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To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 2 And 3 Analysis

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Atticus states 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.” How is this idea explored in Chapters 2 and 3? Atticus makes a statement which resonates through a vast majority of the novel. It can be clearly represented in chapters 2 and 3, when Scout first goes to school and Walter Cunningham comes to dinner with the Finches. Scout shows a lack of understanding for some characters, as does her teacher, Miss Caroline. This statement explored when Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner with the Finches. When presented with his food, he askes for some molasses and promptly covers the entirety of his dinner in syrup. Scout is shocked by this and protests. Atticus tries to prompt her to stop but she goes on to say “But he’s gone and drowned his dinner in …show more content…

When Scout explains Walter’s situation to her, explaining that the Cunningham’s can’t afford much and never take anything they can’t pay back, and explains that she is embarrassing him, Miss Caroline reacts harshly, tapping Scout’s hand with a ruler and forcing her to stand in a corner. When the Ewell’s case is explained to her, she decides to try and keep Burris in school, however when this backfires, resorts to sending him away again, stating “If you don’t go I’ll call the principal...I’ll have to report this anyway.” This shows her lack of understanding of the townspeople, as she still believes that the principal and herself will be able to keep Burris and the other Ewells in school. It also shows her naivety as a new teacher, as she lacks good knowledge of the local community. This is therefore another representation of how Atticus’ statement can be represented in these chapters, as Miss Caroline does not seem to understand the students, but also makes no effort to try and

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