Atticus tells the children several times that they need to walk in someone else's shoes before judging a person. Describe times when Atticus, Jem or Scout walk in someone else's shoes. How does this change how they view the situations? What role does this advice play in sympathy and compassion?
'To Kill a Mockingbird' written by Harper Lee presents how one's emotions and inevitable circumstances affects the interactions that take place among people. Set in the Deep South of America in the 1930's, Atticus, a lawyer and a father attempts to educate his children (Jem and Scout) on how to abide and comprehend people.
At an early stage in the novel, Jem was able to comfortably step in someone else's shoes and view the situation from their perspective. When Jem confronted Scout after she had beat up Walter Cunningham he said, "'Come on home to dinner with us, Walter'" (Lee, Pg 25) Jem with his righteous mind and sense of initiative and maturity allowed himself to change his perspective in a way that would be greatly valued later in the novel.
Atticus Finch, a serene and lion-hearted man who was appointed a challenging case that would test his moral courage. Atticus who was not in any way coerced in his decision to defend Tom Robinson fought with desire and justice. When Scout asked him if he would win the case, Atticus responded, "'Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win'" (Ibid, Pg 84) With Atticus being Atticus he was determined to fight the racism and prejudice and at the same time view the world from another person's perspective.
Scout who had been coerced into the ladies meeting had realised the meticulous ways of what it was like to be a lady. After the horrid announcement of Tom's death, Scout was able to see just how distraught her Aunty was by the shocking new yet still retained her lady ways. Scout thought, "After all, If Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I." (Ibid, Pg 262) Scout allowed herself to place others predicaments and emotions in her perspective that enhanced her own actions and interactions with those who were affected,
Scout who for many seasons and years had wondered what exactly Boo Radley had seen all his life was finally able to 'see' herself. After Scout had graciously walked Boo home, she willingly and curiously stood on Boo's front porch and mentally pictured and captured what Boo had seen all these years through his window, She thought, "Just standing here on the Radley porch was enough" (Ibid, Pg 308) Boo Radley's world was everything outside his four walls. Scout had viewed Boo's world and watched as the seasons passed and how she and Jem had grown older. It was the only life Boo Radley was exposed to.
Harper Lee's novel, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' illustrates how a father and a venerable lawyer can educate his children and other members of the community on how to show empathy towards others. Atticus Finch, the backbone of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was able to encourage and influence others into showing compassion by his own courage employed to battle and persevere against the existence of prejudice and racism in Maycomb County.
SO! What do you think?
This is for a SAC which is like a exam so I really do not want any suggestions because I am not allowed to change it (except for grammatical errors) and I know I will be VERY tempted to!
Did i use specific words correctly?
Did you like it?
Favourite paragraph, parts, sentences?
Overall reviews please!
Thank you so so much!
Thanks for sharing the essay. You had some good thoughts. The overall theme of empathy and compassion is central to the novel's purpose.
Specific words used incorrectly:
- Abide
- Comprehend
- Meticulous
- Venerable
The Good:
- Well-organized paragraphs using specific examples from the novel
- Good transitions at the start of paragraphs
The question is a tough question in that it's probably one of the most frequently used essay questions in America.
Grammatical errors--especially--1)appositives and missing commas 2) conditional would (if something happens later--then it's not conditional) 3) The name of a novel is italicized not in quotation marks
What is the SAC?
Are you from UK or Australia? Have you ever been to the South?
Hey, thank you for reviewing my essay :)
I am from australia and i've been to Texas :)
I actually had a feeling i used those words incorrectly :s
A SAC is a School Assessment Course it is like a SAT if you are from America that is.
Its worth quite a bit of your mark.
Oh and we HAVE to write in the past tense since it is a text response essay (if you know what that is)
