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To Kill A Mockingbird Empathy Quotes

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“‘... when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things… Atticus, he was real nice….’ … ‘Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.’”(376). Sometimes people’s true personalities are masked by the judgement of the viewer. In “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, two children learn how to “walk in other people’s shoes”. As they grow up, they come to understand other people’s views and emotions by learning about the prejudices that Maycomb County possesses. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem’s character development demonstrates how understanding the prejudices of society can develop empathy. In the beginning, Jem’s lack of empathy is shown through his outbursts of emotion. As Jem and Scout are walking by Mrs. …show more content…

“But Mrs. Dubose held us: ‘Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!’ Jem stiffened. Mrs. Dubose’s shot had gone home and she knew it.”(pg 135). Mrs. Dubose’s insults are caused by the influence of prejudice against African Americans and her cranky attitude for addiction reasons. Jem has not yet learned about the prejudice that Maycomb’s people have and does not understand what Mrs. Dubose’s life is like. Not understanding Mrs. Dubose’s point of view, Jem aggressively destroys her front yard. Jem also allows rumors to cloud his view of Arthur Radley, otherwise known as Boo. Many people in Maycomb fear Boo due to his habit of staying indoors during the day. Their fear causes them to judge Boo as a malevolent person. “Jem gave a reasonable description of Boo: Boo was about six-and-a-half feet …show more content…

Jem has been influenced by rumors of Boo Radley and believed Boo was a monster. However, Jem loses all of these prejudices when he accepts the gifts that are left in the knothole by Boo. As a result he begins to believe Boo is a kind person and even admits that “... he[Boo] ain’t ever harmed us, he ain’t ever hurt us…”(96). Feeling like Boo is seeking attention, Jem attempts to give him a note to ease his loneliness. Jem continues to … Feeling worried for Atticus, Jem decides to leave Atticus alone so that he can focus on the Tom Robinson case. “ insert quote” After hearing about the prejudices of African Americans from school and a description of Scout’s argument with Cecil Jacobs at school, Jem understands that Atticus was under a large amount of

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