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Examples Of Compassion In To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird: Compassion and Change Compassion is an emotion that can help change the lives of others. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird the protagonists express compassion, causing them to learn about the grim truths of the world around them. Jem is empathetic when he invites Walter Cunningham Jr. over for dinner, and in recognizing the racist county they live in, he learns that in Maycomb, people do not care about who you are on the inside. Scout is compassionate when she respects Boo for his shy nature, and when she stands up for Walter Cunningham Jr. learning that not every family is a privileged one. Atticus shows sympathy by helping Mrs. Dubose get over her addiction and by defending Tom Robinson in court, in doing …show more content…

After Scout fights Walter Cunningham Jr., Jem breaks up the fight and invites Walter over for dinner, he says, “‘Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,’ he said. ‘We’d be glad to have you’”(Lee 31). Jem shows compassion and feels pity towards Walter, considering Scout just beat him up. Jem knows that the Cunningham family is poor and Walter may not have had a proper meal in a long time. Jem also shows compassion when he learns the verdict of the trial; that Tom Robinson is guilty. Scout recounts “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd” (284). Jem was sure they would win the trial and he is upset when they do not. He feels pity for Tom Robinson because he is not deserving of his punishment. From this compassion, Jem’s world changes when he learns that in Maycomb most people only see who you are on the outside. Most of Maycomb’s society only cares about the colour of your skin and your economic status. In the trial, Tom Robinson is an innocent man. However, he is black, so naturally, the jury calls him guilty. Also, when Walter Cunningham Jr. comes over for dinner both Jem and Scout realize what life is like for Walter. When he is eating he asks for

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