Lifestyle In To Kill A Mockingbird

The environment and lifestyle of those around someone can affect the way they grow and change. The behavior of people around them can affect the things they believe and the way they act. The lifestyle of the people in Maycomb in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird greatly affects the way Atticus, Dill, and Scout’s mindsets change. Whether a child or an adult, people are susceptible to the societal norms around them.
The main change in Atticus Finch comes from the growth of his children. Atticus teaches Scout, Jem, and even Dill that being kind to people, no matter how awful they are to you, is always the best way to handle a situation. Scout, at her more immature age, “If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all

At first, Scout is an outspoken, scrappy young girl who doesn’t know much about how to treat others. She invites Walter Cunningham over for lunch one day and ends up judging him for putting syrup on all of his food, which she doesn’t see as normal. Calpurnia pulls her into the kitchen, irate. “She was furious, and when she was furious Calpurnia’s grammar became erratic… ‘That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the tablecloth you let him, you hear?’” (32) This is a defining moment in Scout’s developing maturity. Throughout the book, Aunt Alexandra tries to force Scout into her “young lady” norms, while Scout wants no part of it. However, when Aunt Alexandra has her “society ladies” over, and learns of Tom Robinson’s death, Scout makes an exception to help her Aunt. She brings a tray of cookies to one of Alexandra’s friends who had previously been rude to her and asked her if she would have some. She says, “After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I.” (237) Scout demonstrates her ability to be mature by doing something she dislikes in order to be kind to her Aunt. Later on, after Boo Radley saves her and Jem from Mr. Ewell, Scout realizes how wrong her perceptions of him had been, and thinks of something Atticus said to her. “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.” (374) Scout’s ability to recognize this shows just how much the adults in Scout’s life shape her to be a great