ipl-logo

The Influence Of Perspective In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

599 Words3 Pages

Tenea Hansen
Perspective can impact many factors in a person’s life; whether they are happy or not, how they act, and who they might spend time with. How one thinks about their circumstances and other people can also greatly influence individual’s personal beliefs. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee conveys this idea numerous times through the characters. Three of the protagonists that exemplify this are Dill, Scout and Atticus.

Dill is an excellent example of the idea that an individual’ personal beliefs are affected by his’ or her’s perspective. Scout has to escort Dill out of the courthouse because he feels sick. Outside Dill expresses to her his view on how Mr. Gilmer treated Tom Robinson while questioning him, “...It ain’t right, somehow it ain’t right to do ‘em that way. Hasn’t anybody got any business talkin’ like that-it just makes me sick.” (Lee, page 199). Dill’s perspective was that Mr. Gilmer should not have treated Tom Robinson so obscenely. That instance, his perspective affected his personal beliefs because he began to value equity and believe that everyone deserves courtesy and respect regardless of who they are. Scout also comes to a similar conclusion about how people should be treated and how one …show more content…

In his closing speech to the jury Atticus expressed his perspective on Tom Robinson’s case and the prejudice against all black people. He explains to the jury “... some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men…” (Lee, page 204). He believes all people make mistakes, everyone is human, and that no race is superior than another because of skin colour. Atticus’ perspective goes hand-in-hand with his personal beliefs of equality. All of the personal beliefs of the characters were affected by their

Show More
Related
246 Words | 1 Pages

These thoughts that occur within Scout’s mind are significant because it marks the beginning of her realization of the racism that has been happening. In like manner, Scout also realizes how different things are for colored people compared to white people. “I did not understand Tom’s situation: he

Read More
669 Words | 3 Pages

" By saying this, Atticus is using the appeal of ethos by explaining how the flaws of both black and white men are similar. This effect given was to have the jury see eye to eye with black men and realize in a specific way that their flaws are the same as any white

Read More
909 Words | 4 Pages

Unknown Identities and Assumed Profiles People tend to judge a lot, and worse, judge based on what others say. In the book, To Kill Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, three characters illustrate being victims of others’ false judgments. These individuals reveal little about their past, and so most of the people in Maycomb knew next to nothing about them. As a result, some misinformed folks make up and spread stories and speculations about those individuals’ pasts. Though the gossipers mean no harm, the individuals’ reputations suffer as a result.

Read More
443 Words | 2 Pages

When many children are young, they do things that aren’t right because they don’t know better. In To Kill a Mockingbird, a Southern Gothic novel by Harper Lee, a young, naive girl Scout Finch has many misconceptions about others. Because of her immature ways, she learns many lessons throughout the first five chapters that alter her perception of others. To begin, Scout receives a lesson from Calpurnia. When Walter Cunningham joins the Finch family for supper, Scout mocks him for pouring syrup all over his food; as a consequence, Calpurnia speaks to her privately and reminds her that she should not be “remark[ing] on [a guest’s] ways” as if she is superior (Lee, 33).

Read More
261 Words | 2 Pages

Atticus fights for Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white girl. Although Atticus gets backlash for defending Robinson, he continues to fight for equality. When he speaks to the jury he says, “... in our courts all men are created equal” (274). By using a stern tone, Atticus makes it clear that he expects a fair trial for Robinson and that he should not be discriminated against due to his race. In addition, he states that “when

Read More
814 Words | 4 Pages

To Kill A Mockingbird You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view - Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. My topics were how is empathy demonstrated or learned by Atticus, How is Empathy demonstrated by Scout and How is empathy demonstrated or learned by Jem. How is empathy shown throughout the characters among the storyline? Atticus believes that not only black people but everyone deserves a fair go whether it's a court case or not.

Read More
1113 Words | 5 Pages

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest novels of its time period. Throughout the book, several stereotypes appear within many of the characters and events that happen. The story of To Kill a Mockingbird is primarily about a young girl named Scout whose father is a lawyer defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. She lives in a small Southern town that is shaken by the trial, because the man could not have physically committed the crime.

Read More
517 Words | 3 Pages

The protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird Scout is confused and in quite the dreadful state. She had an exhausting 1st day at school and she is contemplating why she is even going to school anymore. From her point of view, her father doesn’t have a degree level education. Young Scout is confused on why others seemingly do as they please; she doesn’t enjoy going to school where her very teacher is not tolerant of Scout. Atticus, her father, has some ideas to share with Scout about seeing from another person’s eyes.

Read More
1019 Words | 5 Pages

Literature can be analyzed with many different critical lenses. While analyzing To Kill a Mockingbird, one may use a critical lens to recognize the different ideas throughout the novel. Harper Lee’s novel demonstrates her perspective on intolerance and discrimination within the early twentieth century. Firstly, intolerance of people who are different is very prevalent within the novel.

Read More
1137 Words | 5 Pages

Throughout the novel, Scout is faced with situations that challenge her understanding and compassion for others, particularly in the context of racism and misogyny. For instance, when Scout learns about the treatment of Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of rape, she is forced to confront the reality of racial injustice and question her beliefs about fairness and justice. As she becomes more aware of how racism and misogyny pervade her community, she experiences a growing sense of frustration and anger, struggling to reconcile her empathy with the harsh realities of the world around her. In the novel, Lee attempts to explores the concept that empathy is not always easy but is a continuous journey of growth and self-reflection. Through Scout's struggles, the novel highlights how privilege and power can blind individuals to the experiences of others and the importance of examining one's own biases and prejudices to cultivate a deeper understanding and empathy.

Read More
1376 Words | 6 Pages

[A simpler, more general version of prejudice is simply the idea of perspective. Scout is first introduced to the idea of perspective with Atticus when he tries to cheer her up about school and the events of that day. The first time it is mentioned she does not quite get what it means, and tries to apply her new knowledge in situations she encounters. It is not until her encounter with Boo Radley at the end that she truly grasps the concept.] The concept of perspective is the most impactful and applicable lesson Scout learns for her current age.

Read More
693 Words | 3 Pages

Atticus Finch was a lawyer that had to be exploitive if he wanted to win cases. When he gave a closing argument for the case of Tom Robinson, he had to find a way to persuade his audience. Instead of making his speech specifically about Tom Robinson, Atticus stated that some people of a race may lie, but that is true for all humans, no matter what the color of their skin is. Atticus said that, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” (Lee, 30). He believed that you shouldn’t judge someone’s actions until

Read More
658 Words | 3 Pages

In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout’s unique first person point of view thoroughly advances character, conflict, as well as setting. First, Scout’s first person perspective grows the element of character. To demonstrate, young Scout articulates, “I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were gettin’ way above themselves, an’ the next thing they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home” (Lee 331). As a child who is intrigued by the world around her, Scout grows exponentially as a character.

Read More
988 Words | 4 Pages

To understand an individual, it is necessary to place ourselves in their shoes. In the novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, the author addresses the need for human understanding in order to destroy the evils of racial prejudice. Scout, the main character, is the representation of innocence due to being a pure, young girl who views her surroundings with an untainted perspective. She is inclined to consider people’s point of view in order to understand them. She is taught this by her father, Atticus, who risks everything as a lawyer to defend a black man who is accused for a crime that he did not commit.

Read More
994 Words | 4 Pages

Perspective and beliefs have a huge effect in the world and especially back in the 1930s. This is about the perspective on Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird and how it affects his beliefs. He has three quotes that really explain how perspective and beliefs that affect their everyday lives. The first quote is, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

Read More

More about The Influence Of Perspective In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Related Topics

Open Document