Examples Of Tolerance In To Kill A Mockingbird

A Climb into the Skin of Atticus The concept of tolerance is explored in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus represents this theme, he always looks for ways to teach others proper morals and values. Atticus once said, “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” (39). This quote summarizes Atticus’ outlook towards people.

Atticus represents the theme of tolerance in the way he defends Tom Robinson. Tom was accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, and the court appointed Atticus to defend him. However, it is his decision upon whether or not to accept it. Atticus decides to defend him fully, even though he is a black man, instead of labelling his case hopeless. Atticus

Atticus told Scout, “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” (39). Scout doesn’t fully grasp this concept until the end of the book, several years later, where she alludes to Atticus’ saying. The messages she and Jem received on the way helped her come to this understanding. Atticus taught them to respect their elders, no matter how cantankerous they may be. Jem ruined Mrs. Dubose’s flowers after a particularly disrespectful comment about Atticus, and he made Jem read to her. Later, Jem discovers that she was sick and addicted to painkillers. Through this experience, Jem learns not to condemn people right away because everyone is fighting their own battle.

Atticus represents the theme of tolerance all throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a moral man and keeps everyone in check in his society. He represents tolerance in a world full of prejudice. By climbing into another’s skin and considering things from their perspective, he manages to treat even the worst people with