The Role Of Perception In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is an inspiring read that displays how others point of view can change the perspective of others. Throughout the book, many of the characters perception of other characters can change the aspect of a persona. For example, Arthur Radley, also known as Boo, is perceived as a very mean person. Also, Tom Robinson is accused of being a rapist. Finally, the town’s people perceive many characters such as Dolphus Raymond, for being an alcoholic. The power of perception has changed the way many of the characters in the book view others represented in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Perception is a way of understanding or interpreting something; your impression or thought regarding something or someone

For example, Mr. Dolpus Raymond is perceived as a drunken person. Jem said, “How c’n you stand to get drunk ‘fore eight in the morning?” (Lee 158). This shows that Jem was implying this comment towards Dolpus since his is the only character that is an intense alcoholic. But in reality Dolpus was only drinking Coca-Cola. After Raymond offered Dill the ‘alcoholic beverage’, “Dill released the straws and grinned. ‘Scout its nothing but Coca-Cola’” (Lee 200). This proves that when everyone believed he was drunk, he was not. As the saying goes, do not judge a book by its cover. Moving on, Atticus is perceived as a very weak person. Both his kids, Jem and Scout, believed that, “Atticus was feeble…[and the kids] felt reflected upon his abilities and manliness.” (Lee 89) This shows that Jem and Scout’s perspective of Atticus is that he was not manly. They later find out that he is not only to be proven more masculine, but also displayed true bravery. In reality, he was known as the best shot in Maycomb County! There was a chapter in the book which shows that Atticus shoots the mad dog. Miss Maudie says, “I saw that One-Shot Finch” (Lee 97)! This shows that Atticus is a totally different person compared to what Scout and Jem pictured. After watching Atticus shoot the gun, the kid’s perspective of Atticus and bravery changes