Examine the following quotes with reference
to their significance in the particular context of the novel as well as the
literary function they may perform in terms of plot, character or setting.
- “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.” ( chap 5)
- 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. ( Chap 3)
- “Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” ( chap 1)
2)This important snippet of conversation from Chapter 3 finds Atticus giving Scout the crucial piece of moral advice that governs her development for the rest of the novel. The simple wisdom of Atticus’s words reflects the uncomplicated manner in which he guides himself by this sole principle. His ability to relate to his children is manifested in his restatement of this principle in terms that Scout can understand (“climb into his skin and walk around in it”). Scout struggles, with varying degrees of success, to put Atticus’s advice into practice and to live with sympathy and understanding toward others. At the end of the book, she succeeds in comprehending Boo Radley’s perspective, fulfilling Atticus’s advice in Chapter 3 and providing the novel with an optimistic ending despite the considerable darkness of the plot.
ReplyDeleteAtticus's advice "to climb into someone's skin and walk around in it" is a little more Silence of the Lambs than the typical advice to walk a mile in someone's shoes, but the idea is the same: compassion is based on sympathy, on being able to put yourself in the other person's place and understand why they act the way they do even if you don't agree with it.
The quote, “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” was said by Atticus Finch to his daughter, Scout. He told her this during a conversation between the two about her teacher. She said that her teacher had told her that her father had taught her how to read wrong, and this was his response. The quote means that until you actually put yourself in someone else’s place, you won’t understand them properly. You might think that someone is acting strange or rude, but if you were in their place, that might be how you would act too. This quote relates to the rest of the book, because throughout the whole story, the children are trying to get Boo Radley to come out of his house. They think that it’s strange that he never leaves his house, and they have never seen him before. At the end of the story, Scout meets Boo and she sees him for the first time. After walking him back to his house, she stood on his porch and looked at the rest of the neighborhood. There, she finally understood him. She saw what it would be like to sit there and see the neighbors, and to watch the kids playing games in their yard. Just standing on Mr. Radley’s front porch helped her to understand him a little better.
ReplyDelete1)Miss Maudie is saying that Atticus is the same person on the street as he is in the privacy of his home. He to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard,” I said, feeling it my duty to defend my parent.is not a hypocrite who says one thing to one set of people in one setting, and says something different to a different set of people in another setting. The man you see in private settings is the man you see in public. Atticus, she is stating, is a genuine individual who treats everyone the same. He is not two-faced, and you can take him at his word.
The quote means that Atticus Finch does not change his feelings, personality and moral when he is in his house and when he is in public. In a small town like Maycomb County, rumors tend to travel fast, and everyone knows each others business, but the one place where rumors never spread are behind the closed doors to a house. But these rules do not apply to Atticus Finch, because he has nothing to hide, and he is the same great, caring person that he is when he is in the town center. Atticus is the same man wherever he goes, unlike a lot of people
While talking to Miss Maudie, Harper Lee shows the reader how the Finch's are a normal family in Maycomb, and makes the Radley house even more mysterious; by doing both these things she increases our understanding of the setting. When Scout goes to spend time with Miss Maudie, Scout says that: "Atticus don't ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don't do in the yard." (61) Miss Maudie then says “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets." (61) If he is the same in private as he is in public, Harper Lee shows that he has nothing to hide. She shows that everybody knows everything about Atticus, and his family. This is true about everybody in the town except for the Radleys. Harper Lee makes the Radley place more mysterious. Also if the Finch's are the same in public as in private, everybody knows about them, and what they do. This is also shown when Scout is in school and knows about each kid and their family. But again, the only house that no one knows what happens inside is the Radley house.
3) Since Scout has no mother, Calpurnia takes on the motherly role. Atticus considers her the main authority in his house, and makes his children mind her.
ReplyDeleteScout does not always get along well with Calpurnia. She thinks Cal is way too strict.
Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember. (ch 1)
Calpurnia also taught Scout to write, and used it to reinforce Biblical lessons.
In Calpurnia's teaching, there was no sentimentality: I seldom pleased her and she seldom rewarded me. (ch 2)
Calpurnia makes sure that Scout behaves morally. For example, when Scout insults Walter Cunningham Jr. for pouring syrup on his food, Calpurnia reprimands her.
There's some folks who don't eat like us … but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?" (ch 3)
When Scout objects that he’s just a Cunningham, meaning he is poor, she tells Scout that anyone who comes into her house is her company.
Throughout the book, Calpurnia is the voice of reason and a moral presence in Scout’s life. Even though she is black, Scout trusts her and respects her, even if she sometimes finds it hard to live with her.
Calpurnia is the Finch's housekeeper and cook. She is a coloured woman but possesses a good deal of common sense and knowledge. She has been working in the house ever since Jem was born and after Scout's mother dies, she becomes a substitutory disciplinary figure in the house. Atticus knows that Calpurnia is an invaluable teacher to the children, and that is why he refuses to fire her, despite his sister's insistence. Calpurnia is much loved and respected by the two children and she is almost a member of their family. Calpurnia's role is especially invaluable to Scout, who in the absence of any female figure in the household, grows up as a tomboy. Calpurnia's major role in the novel is as a mentor to Scout. In the first chapter Scout introduces her as:
DeleteShe was all angles and bones. She was near-sighted; she squitned; her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard. She was always ordering me out of the kitchen, asking me why I could not behave as well as Jem when she knew he was older, and calling me home when I wasn't ready to come. Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.
When Walter Cunnigham Jr. is invited to lunch at the Finches' and Scout inadvertantly embarrass him, Calpurnia tells Scout:
Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em - if you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!
Her moral lesson to Scout here is to respect people, even if you think you are better than them. According to her, acting like you are better them is the surest way to show that you are not. This dialogue foreshadows Bob Ewell's bad behaviour to the Robinson family, just because they are black, while the truth Tom and Helen Robinson and their children live a more hygenic, independent and god-fearing life, than the Ewells.
Calpurnia was a well-educated woman.
Atticus said Calpurnia had more education than most coloured folks
Miss Maudie Atknison's aunt taught Calpurnia to read and write. However, despite having a better command on language than most of her congregation, she never puts on airs, and instead prefers talkin in broken English or what Scout calls 'nigger-talk' because she does not want her peers to feel that she is putting on airs. Atticus too respects Calpurnia's guiding presence in his children's life and he firmly defends her against his sister Aunt Alexandra.
Anything fit to say at the table's fit to say in front of Calpurnia. She knows waht she means to this family.
1. “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.” ( chap 5)
ReplyDeleteIn her novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Harper Lee uses the title as a metaphor for several events and people, the most apparent one being Boo Radley. Boo Radley is a mysterious character who not only sparks Jem’s and Scout’s curiosity but also keeps the reader hooked, leaving him/her wanting to know more. On one such instance, when the children were trying to find out more about Boo Radley from Miss Maudie Atkinson, Scout says “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard”, in a defensive streak, against Miss Maudie’s accusation – “The things that people do we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-”.
The seemingly innocent quote gives the readers insight into the lives and characters of Arthur and his father, as well as Atticus Finch. It implies that since Atticus didn’t do anything to Jem and Scout inside the house that he wouldn’t do to them in the yard, there were other people who did and that he was an exception, an idea repeated several times in the novel. It helps us notice the deep contrast between the atmosphere’s of the Finch household and the Radley Place, which was shrouded in an atmosphere of mystery and secrecy.
Arthur Radley’s father was a ‘foot-washing Baptist’- someone who believed that ‘anything that’s pleasure is a sin’. He also chose not to send Arthur to industrial school, as he thought it was a ‘disgrace’, and kept him under permanent house arrest. He was reprimanded for things that every boy his age did, all in the fear of society. Thus, his father would never treat him the same way in the yard, as he did at home.
Atticus Finch, on the other hand, raised his children in an atmosphere of openness and independence. He was not affected by what society thought and tried to inculcate the same feeling in his children. If he believed he was doing the right thing, he was not afraid of doing it in front of everybody, and if couldn’t do it openly, he wouldn’t do it at all. Thus, he became an example for his children, and helped shape them into individuals who would always do what they felt was right, without the fear of society. This also foretells Atticus’s act of fighting Tom Robbinson’s case, despite garnering society’s opposition, and in spite of having prior knowledge of the fact that he would not win the case.
Thus through the quote, Harper Lee not only contrasts the atmospheres of the Radley and Finch households, but also restates how Atticus was different from society at large. She also gives us a deeper understanding of Atticus as a parent, and more importantly, as a human being. The quote also implies the grave circumstances that Arthur Radley had to grow up in and the impact it had on his life and society’s perspective of him.
1)Atticus Finch, the central character in Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, is an epitomic character- he is level-headed, rational and maintains the same personality in both his public life and his private life. It is this fact that is, most importantly, highlighted in this statement by Scout Finch. ‘Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard,’ she says.
ReplyDeleteBy saying this, she wishes to assert that her father is not a hypocrite, that he is a man of principle who maintains a uniform identity and does not bend his principles to fit in or to keep himself out of harm. It is, perhaps, this attribute, that reveals itself later in the novel when Atticus chooses to fight for Tom Robinson, on principle, against a Maycomb County he knew was not supporting him. Atticus realizes that he will not win the case, yet he fights for the sake of the truth. Atticus is not a hypocrite; he cannot preach and then refuse to practice. This is why he says, in connection to fighting Tom Robinson’s case, ‘If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town (…), I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’ This quality of Atticus Finch is integral to the plot, as it leads him to go against the majority and stand up for what he believes is right, thus creating the framework for a major chunk of the story.
Scout seems to say this almost immediately, with little or no hesitation and immense confidence, so readers realize that this was not a trick to save face or to keep up the family reputation (concepts which Scout possibly had no awareness of anyway), but indeed the solid truth. This is a reflection of both Scout’s loyalty towards her father and Atticus’ upbringing of his children. While Scout finds it her ‘duty to defend (her) parent’, she is naturally influenced by the society around her, the society with ‘closed doors’ and people like the Radleys who have unfathomable secrets to hide. Miss Maudie says about the Radleys- ‘The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets –‘ To this, Scout instantly replies by defending her father, so a comparison is established between the two- between the open lifestyle of Atticus Finch and the convoluted identity of the Radleys.
This dialogue acts as indirect characterization for Scout and direct characterization for Atticus Finch. It is established that Atticus is a man with genuine, consistent opinions and beliefs, and that he has nothing to hide from society. Scout is also characterized by this dialogue- she is loyal and defensive. It is Atticus who has had that kind of influence on his children- they see him as the perfect man, and idolize their father to an extent that a generalization like ‘everyone has secrets’ makes them rush to defend their father and assert that he is definitely the exception.
All in all, this dialogue is essential in characterization, plot establishment and has an element of foreshadowing. The genuineness of Atticus Finch faced with the hypocrisy of the law and Maycomb County mirrors a conflict that exists even today, and this attribute is perhaps the reason that Atticus Finch is a character who is remembered and revered till date, making the novel a relevant one even in modern times.
ReplyDelete2)On Scout’s first day of school, her teacher Miss Caroline hands Walter Cunningham a quarter for lunch. Walter Cunningham comes from a poor family, a family who could clearly not afford something for Walter’s lunch, and certainly not a quarter to pay Miss Caroline back. To Scout, this fact is very evident- everyone in Maycomb knows that the Cunninghams are poor and if the teacher tried to hand Walter a quarter, Scout instantly assumes that the teacher was at fault.
When she comes home and tells Atticus this incident, Atticus says ‘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.’
He explains to Scout how the teacher was new to Maycomb County- they could not expect her to learn all of Maycomb’s ways in one day, and they ‘could not hold her responsible when she knew no better.’ He establishes that it was an ‘honest mistake’ on her part- Atticus Finch, here, is not referring to one isolated incident that took place one day at school. He is trying to instil in his daughter the values that make Atticus who he is. Atticus Finch himself is a man who stands firmly for what he believes is right, a man whose principles are firm and clear. Atticus is the one man in the story who seems to be completely untainted with human prejudice, and this is what sets him apart from the rest.
He tells his daughter to put herself into others’ shoes, to try and realize why they did something they did or to understand what triggered them into a certain course of action. He encourages her to look at situations from others’ eyes and then judge whether or not they are at fault- a quality of impartiality and absolute absence of bias. This reflects Atticus, both as a person and a parent. He is careful with his words- eloquent and simple, and manages to get across to his six-year-old daughter a concept that is extremely difficult even for fully grown adults to understand.
This lesson, taught by Atticus Finch to his six-year-old daughter, comes into play later in the story, as Atticus puts himself into the shoes of a black man, Tom Robinson, realizes his innocence, and fights his case for him. Atticus Finch knows the widespread prejudice against the African-Americans, yet he is able to detach himself from this mass thinking and look at the situation from Tom Robinson’s point of view. This is what establishes Atticus Finch as an exemplary person, parent and lawyer.
To Scout, this brings to light a different realization. ‘I’ll be dogged,’ she says, as she understands the fault in her perceptions. This brings to a start a certain process, a certain coming of age and mental development that is one of the key aspects of the book.
This dialogue also becomes very significant when, at the end of the book, Scout repeats it. "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,” she says. The book comes a full circle as Scout stands on the porch of the Radley house and realizes that the man she spent her childhood running from is only human, that he too is an innocent mockingbird who knew nothing but to love. This quotation becomes almost symbolic of a certain sense of maturity, and when Scout repeats them to herself, the reader is made aware of how Scout has, in many senses of the word, finally grown up.
3)Scout introduces the readers to herself in Harper Lee’s characteristic style of saying a little, and leaving a little for readers to deduce. With Calpurnia, however, she establishes a direct relationship. ‘Calpurnia, our cook’, she begins, and goes on to talk about how she was ‘something else again.’ Calpurnia is a character that has an immense influence in Scout throughout the novel. The way Scout’s relationship with her changes from that of considering her a ‘tyrannical figure’ to a friend and a companion reflects Scout’s coming of age and how she begins to understand people better.
ReplyDeleteCalpurnia is a key figure in the novel, and she was ‘ordering (Scout) out of the kitchen’ or chastising her for the mistakes she made. When Walter Cunningham comes for lunch and Scout laughs at his habit of pouring molasses over his food, Calpurnia firmly admonishes her for doing so and makes it clear that Scout was wrong, and she should never do that again. She punishes Scout, or perhaps secretly protects her, by making her continue eating inside the kitchen itself. 'There's some folks who don't eat like us,' she whispered fiercely, 'but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?’ she says, asserting her right over Scout and making firmly sure that her mistakes are pointed out so she does not make them again.
‘Atticus always took her side’, Scout says, and this is a reflection of Atticus’ character and the ideals that he stands for. Calpurnia is black and works for Atticus, yet he has given her the freedom to oversee his children. She even teaches Scout how to write, being ‘more educated than most coloured folk’, as Atticus firmly points out. Atticus is not biased and does not mistreat or look down upon Calpurnia because of this; on the contrary, he greatly respects her and says ‘We couldn’t go a single day without Cal, have you ever thought of that?’ He tells Scout firmly, ‘You think about how much Cal does for you and you mind her, do you hear?’ Aunt Alexandra often tells Atticus to fire Calpurnia, yet he pays no heed. Atticus is therefore, firm with his children and inculcates the same respect for people, of colour or otherwise, in his children that he possesses himself. This thus establishes Atticus as a role model.
Scout Finch consistently argues with Calpurnia, disagrees with her, and fights with her, yet she considers her a ‘faithful member of the family.’ There is a love-hate relationship between Scout and Calpurnia, and the slight humour and childish tone of Scout makes readers smile. This sentence also reflects the immaturity in Scout’s voice, which soon develops into something stronger and more sensible as the novel progresses.
All in all, Calpurnia is a character who has an immense influence on the Finches. She is firm, kind and motherly- that mother figure which Jem and Scout did not have. They do have disagreements and rows, but in the end the children are extremely fond of Calpurnia and so is she- it is a kind of relationship that is built with time, loyalty and trust. Atticus too is very respectful of Calpurnia and, as is established later in the novel, knows how to treat people inferior to him, whether in social status, or otherwise. This line, therefore, characterizes Atticus, Scout and Calpurnia in different ways, and gives readers an important insight into the functioning of the Finch household.
1. Although the Finch siblings are shown to be growing up in a cosseted, not particularly liberal Southern neighbourhood with its charitable share of Conservative bigotry, prejudice, racism, and strict and suffocating piety, i.e. with a sizeable quota of negative influence, we see that their father battles these corrosive ideas singlehandedly on a daily basis and therefore the goodness of the example that he sets before his children almost nullifies the darkness around them. The observant, impressionable and ingenuous Scout Finch, whose gradual coming of age “To Kill a Mockingbird” traces affectionately, adores, respects and hero-worships her father, Atticus Finch, as does her brother Jem. She’s loyal and faithful towards him and along with her sibling, tries her best to emulate him.
ReplyDeleteThe character of Miss Maudie Atkinson is also representative of the good and open-minded influence that these children were fortunate to receive on their upbringing. While talking to the children on the subject of Boo-which she corrects to “Arthur”-Radley, she treats the issue with sensitivity and concern instead of malicious curiosity and speculation, and says, “The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets—” On hearing this, the young Scout, reacts with an endearing defensiveness and says “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.” This reveals her unflinching trust and faith in her father, and since she’s only a child and much too young to give a calculated response after due deliberation, the spontaneity of her reaction hints at her earnestness and at the truthfulness of her perception. Atticus Finch’s treatment of his children and peers, neighbours et al is the very essence of this novel and builds the foundation of morality on which his children start out their journey into adolescence. By this statement, Scout means to assert the fact that her father is exactly “the same in his house as he is on the public streets” and that there is no dichotomy whatsoever in his public and private personas. He is a man who is honest, and true to himself, and it is this integrity and complete lack of hypocrisy in his nature that gives him credibility in his children’s eyes and to society in general. This direct characterisation of Atticus Finch offered by Scout, foreshadows the stance he takes regarding Tom Robinson and his decision to fight for him, defying the prevalent societal mores and knowing full well that he would lose. The justification he gave was that he would never be able to succeed in his role as a responsible and well-loved parent if he weren’t true to himself, and that he wouldn’t be able to set an example for his children if he were fearful of society’s expectations and wrath.
This quote also offers a deep insight into the sharp contrast between the upbringing of Jem and Scout Finch, and that of the unfortunate Boo Radley. Boo Radley’s father was “a foot-washing Baptist”, and in Calpurnia’s candid opinion, “the meanest man ever God blew breath into”, who was more intent on saving face in society by not sending his son to industrial school than ensuring the recovery of the misled adolescent. He had locked his son up in their house for fifteen years and had hence deprived him of an adolescence, a youth, a chance to evaluate and understand society in his own way and the freedom of thought and movement that is the prerogative of every living individual.
Miss Maudie of course had not meant to include Atticus Finch in the list of people who kept secrets behind closed doors, but the loyal Scout thought it imperative to mention that her father was in no way one of them. This quote helps establish the character of Atticus, as also that of Scout and paves the way for the development of the central themes in the novel.
1)
ReplyDeleteIn Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, Atticus Finch represents morality and reason. He is true to his morals regardless of what four walls enclose him, the ones in his house or the ones of the society. He is in no way a hypocrite for he always stands true to his words of reason and his word is the same for his own family and for others. One of the things that a good friend of the family admits about him is that “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets”.
Lee uses a rather effective literary device to emphasize this trait of Atticus’s character through the words of his daughter Scout. The device that he uses is known as analogy in which the author compares the behavior of Atticus inside and outside of his home. In the conversation that Miss Maudie has with Scout about Boo Radley, she tries her best to debunk any prejudice that the child might have developed as a result of “gossip”. She tells them “The things that people do we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-“. Her purpose of saying these things is not to point fingers, but to make Scout understand that things aren’t always as they seem and thus, respecting everyone rather than judging without reason would be wiser. However, the innocent mind of Scout applies this logic to her own life and immediately becomes defensive for she realizes that she’d never experienced such a grey area in her home. Her father had always been a man of honor and had portrayed every answer and every statement in black and white. And so she states “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.”
Thus, this statement spoken by Scout in reference to her family life is a clear testament of the character of Atticus Finch. His integrity is what allows him to live an honest life, one without any pretence or deceit. This conversation not only helps us in the direct characterization of Atticus but also establishes the setting and background of the novel. It is made clear that while Atticus is honorable and genuine, the society is not what has encouraged him to be so. In the small town of Maycomb, nothing was as its people portrayed it to be, especially the rumors about Boo Radley.
It is hence made apparent that the reader has the revelation of a number of truths to look forward to as the doors to the houses are pried open. Harper lee thus embeds a hook and gives us an insight into the manner in which the children are being molded in in the Atticus household at the same time.
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ReplyDelete2. Scout Finch’s first day at school is not the most enjoyable by any standards, but it definitely sets her off on a learning curve, where she’s thrown into the melting pot of society, and is brought into close contact with the thoughts, concerns, and lives of other people. When the teacher, the oblivious and pitifully clueless Miss Caroline notices that a student called Walter Cunningham has not brought any lunch, she gives him a quarter so he can go and buy something to eat. When the boy refuses to accept it, Miss Caroline is aghast at what she supposes to be his stubbornness and insolence. Now any inhabitant of Maycomb County would know that “The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back,”, as Scout most generously explains, sharing some of “her special knowledge of the Cunningham tribe” but Miss Caroline gets so upset about this miscommunication and misunderstanding and is so mortified at having to hear an explanation from a small child that she punishes Scout forthwith. The next chapter opens with Scout rubbing Walter Cunningham’s nose in the dirt, in order to punish him for it was due to her attempt to defend him that she had gotten into trouble herself. To make up for this little impulsiveness and indiscretion on the part of his sister, the maturing Jem Scout, who is evidently growing to be more and more like his father, asks Walter to join the Finches for dinner at their home.
ReplyDeleteThe Cunninghams were a poor family who survived on very little, and therefore had lower status than most families in Maycomb County, including that of the Finches. But on their way home, Scout and Jem develop such an effortless friendliness towards the poor boy Walter, that by the time they had reached their front steps, he had “forgotten he was a Cunningham”. Here, Harper Lee means to show how immaterial and easy to overcome class distinctions are to children and that it is the adult world that takes comfort in creating these oppressive, divisive structures. At the dinner table when Walter eats untidily and Scout makes a tactless remark about it, she is reprimanded by Calpurnia, and it is through lessons like these that Scout learns to grow more understanding of the differing ways in which people are forced to live their lives. Atticus accords this child as much respect as he pays everybody, setting an admirable example for his children, as ever.
When at the end of the day, Scout comes to her father and recounts her unpleasant experience with Miss Caroline, Atticus says, “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.” This is the crucial lesson in compassion, understanding and empathy that Scout receives, which later becomes a significant theme of the novel. Atticus explains to her that the teacher was new in the neighbourhood and that her actions were justifiable- Scout “could not hold her responsible when she knew no better.” By doing this, he gave his young and naive daughter a glimpse into the importance of sensitivity in one’s dealings with other people, and the significance of respecting other points of view in order to form a more comprehensive, holistic, and healthy opinion about things.
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DeleteContinuation of Answer 2:
DeleteThis statement is also useful in explaining Atticus’ thought process when he decided to defend Tom Robinson. This was a black man in Southern America, faced with rampant discrimination but discrimination which was so deeply embedded and conditioned into the social structure of the times that it was difficult for even the most enlightened and educated to see it for what it was. But Atticus Finch had put himself in this man’s shoes and despite popular opinion, was convinced that he was innocent. Subsequently, he had taken the rare yet, in this case, characteristic decision to fight a losing battle.
This quote of course, most importantly, will later be applied in the context of the treatment that should have been meted out to the misunderstood, and unjustly demonised Boo Radley- the mockingbird of this novel- who had been starved for love, affection and nourishment all his life and was just as normal and good a human being as Scout and Jem Finch ever were. This statement also goes a long way in encapsulating the idea that lies at the crux at this novel: that if given love and understanding, every human being can be good in the true sense of the word but it is because of the lack of this very human compassion that some lives are ruined forever.
3. Calpurnia, the cook and caretaker of the Finch household (only at face value, because her actual role surpasses those labels), plays an integral and irreplaceable part in the upbringing of Scout and Jem Finch and in the shaping of their personalities. Scout, who claims "Calpurnia was something else again" and who was wary of her hand which was “ wide as a bed slat and twice as hard”, rows with Calpurnia frequently but underneath that veneer of dislike, Scout and Jem Finch shared a deep and special bond with this woman, such as one they would have shared with the mother they never got to know. Calpurnia is a strict disciplinarian and has been entrusted with the responsibility of looking after his children by Atticus Finch. She is his long-time employee, and a black woman yet Atticus treats her as an equal and always gives her verdict precedence over his beloved children’s. He knew and acknowledged that she was more educated than most other African- Americans of the time and when goaded by his daughter with appeals to fire her, he would remind her how absolutely indispensable she was in their lives. In one such situation, he says firmly, “We couldn’t operate a single day without Cal, have you ever thought of that? You think about how much Cal does for you and you mind her, do you hear?” This again reveals the complete absence of bias and prejudice in the character of Atticus Finch, who doesn't hesitate a moment before giving respect where it is due.
ReplyDeleteOne day, after school, Walter Cunningham is invited to the Finch household for dinner. The Cunninghams were an impoverished family, who were the worst affected by the Great Depression. He was therefore not well-versed with table manners, having so little to eat at home in the first place. When Scout seems him eating untidily and creating a sorry mess, she makes a tactless and impudent remark, following which she says, most ominously, “It was then that Calpurnia requested my presence in the kitchen.” Calpurnia reprimands Scout severely, saying, “That boy’s yo’ company and if wants to eat up the table-cloth you let him, you hear?”. This lesson, underlined by the statement “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us but you ain’t called on to contradict’em at the table when they don’t”, is an essential one in sensitivity, adjustment and tolerance, and it is the very same lesson that Atticus too tries to teach his children. This shows that Calpurnia shared Atticus Finch’s ideas and that is the reason Atticus trusted her with as much power to admonish and discipline his children as he himself possessed.
The positive influence of Calpurnia, whom Scout initially considered a "tyrannical figure” but gradually grew to love, and appreciate, played a key role in the Finch siblings’ childhood. It is to be noted that Scout’s first year of school had “wrought a great change” in their relationship and she says, “Calpurnia’s tyranny, unfairness, and meddling in my business had faded to gentle grumblings of general disapproval”. This could be taken to mean that her understanding and respect for Calpurnia grew with her maturity, and was as much a part of her gradual bildungsroman as realising the truth about Boo Radley and facing the tragedy of Tom Robinson.
3) In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, we are introduced to Calpurnia by Scout Finch as their 'cook', who goes on to say that ''Calpurnia was something else.''
ReplyDeleteCalpurnia acts as a substitute mother for Jem and Scout and has been looking after them since their mother's death. However, Scout, sees Calpurnia less as a human being than as a force of nature that runs up against all her all to often, someone who wins battles not because she is right but because she has the might and Atticus in support.
Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian who has been given the authority to correct the children whenever they are wrong, by Atticus. She would scold Scout when she was at fault and on the other hand, pamper her when she senced that Scout's day 'had been a grim one'.
During the Finch's dinner with Walter Cunningham, when Scout keeps remarking on his ways of eating, Calpurnia requests her presence in the kitchen as she was furious at Scout and teaches her that she is not suppose to "contradict 'em on the table" ordering her to "eat in the kitchen".
One day, when Scout returns from school and Calpurnia realises that she had had a bad day, she makes crackling bread for Scout as she knows, she used to love it. "I missed you today. The house got so lone-some 'long about 2 o' clock I had to turn on the radio", she goes on to say, bends down and kisses Scout. This shows how much she cares for Scout and how she has got used to her presence. However, Scout misinterprets her actions and runs along wondering 'what had come over her.' Then she comes to the conclusion that Calpurnia ''had wanted to make up with me, that was it. She had always been too hard on me, she had atlast seen the error of her fractious ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so."
"Atticus always took her side." Thisbis what Scout says and it shows how he supports Calpurnia. It is Atticus who has given Calpurnia the responsibility of his children, who do not realise but are completely dependent on Calpurnia to the extend of not being able to function a single day without Calpurnia. When Scout advises Atticus of Calpurnia's iniquities, he says "I've no intention of getting rid of her now or ever. We couldn't operate a single day without Cal."
Thus, even though Calpurnia is a cook, she is given a lot of importance and plays a significant role in the life of the children as well as that of Atticus.
ReplyDeletePRANAVI BOSE-
“Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.” ( chapter 5 )
1) In Chapter Five of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is having a conversation with Miss Maudie Atkinson, the Finch family’s neighbor and friend. Scout admires Miss Maudie, and looks to her for explanations and advice regarding the events that surround her, including her father’s place in the community. When the subject turns to the mysterious figure of Arthur “Boo” Radley, Scout asks whether Miss Maudie thinks he is crazy, and whether people present different fronts depending upon their surroundings. Boo Radley, of course, is a reclusive figure whose life is the subject of constant speculation among the town’s people. Replying to the young girl’s question regarding Boo Radley’s sanity, Miss Maudie states, “If he’s not [crazy] he should be by now. The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-”
Scout, then, observes that her father never presents different personalities or appearances to different people, prompting Maudie’s observation regarding Atticus:“Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard,” I said, feeling it my duty to defend my parent.
It means that Atticus Finch is not a hypocrite. It means that he respects everyone, whether they are his children, his relatives, his neighbors, his colleagues, the townspeople, etc. He is not two-faced, wearing one face while at home, and the other face while out in public. He is a man of his word, and his word is the same for his own family and for others . Atticus is very straightforward, with no hidden agenda. Evidence that shows how Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is in public is how he doesn't change the way he acts no matter way he is. Throughout the book so far, he seems to be a caring, kind, good person that treats people how he wants to be treated, and he acts like this to everyone, whether he is in public or in his house. He treats his children and random strangers in public with respect no matter who they are and is basically not a hypocrite. For example, he treats his daughter, Scout, with a lot of respect when hearing out her problems and what she believes is right. And he treats everyone in the town with that much respect as well, and doesn't just treat his daughter differently than strangers. This basically shows how he is the same in his home as he is out in the public. Atticus, is a genuine individual who treats everyone the same.
ReplyDelete2 .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. ( Chap 3)
In the beginning of the third chapter it is evident that Scout's teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, is new to teaching, new to Maycomb, and mortified that Scout already knows how to read and write. When Miss Caroline offers to lend Walter Cunningham lunch money, Scout is punished for taking it upon herself to explain Miss Caroline's faux pas to her .Scout catches Walter on the playground, and starts to pummel him in retaliation for her embarrassment, but Jem stops her and then further surprises her by inviting Walter to have lunch with them. Scout is then punished by Calpurnia for criticizing Walter's table manners. Back at school, Miss Caroline has a confrontation with Burris Ewell about his "cooties" and the fact that he only attends school on the first day of the year. That evening, a dejected Scout tells Atticus about her day, hoping that she won't have to go back to school — after all, Burris Ewell doesn't. Atticus explains why the Ewells get special consideration and then tells Scout, "'You never really understand a person . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'" These words stick with Scout, and she will try with varying degrees of success to follow Atticus' advice throughout the course of the story.
This quote is significant because it exemplifies one of the major themes in the novel: perspective as a means of reaching tolerance. Atticus believes that part of the reason why there is prejudice is because people do not understand each other. In fact, many people in Maycomb who are misunderstood are shunned or discriminated against by the townspeople, including Boo Radley, the Ewells, and all black people. In speaking these words to Scout, Atticus is trying to teach his daughter how to learn about other people in order to learn tolerance. Scout doesn't understand the racism and bias she's surrounded by. She looks at everything through her own innocence; she expects people to act like she's been taught to act, and she doesn't understand why people become so angry or afraid.Atticus tells her this because she's making judgments that she's not only too young to make, but that she's too inexperienced to make. He simply telling her to put herself in someone else's position before she judges them.
This quote is important because in To Kill a Mockingbird, the entire time Boo Radley is supposedly an outcast when in reality he is like a mockingbird who was giving a bad reputation due to society. It relates to the rest of the novel mainly because Jim, Scout, and Dill continued trying to get him to come out of his house. Maybe if they would have thought about being in his shoes, they would have acted the same way.
Similarly, Tom is an African man and because of the difference, he is given the wrong treatment due to his race. When he was trying to escape he got shot 17 times when that was not needed. Everyone knew he would lose because of the racist society yet Atticus still stood for what is right. This represents how none of the children understood what position these mockingbirds were in and you can never understand how bad things can be unless you look from their position. One of the major themes in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird is tolerance. During this particular time period, there was very little tolerance for any person of a different race, particular African Americans. When Atticus takes on the role of the accused rapist's lawyer, he expresses an act of tolerance to the community. As he does this, he is showing Scout how one needs to act and what needs to be learned before making a judgment about the person. He is not only showing Scout how to make a correct judgment but also members of the community. The people in the community are not only intolerant towards African Americans but also Ewells and Boo Radley. As Atticus takes on the role of the defense attorney, he is showing the community that he learns both sides of the story because making a complete and well-informed judgment.
DeleteAtticus represents morality and reason in To Kill a Mockingbird. As a character, Atticus is even-handed throughout the story. He is one of the very few characters who never has to rethink his position on an issue. In this chapter Atticus is actually giving Scout the crucial piece of moral advice that governs her development for the rest of the novel. The simple wisdom of Atticus’s words reflects the uncomplicated manner in which he guides himself by this sole principle. His ability to relate to his children is manifested in his restatement of this principle in terms that Scout can understand (“climb into his skin and walk around in it”). Scout struggles, with varying degrees of success, to put Atticus’s advice into practice and to live with sympathy and understanding toward others. At the end of the book, she succeeds in comprehending Boo Radley’s perspective, fulfilling Atticus’s advice in Chapter 3 and providing the novel with an optimistic ending despite the considerable darkness of the plot.
3 .“Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” ( chap 1)
ReplyDeleteCalpurnia is a very important character in the novel. Scout has known her her whole life and has basically lived with her, but they weren’t that close. Scout never liked Calpurnia very much, mostly because she always complained about her behaviour. “She was always ordering her out of the kitchen, asking her why she couldn’t behave as well as Jem when she knew he was older, and calling her home when she wasn’t ready to come. Their battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurina always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” (pg. 6). One more reason why Scout didn’t like Calpurnia is because she made her practice writing. Then, when Scout’s teacher in grade one found out that Scout can read and when Scout got in trouble for that, she blamed Calpurnia. At that time, she was too young to realize that Calpurnia only tried to help her and teach her so she would be literate and know more useful things. Even though this seems like a negative relationship and seems as if though it can never get better, the relationship between Scout and Calpurnia changes through the novel.
Throughout the novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Calpurnia influences Scout a lot., Calpurnia also influenced her in percieving others. as the reader gets further into the novel, the more apparent it is that Calpurnia does far more than order and boss Scout around. When Scout is sad or upset, Calpurnia is known for cheering her up with a little bit of cracklin' bread or a small treat to brighten her spirits. Calpurnia proves to be a truly nurturing person in the Finch children's life and is the closest thing to a mother that they have. Calpurnia acts as a disciplinarian in the Finch household and is the respected partner to Atticus in raising the children. Atticus trusts Calpurnia, relies on her for support raising his children, and considers her part of the family and this is the soul reason behind him supporting Calpurnia in her ways of bringing up his children .
Even though in some ways she does take the place of Scout and Jem's dead mother. Calpurnia is not accepted by everyone. Some of the Finches' white friends look down on Calpurnia as a servant and are shocked to hear Atticus speak freely in her presence. At the same time, some members of Calpurnia's black church are very critical of her being on such friendly terms with her white employer. Calpurnia lives a divided life.
DeleteLee treats Calpurnia as admirable because she has made the best of her opportunities and has not allowed herself to become bitter. Calpurnia has a sense of self-worth that is not affected by the opinions of people around her. This is a way in which she resembles Atticus.This combination of discipline, logic, and kindness makes Calpurnia the ideal female role model for Scout and Jem . Her ways of disciplining the children is more direct and to the point so it supplements Atticus' often philosophical, yet coherent lessons. One of the most significant things Cal does for Scout is to show her how to see things from other people's perspectives. She does this by scolding Scout when she makes fun of Walter for pouring syrup all over his food. Scout understands who's poor and who's not, but still needed to learn how to step into others' shoes. At the end of the novel, Scout stands on the Radley's porch, and for the first time, literally sees her street from the perspective of that porch: this is a literal change in perspective, but it is a metaphor that runs throughout the novel. As Scout grows and becomes more mature, she realizes that Calpurnia is the affectionate ,caring , vigilant and strict mother she never had .
2)
ReplyDeleteOn Scout’s first day at school, she realizes that the manner in which she is treated by adults at her house is not the same as the way that she will be treated in the real world. Society, in Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, dismisses accusations and looks through questions. It doesn’t acknowledge the curiosity that is an innate feature of childhood. This is made clear by the way that Scouts new teacher, Miss Caroline, discourages Scout from reading and writing and also punishes her for defending Walter Cunningham.
When Scout relays the incident of the day to her father that night, she tells him how Miss Caroline, unaware of the Cunningham’s financial state and that they “never took anything they can’t pay back”, had insisted he borrow a quarter from her to have lunch. And when he wouldn’t reply, Scout had rather generously decided to make the new inhabitant of Maycomb aware of these things about the Cunningham’s, only to be punished. It was a well known fact to all of Maycomb County that the Cunningham’s were poor and since this was not known to the new teacher, according to Scout, she should have held herself responsible for her embarrassment rather than punishing Scout. It is on the revelation of this bitter memory of the young girl that Atticus gives her an important moral advice, one that plays a vital role in molding Scout as a person, “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”.
The simple wisdom in Atticus’s words reflects the uncomplicated manner in which he guides himself by this sole principle. In the literal sense, the words mean that we can never really understand the reasons behind someone’s tears or smiles unless we’ve left behind our own judgment and see things from their perspective. Not only do these words of wisdom help the reader get insight into Atticus’s character but also his ability to relate to his children, as evident by his restatement of his original words.
Atticus Finch has always maintained a relationship of equality and trust with his children. He has always been honest and straightforward with them, addressing their concerns and patiently answering their questions, without withholding facts. He stands by his principles with pride and encourages his children to do the same. Thus, Atticus teaches his children more than any educational institute ever could. The quote is thus essential in establishing Atticus as a man of principles and also displaying the open nature of his relationship with his daughter.
1.Atticus Finch is one of the major characters in Harper Lee’s To Kill Mockingbird
ReplyDeletewritten in 1960. Atticus is a lawyer in Maycomb, the representative of Alabama in the State Legislator and the father of Scout and Jem Finch. The major themes and ideas tackled in Lee's novel such as social inequality and intolerance, education, legal justice and bravery are represented in one way or another through this character.
Scout is having a conversation with Miss Maudie Atkinson, the Finch family’s neighbor and friend. Scout admires Miss Maudie, and looks to her for explanations and advice regarding the events that surround her, including her father’s place in the community. When the subject turns to the mysterious figure of Arthur “Boo” Radley, Scout asks whether Miss Maudie thinks he is crazy, and whether people present different fronts depending upon their surroundings. Boo Radley, of course, is a reclusive figure whose life is the subject of constant speculation among the town’s people. Replying to the young girl’s question regarding Boo Radley’s sanity, Miss Maudie states, “If he’s not [crazy] he should be by now. The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-” Scout’s immediate response is, “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard,” This only reinstates the fact that Atticus is not a hypocrite; it draws a parallel to the Radley household, implying that Boo Radley’s father, an extremely conservative, proud and bigoted man, does in fact treat his children differently when in public and differently inside his house.
This is quote is essential for Atticus Finch’s character establishment, as a parent, as a lawyer and overall as a genuine and righteous human being.
It also indirectly prepares the plot for the upcoming trial.
. Atticus Finch of the novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird” is often seen as an “ideal parent”. He is also the voice of reason and justice in a society riddled with hypocrisy, prejudice, racism and classism. This is very evident in the way he brings up his children- Jem and Scout, teaching them values like empathy and belief in equality of all human beings which is often different than the so called “morals” of their small town of Maycomb county Alabama. Both Jem and Scout are extremely proud of their father and hero worship him, they are unflinching in their trust and respect of their father. This is demonstrated by Scout’s comment in chapter 5 when she says, while talking to Miss Maudie,”atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.”
ReplyDeleteAnother great positive influence in the lives of the Finch children that of Miss Maudie Atkinson, their neighbour who in her sensible, down to earth, humourous way acquaints the children the realities of life. She corrects scout when she calls Arthur Radley “Boo”, “His name’s Arthur” and tries to remove the negative image that Scout has of Boo Radley, bourne of local gossip and rumours and to get Scout to empathise with Arthur Radley. She says “The things that happen we never really know. What happens behind closed doors, what secrets-‘’, therefore not to judge people too hastily solely due to what one can see of them. To this Scout in a hurry to defend her father says “ Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard’’. By this she means that Atticus is not a hypocrite, he is an honourable man, a man of principles who is loyal to his believes regardless of the situation. There is no discrepancies between what Atticus preaches and what he practices. Atticus is brave enough to go against prevalent social ideas to defend what he believes to be right, as is later seen in his defence of the African-American man Tom Robinson, a victim of racism, wrongfully accused of the rape of a white girl, Mayella Ewell. His answer to Scout’s question of why he was defending Tom robinson if he wasn’t supposed to was, ”if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” this is further proof of Atticus Finch’s integrity, in his opinion real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” Therefore the statement uttered by Scout is very important for direct characterisation of Atticus as it establishes Atticus as a man who has nothing to hide, he is “the same in his house as he is on the public streets”. This statement also draws light on the relationship that Atticus shares with his children. He is idol for Scout and Jem who trust him explicitly, and respect him immensely. In Scout’s innocent assessment Atticus can do no wrong and she , “feeling it my duty to defend my parent’’, rushes to convince Miss Maudie when she about the hypocrisy of some people that her father was not like that, he was different. This statement is an analogy drawn by Scout between the behaviour and parenting style of her father Atticus Finch and Mr Radley. Mr Radley in his desire to maintain his family image in the town did not allow his son Arthur to attend the industrial school to which he was sentenced for teenage misconduct and get a good secondary education and instead, ironically, sentenced him to a much worst life of house arrest for his trivial crime thereby ruining his life and eventually maybe even his sanity. To him his public image was greater than his son’s life.
ReplyDeleteTherefore it can be seen that this statement of Scout’s has a big role in characterisation, foreshadowing and plot advancement. It also piques the interest of the reader and increases his/her desire to read on thus acting as a hook. It speaks volumes about Atticus’s character and brings to light his straightforwardness, uprightness and unique parenting technique which make him one of the most beloved characters in Literature.
3)
ReplyDelete‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee is a novel that explores racism and discrimination in the segregated Southern United States of the 1930’s. Told through the words of young Scout Finch, Calpurnia is the first African American introduced in the novel. However, it is evident in the manner of introduction that the colour of Calpurnia’s skin is of least interest to Scout.
Scout is well aware that in the absence of her mother, Calpurnia takes on the role of nurturing her. It is made clear to her by her father and his behavior that she is to mind the caretaker. Atticus considers her the main authority in his house and this is made clear by Scout’s description of her in which she states “Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.”
Atticus is the adult character least infected by prejudice in the novel. He has no problem with his children attending Calpurnia's church, or with a black woman essentially raising his children. He admonishes Scout not to use racial slurs, and is careful to always use the terms acceptable for his time and culture. He is well aware of the racial discrimination prevelant in his society, but chooses to look past it and gives Calpurnia the same respect as he wood a woman of his skin colour.
Atticus knows that Calpurnia is an invaluable teacher to the children, and that is why he refuses to fire her, despite his sister's insistence. Calpurnia is much loved and respected by the two children and she is almost a member of their family. Calpurnia's role is especially invaluable to Scout, who in the absence of any female figure in the household, grows up as a tomboy. Calpurnia's major role in the novel is as a mentor to Scout.Calpurnia also taught Scout to write, and used it to reinforce Biblical lessons.“In Calpurnia's teaching, there was no sentimentality: I seldom pleased her and she seldom rewarded me.” Throughout the novel, Calpurnia is the voice of reasoning and morality in Scout’s life. She reprimands her when at fault and makes sure she behaves morally.
For example, when Scout insults Walter Cunningham Jr. for pouring syrup on his food, Calpurnia reprimands her.”There's some folks who don't eat like us … but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?" When Scout objects that he’s just a Cunningham, meaning he is poor, she tells Scout that anyone who comes into her house is her company.
Thus, regardless of her skin colour, Scout trusts and respects her, even though she often complaints about living with her and her disciplinarian ways.
2.That first day of school was a culture shock of sorts for both Scout Finch and Miss Caroline Fisher. This was new ground for both, but especially for Miss Fisher, a faily inexperienced teacher in a social situation which took her by surprise. Walter Cunningham, a boy in Scout’s class, has not brought a lunch. Miss Caroline offers him a quarter to buy lunch, telling him that he can pay her back tomorrow. Everyone in Maycomb is aware of the fact that, “The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back,” Walter’s family is large and poor—so poor that they pay Atticus with hickory nuts, turnip greens, or other goods when they need legal help—and Walter will never be able to pay the teacher back or bring a lunch to school. When Scout attempts to explain these circumstances, however, Miss Caroline punishes her instead.
ReplyDeleteThis incident is significant as it comments on the flaws of society, the laws and the education system. Scout is victimized by her teacher’s inexperience; Scout means well but receives only punishment in return. Scout doesn't understand the racism and bias she's surrounded by. She looks at everything through her own innocence; she expects people to act like she's been taught to act, and she doesn't understand why people become so angry or afraid. Later that day when Atticus comes to know about Scout’s experience in school he advices, “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.”
The simple wisdom of Atticus’s words reflects the uncomplicated manner in which he guides himself by this sole principle. This in a large way shapes Scout’s views and her personality; it reflects on one of the major themes of the novel, compassion.
2. 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. ( Chap 3)
ReplyDeleteScout Finch returned home from her first day at school with the intention of never going there again. She put her request forward to Atticus while narrating her day’s misfortunes, which included being reprimanded by Miss Caroline for actions that were carried out with absolutely innocent intentions. It was then that Atticus told her that she would fare a lot better in school if tried to understand other people. He said, “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.”
Atticus’ choice of words do not merely suggest sympathy – walking around in someone’s shoes implies something temporary, since shoes can easily be taken off. But, to walk around in someone’s skin, one would have to adopt his/her social and physical environment and circumstances. This implies a complete and deep understanding of the person. Thus, Atticus does not ask Scout to walk around in someone else’s shoes, but to climb into their skin and walk around in it.
Thus, in the immediate context, Atticus was trying to instill empathy in his daughter, so that she would understand people at school better, and not get affected by seemingly hurtful things. She would learn to understand their circumstances, and their thoughts and feelings that went into them performing a particular action. To make Scout relate to what he was saying, he used her teacher as an example, and said, Scout ‘could not expect her to learn all of Maycomb’s ways in one day’ and she could not hold her responsible for what was an honest mistake. Thus, Atticus demonstrates his superlative parenting skills yet again, by teaching his daughter to look at things from other people’s perspective, to recognize the complexity of one’s actions and to acknowledge the grey that exists in a world that is not black and white.
The quote also plays a major part in sketching Atticus Finch’s character out, most of whose actions are driven by a feeling of strong empathy. Atticus fights for justice in the case where Tom Robinson, an African-American man is wrongly accused of molestation. Atticus fought the prevalent prejudice against the ‘niggers’ in society, by crawling into Tom’s skin, empathizing with him, and being convinced that he was innocent. In this way, he also sets an example for his children, making them believe in it even more firmly.
The most obvious connotation, however, is the treatment of Boo Radley, one of the most misunderstood characters of the novel. He is often the subject of the insensitive curiosity of most members of society and is unjustly demonized by them. In reality, however, he was mistreated by his father and brother to the extent that no one had seen him leave the house in years. The truth of Atticus has been exemplified at the end of the novel when Scout says, “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”.
The quote also makes ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ a coming of age novel, as it helps Scout gain a deeper understanding of the world, by helping her look at the world through more than one point of view. The novel comes a full circle when Scout stands on the Radley Porch at the end of the novel and realises that Boo Radley was not the man she had spent her childhood being afraid of, but an absolutely innocent individual – the ‘mockingbird’ of the novel. This realization is symbolic of Scouts maturity, as she finally understands a person, in the true sense of the word.
3. “Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” ( chap 1)
ReplyDeleteThe first mention of Calpurnia is in the first chapter itself, where Scout mentions the people she lives with – ‘Atticus, Jem and I, plus Calpurnia our cook.’ Although she is called the ‘cook’ she played a way more significant role in the children’s lives, almost replacing the mother they had never met. Scout says, ‘I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember.’
Calpurnia acts as a link between the ‘whites’ and the ‘blacks’ for the readers, exemplifying the contrast between how the African-Americans were treated by the Finch’s as opposed to their treatment by society at large. Scout says, ‘Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.’ This implies Atticus’ utter disregard for prejudices against the African-Americans as he treated Calpurnia with the same respect as he did all individuals. She was also one of the first black individuals that the siblings interacted with, and her role and position in their house shaped their opinions of race and equality.
Calpurnia poses as the strict yet caring adult figure, who played an important role in the siblings’ growing up. She was also one of the two positive female influence on their live, the other one being Miss Maudie Atkinson. Atticus gives her the authority to reprimand them when she deemed fit - “Hush your mouth”, she demanded out of Scout, “Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty!’ Thus, just like Atticus, she teaches Scout to understand and be more accepting of other people, a lesson which plays an important role in her growing up.
Calpurnia is also more educated than most of her contemporary African-Americans, and is assumedly treated with more respect by her employers, than most of the others. Thus, Lee gives us an insight into the complexities of her life as well, by showing us how she speaks grammatically correct English when she is with the Finches, but reverts to her community’s dialect when speaking to her friends at church. This shows the reader an attempt on Calpurnia’s part to not appear superior to the rest of her friends and family.
Calpurnia’s positive influence on the children is soon recognized by them, and is thus symbolic of their maturity. She act’s as the ideal womanly influence on the children, and gives them an insight into the world of negroes. Thus, she plays as much of a part as Atticus, in shaping the children’s opinions as well as moral and social character.
ReplyDelete1. In Chapter Five of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is seen having a conversation with Miss Maudie Atkinson, the Finch family’s neighbor and friend. Scout admires Miss Maudie, and looks to her for explanations and advice regarding the events that surround her, including her father’s place in the community. Miss Maudie Atkinson is an independent-minded, sensible widow who lives near the Finches. Like Atticus, she treats Scout and Jem with respect, and they enjoy her company. When the subject turns to the mysterious figure of Arthur “Boo” Radley, Scout asks whether Miss Maudie thinks he is crazy, and whether people present different fronts depending upon their surroundings. Boo Radley, of course, is a reclusive figure whose life is the subject of constant speculation among the town’s people. Replying to the Scout’s question regarding Boo Radley’s sanity, Miss Maudie states, “If he’s not he should be by now. The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-” Scout, then, observes that her father never presents different personalities or appearances to different people, prompting Maudie’s observation regarding Atticus: “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard,” I said, feeling it my duty to defend my parent.
“Gracious child, I was raveling a thread, wasn’t even thinking about your father, but now that I am I’ll say this: Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” What Miss Maudie means to say here is that Atticus is the same person on the street as he is in the privacy of his home. He is not a hypocrite who says one thing to one set of people in one setting, and says something different to a different set of people in another setting. The man you see in private settings is the man you see in public. Atticus, she is stating, is a genuine individual who treats everyone the same. He is not two-faced, and you can take him at his word.
2. “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.” This important snippet of conversation from Chapter 3 finds Atticus giving Scout the crucial piece of moral advice that governs her development for the rest of the novel.
ReplyDeleteAtticus delivers this bit of superlative advice to Scout after her terrible first day at school. Scout has had to deal with her raw new teacher, Miss Caroline and her ridiculous demands; she has fought with Walter Cunningham Jr.; she is then scolded by Calpurnia after her inadvertent insult to lunch guest, Walter. When she tells Atticus that she would prefer not to go back to school again, he tells her, "... that if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks." Atticus's statement is simple. By putting yourself in another's place and trying to understand their way of thinking, you will better be able to deal with multiple points of view. Both Jem and Scout take the advice and use it later in the story. The simple wisdom of Atticus’s words reflects the uncomplicated manner in which he guides himself by this sole principle. His ability to relate to his children is manifested in his restatement of this principle in terms that Scout can understand (“climb into his skin and walk around in it”). Scout struggles, with varying degrees of success, to put Atticus’s advice into practice and to live with sympathy and understanding toward others. At the end of the book, she succeeds in comprehending Boo Radley’s perspective, fulfilling Atticus’s advice in Chapter 3 and providing the novel with an optimistic ending despite the considerable darkness of the plot.
Atticus has wanted his children to look at life from Boo's perspective, from a Negro's perspective, and from their peers perspectives throughout this story. To walk around in someone's skin would mean adopting their life characteristics, the things they are persecuted about, praised for, expected of, and stuck with. One can't just quickly adopt someone's life traits. This would take deep analysis and consideration. Scout only ever gets this when she stands on Boo Radley's porch and imagines what it might have been like to watch her over the years.
3. Calpurnia is the Finch's housekeeper and cook. She is a coloured woman but possesses a good deal of common sense and knowledge. She has been working in the house ever since Jem was born and after Scout's mother dies, she becomes a substitutory disciplinary figure in the house. Atticus knows that Calpurnia is an invaluable teacher to the children, and that is why he refuses to fire her, despite his sister's insistence. Calpurnia is much loved and respected by the two children and she is almost a member of their family. Calpurnia's role is especially invaluable to Scout, who in the absence of any female figure in the household, grows up as a tomboy. Calpurnia's major role in the novel is as a mentor to Scout. In the first chapter Scout introduces her as: “She was all angles and bones. She was near-sighted; she squinted; her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard. She was always ordering me out of the kitchen, asking me why I could not behave as well as Jem when she knew he was older, and calling me home when I wasn't ready to come. Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.”
ReplyDeleteWhen Walter Cunnigham Jr. is invited to lunch at the Finches' and Scout inadvertantly embarrass him, Calpurnia tells Scout: “Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em - if you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!”. Her moral lesson to Scout here is to respect people, even if you think you are better than them. According to her, acting like you are better them is the surest way to show that you are not. This dialogue foreshadows Bob Ewell's bad behaviour to the Robinson family, just because they are black, while the truth Tom and Helen Robinson and their children live a more hygienic, independent and god-fearing life, than the Ewells.
Calpurnia was a well-educated woman. Atticus said Calpurnia had more education than most coloured folks. Miss Maudie Atkinson’s aunt taught Calpurnia to read and write. However, despite having a better command on language than most of her congregation, she never puts on airs, and instead prefers talking in broken English or what Scout calls 'nigger-talk' because she does not want her peers to feel that she is putting on airs. Atticus too respects Calpurnia's guiding presence in his children's life and he firmly defends her against his sister Aunt Alexandra. Anything fit to say at the table's fit to say in front of Calpurnia. She knows what she means to this family.
2. First day of School for Scout Finch did not turn out to be all that she had hoped but it did bring her face to face with new people and ways of thinking which were rather unappealing and confusing to her. She was thrown into a motley crowd of people from different backgrounds in her class which was taken by a young idealistic teacher Miss Caroline who was new to Maycomb and was painfully oblivious of the ways of Maycomb County and its social hierarchy that everybody took for granted. During lunch hour, seeing that he had no lunch, Miss Caroline offered Walter Cunningham a quarter to go buy lunch from town and asked him to pay her back the next day. What she did not know was that Walter Cunningham came from a very poor family, therefore a family lower down in the social order, and did not possess enough money to pay her back the next day. Despite being poor, the Cunninghams were proud folks and as Scout tried to tell Miss Caroline in vain, they “never took anything they can’t pay back”. Seeing Walter’s discomfort and shame, Scout came to his rescue and tried to explain the situation to her teacher and to make her understand that she was “shaming’’ Walter. But Miss Caroline took this to mean that scout was being disrespectfull and patronising towards her, punished Scout for her insolence. Unable to take out her anger at her unjustness on her teacher, Scout took it out on walter Cunngham by rubbing his nose in the dirt but was stopped by the more mature Jem who invited Walter Cunningham to lunch with them. On the way home the three children struck up a pleasant conversation and by the time they had reached the front porch, walter had “forgotten that he was a Cunningham’’. This shows that children neither know not care about social hierarchy or division which are created by adults to justify their hate for fellow human beings. During lunch, atticus and Walter Cunningham”talked together like two men”, atticus treated Walter with as much respect and consideration as one would treat any distinguished guest at their home and when Scout in her naïve cruelty made some insensitive comments about walter’s eating habits she was rebuked by Calpurnia who made her understand that a guest must be treated with respect and kindness regardless of their social or economic status , class or colour.
ReplyDeleteLater while recounting the days events to Atticus, scout was quick to appropriate all the blame to Miss Caroline for her treatment of Walter Cunningham. As an answer To this Atticus gave scout some invaluable advice saying that,” You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view” or ‘Until you climb onto their skin and walk around in it”. Atticus therefore told Scout to consider things from the point of view of Miss Caroline, who was new to Maycomb and therefore could not be expected to learn all of Maycomb’s ways in one day and thus could not be held responsible as she “knew no better’’ and had made an “honest mistake’’. Atticus is giving his daughter a lesson in empathy which is so intrinsic in his own character. Atticus is telling scout not to be blinded by prejudice or the opinions held by a majority of people but to look at a person from a clear unbiased perspective, to consider their side of the story before forming an independent opinion of her own. He is successful in communicating to his six year old daughter a message that is hard for most adult people to comprehend and follow. Atticus being a person who always practices what he preaches, demonstrates this in his defence of African American man Tom Robinson, who was wrongfully accused of the rape of a white girl Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson, one of the mockingbirds of the novel, was a victim of the racism rampant in Alabama society of the time and was denied justice , convicted for a crime he couldn’t possibly have committed, given the evidence. Atticus who had climbed into his skin and walked around in it was one of the very few who could survey the evidence with an unbiased eye and believe in his innocence and therefore was willing to go against the existing social structure and its dictates, unfased by the harsh opposition thrown against him, to do what he believed was right. This is what makes Atticus an almost perfect person, parent and lawyer.
DeleteThis advice given by Atticus to Scout opens a whole new line of thought for Scout and challenges her pre constructed, naïve beliefs, bringing her a step closer to maturity, which is one of the key themes on a coming of age novel like ‘To Kill A Mockingbird.’ Therefore Scout is later able to apply the same principles to Boo Radley, saying “One time he had said that you never really knew a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough’’. Therefore she is at last able to understand the manevolent phantom of her childhood whom she had always viewed with fear and awe for what he really was- a love starved, gentleand kind man whose care for the Finch children was genuine and heartfelt. This makes Boo Radley a true mockingbird of the novel.
1.) An early widower, Atitcus Finch had on him the responsibility of bringing two children up singlehandedly. In this, however, his biggest challenge was to instil in his children the principles he believed in, while guarding them from and showing them the wrong in the blatant conservatism, racial prejudice, hypocrisy and a perverse form of Puritanism in the strict, rigid Southern society they lived in. He was, therefore, the object of the awe, utmost respect and adoration of his two children, albeit each expressed their emotions differently. Scout Finch, the younger of the two, naturally did so in her own bashful, outright and childishly innocent way.
ReplyDeleteBesides her father, a major influence in the growing up years of Scout and her brother Jem, was their neighbour and Atticus’s friend, Maudie Atkinson. Like Atticus, Miss Maudie too was a woman of principle, who preferred to deal eith the evils of her direct society with sensitivity and ration, rather than blatant judgement and knowing her importance in the lives of the Finch children, wanted to inspire them similarly. It was for this reason that she, while once talking to Scout about Boo Radley, pointed out clearly taht there are some kind of men “who are so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learnt to live in this one”, referring to Boo’s father, Nathan Radley, a ‘foot-washing Baptist”. Unlike people such as Stephanie Crawford, Miiss maudie refuses to entertain any gossip about the Ralry place, and instead calls it a “sad house”. In her candiness, she expresses to Scout her worries regarding “the things that happen to people”, “behind closed doors”. To this remark, Scout feel sthe need ot reply so as to “defend” her parent. This is when she makes the quoted remark, says, “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard”. This comment makes evident the amount of confidence Scout has in her father. Miss maudie, too agrees that “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on public streets”. Scout’s comment and the latter’s agreement to it makes it clear that there is none of the hypocrisy in Atticus Finch that he knows exists in the world and his society and is disgusted by. He is a straightforward man, driven by his set of principles that he considers primary in his own life and that of his children, and that are particu;arly hard to maintain, given the historical and sociological backdrop of the novel, characyterised by mistrust, prejudice and violence. This comment on his character is also symbolic of the stance he would take in the future on tim Robinson, considering his behaviour towards his house-help and friend Calpurnia. There too, there is no discrepancy between his public and private standpoints. The genuinity of Scout’s comment is made watertight and tangible by the child-like innocence, spontaneity, and therefore the lack of rumination.
Moreover, this comment of Scout’s throws light on the variability that the upbringing of two children living in the same town and on the same street can have. That it is possible for the same task performed by a man of religion and by one who doesn’t prioritise his religious faith to be os un-stereotypical and contrasting is one of the many revelations Lee makes in her novel.
2.) Maycomb is a small society, with a handful of families, whose ins and outs everybody knows. And like most small societies, there are rules, unspoken and unwritten, that every person, young and old, must know and follow. It is exactly this that makes the life of an outsider so incredibly tough when they find themselves living in these places for good. The same happened to Miss Caroline, a new teacher at the primary school in Maycomb, and incidentally, outspoken and flamboyant Scout Finch’s first class teacher ever. At lunch on the first day of school, she asks her class how many of them had brought lunch to school and how many would go home. When one little boy, Walter Cunningham did not respond to either question, she felt the need ot ask him if he had forgotten his lunch. A hesitant Walter replies “ Yeb’m”, to which Miss Caroline responds by offering him some money and asking him to “Go and eat downtown today” and to return the money the following day. When Walter politely declines the offer, Miss Caroline feels enraged, mistaking his manner for insolence and disobedience. It was here that Scout feels the need to pipe in and tell her teacher that Walter is “a Cunningham”. Like every other child in class, Scout knows that the “Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back”, and to the readers teh adult Scout narrates an incident that made this statement sufficiently clear. Yet the child Scout in the classroom, before an alien teacher, was unable to do so, thus failing to save herself “some inconvenience and Miss Caroline subsequent mortification” by telling her blatantly that she was “shamin’” Walter. An annoyed and frustradted Miss Caroline, unable to hold her agitation in any longer and egged on by this rather loud child, saw no option better than to “whip” her.
ReplyDeleteWhen an absolutely disillusioned Scout narrates this incident to her father at night, as an explanation for why she would like to stay at home rather than go to school evermore, Atticus tells her “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.” this was not only an important life lesson for Scout but was also a representation of the major theme of compassion and understanding that is later established in teh novel . he explains to Scout the nuances of being an outsider in a town so closed and tight knit and the children “could not expect her to learn all Maycomb’s ways in one day” and “could not hold her responsible when she knew no better”.
This statement of Atticus’s, again, foreshadows his take on the Tim Robbinson case, which he tackles with the utmost sensitivity and sensibility.
3.) Although she is introduced by Scout Finch as “our cook”, Calpurnia played a key role in her and her brother’s childhood. So much so, she could actually be called Atticus Finch’s partner in the uphill task of bringing his children up. Calpurnia was entrusted with the duty of “looking after” teh children when atticus was at work but the real duties she took upon herself also involved their education, in literal terms ( such as Scout’s writing practice ) and in real terms. An example of the same is an incident that occurs at lunch on Scout’s frist day of school, with Walter Cunningham present at the table. Scout is shocked to see Walter’s eating habits taht are so far removed from her own and ebing the bashful child that she is, she finds it necessary to make a comment to punctuate her feelings. Calpurnia, aghast by Scout’s behaviour, drags her into the kitchen and tells her “anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for noythin’ teh way you disgracin’ them”. Atticus depends blindly on her and trusts her completely with the cae of his children. Right after the incident at lunch, when Scout goes to her father to complain about Calpurnia and to suggest to him to do away with her, Atticus makes it perfectly clear to her taht they “couldn’t operate asingke day without Cal” and tells her to “think about how much Cal does” for them. Perhaps this is the kind of happening Scout refers to when she says “Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side”. Although Scout resents Calpurnia’s strict, disciplinarian nature, she appreciates her involvement in her life too and subconsciously, does realise that the bond she shares with Cal is the closest thing she would ever have to a motherly bond, what with Calpurnia popping bits of her favourite “crackling bread” into Scout’s mouth, sensing that she has had a bad day. Yet somewhere, the influence of the cosseted, conservative southern society does play up in her mind, enabling her to refer to Calpurnia only as their cook while first introducing her, and in her consciousness of the fact that perhaps not practically or morally, but professionally Calpurnia was expendable.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete1) Chapter five of Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, focuses on Jem, Scout, and Dill’s childish obsession with Arthur Radley. Arthur Radley, or Boo Radley, has become an enigma of sorts for the children, and is a source of curiousity and mystery for them.
Scout asks her neighbour, Miss. Maudie Atkinson, if “they’re true, all those things they say about B- Mr. Arthur?” Miss Maudie is a sensible lady, and a positive influence on Scout and Jem. She tells Scout that all the rumours are just that, brought about by “three fourths coloured folks and one-fourths Stephanie Crawford.” She goes on to tell Scout that she remembered Arthur Radley as a boy. She says that he was a polite boy, despite what people said that he did.
When asked by Scout if she thought Boo was crazy, Miss. Maudie shook her head, saying that people never really know the things that happen to people behind closed doors. This is one of the early lessons in Scout’s life, though she does not know it at that time. Miss Maudie is teaching Scout to ignore rumours, for one never truly knows what is going on in the lives of others.
Scout, however, takes her words literally, and immediately connects Miss. Maudie’s statement to her own life, and jumps to defend her father, saying, “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard”. This impulse to defend Atticus highlights the fierce loyalty which Scout felt towards her father and it also brings out Atticus’ personality. Scout’s statement shows that Atticus is an open, honest man, one who is as honourable in the privacy of his house as in front of society. He does not change his colours from person to person, from situation to situation, and keeps his morals intact, no matter what. Further proof of this is seen later in the novel, when Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, a coloured man, despite knowing that he won’t win in court and he tells Scout that the reason he does so, is because if he didn’t, he couldn’t hold up his head in town, couldn’t represent the county in the legislature, and he “couldn’t even tell you (Scout) or Jem not to do something again.”
Furthermore, this statement also highlights the difference between the Finches and the Radleys. As a father, Atticus is sensible and understanding while also stern, if required. Mr. Radley, on the other hand, was a ‘foot-washing Baptist’ who believed that ‘anything that’s pleasure is a sin.’ He sentenced his son to a life of secrecy and reclusion, disconnecting him from any outside contact, and reduced his life to within the four walls of his house. For several years, no one in Maycomb County had any idea about what happened inside the Radley house.
In a way, this line also allows the reader to not think of Boo as a negative character, and paints him as a victim of his father’s actions, thus also introducing a new side of his character to the readers. Thus, in this way, Scout’s statement, which she felt was her “duty” to defend her parent, reflects the close bond between Scout and Atticus, and Atticus’ influence upon his children, while simultaneously, it also highlights the difference between the Finch household and the Radley household. This quote brings out one of the central ideas of the novel, which paints Boo Radley as a mockingbird- an innocent man, destroyed through contact with evil, and it also emphasizes on the theme of important of moral education.
ReplyDelete2) Chapter three of Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird”, mainly focuses on Scout’s first day of school. Scout’s first day at school is a ‘grim’ one. The teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, finds it distasteful that Atticus has ‘taught’ Scout to read, and asks Scout to tell Atticus not to continue teaching her. Moreover, when Miss Caroline tries to lend Walter Cunningham a quarter for lunch and he declines, Scout tries to explain that Miss Caroline was ‘shamin’ him’ and that ‘Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to bring you’. Though Scout does this with the best of intentions, she does not realise that Miss Caroline, not being a native of Maycomb County, fails to understand Scout and smacks her hand with a ruler.
Disappointed and dejected by the day’s misfortunes, Scout tells Atticus that she doesnt feel well and “didn’t think I would go to school anymore if it was all right with you.” Atticus asks her what the matter is, and bit by bit, she tells him about her day, asking him not to send her back to school. This is when Atticus tells Scout that if she learns a simple trick, she’ll “get along better with all kinds of folks.” He tells Scout 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.”
This piece of advice given to Scout by Atticus, emphasizes on one of the main themes of the novel- the importance of moral education. Atticus treats and speaks to Scout as an adult. Even at her young age, he tries to impart important moral values to her, the one in context being the need to think about things from someone else’s perspective. While Scout might have been feeling bitter and dejected because of Miss Caroline’s treatment of her at school that day, Atticus tries to make Scout understand why it was that Miss Caroline had treated her in such a way.
Atticus doesn’t send Scout back to school without a reason, and without explaining her mistake to her. He tries to make her see that one can only truly understand someone else’s actions by considering situations from their perspective, rather than just trying to see it from one’s own perspective. This advice given to Scout by Atticus, also reminds readers to not immediately categorize Boo Radley as the protagonist of the novel or as a negative character.
It hints that Boo Radley has a more complicated history and one needs to know about that history, and has to understand all that Boo has been through, to understand Boo Radley as a person, and to understand why he never leaves his house. Scout struggles to apply this logic to her life at that moment, but we see her trying to do so at the end of the novel, when she stands on the Radley porch and understands what life must have been like for Boo Radley all this years.
This statement also brings out Atticus’ sensitivity and understanding towards others, and the moral principles which he carries with himself. Thus, this piece of advice brings out several themes in the story, helps in the characterisation of Atticus, and also establishes Atticus’ role in shaping the moral values of his children.
3. Calpurnia , described as being “something else’’ by scout was the Finch’s cook who played the much needed role of mother figure and disciplinarian to Scout and Jem who had lost their mother in early childhood. She is described by Scout as being “all angles and bones; she was near-sighted, she squinted; her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard.’’ Scout harbours a slight resentment against her because she always ordered her out of the kitchen and told her to behave as well as Jim in spite of knowing that he was older, something that Scout considered to be a great injustice. She had many disagreements with Calpurnia and said that their battles were,”epic and one sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” She had been with the Finch family since Jem’s birth and scout had felt her ‘tyrannical’ presence as long as she could remember. Despite being black, Calpurnia was an educated woman with perfect diction. She had been taught to read by Miss Maudie Atkinson’s aunt and had actually been the one to teach Scout to write. But despite being educated, she reverted back to the local black dilect or ‘nigger-talk’ when she was among her breathen because she did not want to seem out of place or insinuate in any way that she was better than them. She said that if she talked in correct grammar among the blacks ,” They’d think I was putting on airs to beat Moses.” Calpurnia was treated as a member of the Finch family by Atticus who respected her opinions and valued her advice and said that he had “no intention of getting rid of her now or ever” to Scout when she pleaded the contrary after a fight, and defended her against his sister Aunt Alexandra who disapproved of having a black servant. She was treated as an equal in the Finch household, any discussion at the dinner table could be discussed before Calpurnia and she played a huge role in the upbringing of Jem and Scout. it was partly due to Calpurnia’s presence that Scout and Jem had never learned to discriminate between blacks and whites- they visited Calpurnia’s church with her, never once finding it strange and even sat up in the coloured folks’ gallery of the courthouse during Tom Robinson’s trial. Calpurnia was a woman with common sense and resilience who devoid of prejudice, who never judged other people,”Calpurnia rarely commented on the ways of white people.” She gave Scout many important lessons. After Scout’s inconsiderate comments on the dinner table when Walter Cunningham came to lunch , Cal told Scout,”Don’t matter who they are , anybody sets foot in this house’s yo comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty!’’ Thyerefore Calpurnia teaches Scout to respect and treat all people equally and not to consider anybody beneath them solely due to economic status. She was also the feminine presence in Scout’s life, who in the absence of a mother that been a tomboy. It was on observing Calpurnia that Scout began to think “there was some skill involved in being a girl”. Therefore Calpurnia plays a huge role in the maturation of Scout and Jem.
ReplyDelete3) One of the main themes of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, is the prevalence of prejudice and racism in society. In the novel, there are several instances where racial discrimination against the coloured people is brought out, the prime example being the defeat of Atticus in court while defending the innocent Tom Robinson. Despite the racism however, Atticus stands true to his moral beliefs and shows no signs of such bias, and this principle of his extends from supporting Tom Robinson’s case, to supporting his cook and house-keeper, Calpurnia, in her battles against his children, Jem and Scout.
ReplyDeleteCalpurnia plays a major role in the upbringing of the two children, and in the absence of their biological mother, she becomes the disciplinary mother figure in their lives. Although she is a coloured woman, Atticus does not treat her with the prejudice which was otherwise so common in society, and treats her with immense respect and trust. He is sensible enough to realize that regardless of her colour, Calpurnia is an important part of the Finch household, and considers her a part of the family.
Scout is often on the receiving end of Calpurnia’s chidings because of her mischiefs and thus, says, in the context of her battles against Calpurnia- “Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.” This shows that Atticus trusted Calpurnia with the raising of his children, and did not oppose her when she rebuked Scout or Jem. Calpurnia, on her part, cares deeply for Jem and Scout, and despite all her chidings, even misses Scout when she first starts going to school. She is a sensible, well-educated woman and it is she who teaches Scout how to write.
Calpurnia plays the role of a mentor and guide in Scout and Jem’s lives, teaching them the major lessons of life. Her character is a massively important one in the story, because she is the connection for Jem and Scout to the lives of the coloured people. She helps them see things from the perspective of the repressed class and thus, helps the reader see things from their perspective. She sensitizes them to the cause of the coloured people, even when society tries to paint the coloured people as the bad guys.
Therefore, in this way, the character of Calpurnia is a vital character in the novel. Calpurnia is a teacher, as well as a disciplinarian mother figure for Scout and Jem Finch. She is respected and trusted by Atticus and although Scout feels that her presence is ‘tyrannical’, she indeed does play a major role in teaching Scout the ways of life and society.
“Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.”
ReplyDeleteSix year old Scout Finch’s black and white perspective has a tainted picture of Calpurnia, their African-American cook whose tyrannical presence had always been felt by Scout. The African-American Calpurnia has been working in the Finch household ever since Jem, Scout’s elder brother had been born. After their mother’s death, Calpurnia looked after the two Finch children and, Scout had been raised by her. Calpurnia is the mother figure in the novel, right from checking Scout’s behavior to making sure she is dressed appropriately Calpurnia practically ruled Scout’s life. This wasn’t much appreciated by the six year old.
This particular quote is very significant when we take into consideration the times in which the novel is set. Calpurnia isn’t just the housekeeper of the Finch household but, more importantly she is an African-American. Calpurnia seems to blend into the Finch household. What is most surprising is that Scout’s disapproval of Calpurnia isn’t because of her race, it is because of mundane reasons such as not being allowed to play for a longer time. It is abnormally normal a setting that has been painted by Lee. In times where the ‘blacks’ were oppressed and, gaining equal rights was merely a dream, Calpurnia being treated as any human would be shows us that Atticus Finch listened only to the voice of his reason. He tries to imbibe this in both his children too.
Calpurnia is like another family member in the Finch household. The mere fact that she isn’t treated in a different way goes to show that Atticus Finch brought his children up in a manner different from the social norms followed then. Atticus not only treats her rightfully as her would treat any other human, he also agrees with the way she contributes to Scout’s upbringing. He agrees with her methods and, corrects Scout whenever necessary. Atticus’ descisions were clearly a deciding factor on their fights and, the fact that Calpurnia wins because Atticus takes her side goes to show that Scout not only listens to Atticus but, respects his descions. Calpurnia has as much leverage over Jem and Scout as Atticus. Thus, by creating such a normal scenario, Harper Lee addresses the issue of racism and how it isn’t an issue because humans must be treated as humans regardless of their physical attributes.
Atticus doesn’t sugar coat life for Scout. He puts plain facts in front of her and sometimes even lets her reason out and arrive at the correct answer. Scout is more of a Doer than a listener; Atticus doesn’t curb this impulsiveness of Scout’s. He merely guides her along the correct path.
The Finch family share a comfortable understanding among themselves “Jem and I found our father satisfactory.” and, both the children really respect Atticus.
Scout’s upbringing thus is greatly influenced by Calpurnia too for the simple reason that Atticus makes her listen to Cal. With this incident, Harper Lee paints a picture of a normal day in the Finch household while weaving the issue of racism and how Atticus Finch is a man of principles and does what he thinks is right regardless of what society thinks. This is clearly reflected later in the novel when he takes up the case of Tom Robinson.
“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.”
ReplyDeleteThese lines are said in relation to Miss Caroline who is alien to the ways of Maycomb County. She forbids Scout to read at home, “I will take over from here and try to undo the damage.” and this really affects Scout. Scout doesn’t want to return to school because her first day at school was rather uneventful. Scout claims, “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
Atticus then asks Scout to look at things from the perspective of others to truly understand their perspective. If one doesn’t stand in someone else’s shoes, they cannot comprehend how the other person thinks and what they feel. Atticus is the choric figure of the novel, it is his methods that frame Scout as a person in this coming of age novel. Atticus practices what he preaches and makes an example out of him. This trait of his is what makes his children respect him and look up to him.
Atticus as a father plays a very important role in Scout’s upbringing. More than being a father, Atticus’ thoughts are way beyond his times. His resolve on his principles is also admirable. Atticus imbibes values that he feels are right and just in his children. Thus, his children respect their father and dislike disappointing him. This is made clear when Jem decided to go to Arthur Radley’s house and Atticus finds out. Although Atticus doesn’t say much to Jem, the mere fact that he disappointed his father is punishment enough for Jem. It is this self-introspected guilt that makes Jem punish himself. This shows us that Atticus indeed raises his children in a manner different from the usual upbringing. He doesn’t nag, he makes them reason logically.
Scout, an impulsive girl by nature acts before she thinks. So, after she was distraught because of Miss Caroline’s comment and decided not to attend school henceforth tells Atticus. He deals with the problem at hand by making Scout understand his perspective. Atticus does not come down to Scout’s level to make her understand the need f going to school but I stead raiss Scout to his level and tries to help her understand the need to go to school.
Thus as a parent Atticus is upgrading his children. He makes them into thinkers who would question norms in stead of accepting them. He teaches them to think rather than to accept. He is candid with his children and doesn’t hide facts because of their age.
“Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.”
ReplyDeleteWhile talking to Miss Maudie, Scout’s neighbor, Scout feels the need to defend her father and his actions when Miss Maudie comments on how people can be drastically different in public and behind the closed confines of their homes. While commenting on Nathan Radley’s treatment of his son Arthur Radley who had been imprisoned in his own house by his own father, Miss Maudie who is very honest with Scout but unlike Atticus doesn’t simply lay the facts in front of her tells her about people and societal prejudices.
Scout, maybe in a moment of defence tells Miss Maudie that Atticus doesn’t do anything to them outside the house that he wouldn’t do inside it. This instance is one of the parts where Scout rekates to Boo Radley. While Miss Maudie talks about Boo Radley, Scout immediately related it to herself and defends Atticus.
As a parent, Atticus is loved and Scout feels really comfortable around him. She can ask him about anything and Atticus would do his best to explain it to her. Never a patronizing remark or a condescending tone. Atticus treated Scout like an adult, like an equal. This was an important aspect of his parenting that makes Scout feel so comfortable around him.
This instance allows us to juxtapose (in the most literal sense too) the Radley house and the Finch house. The Radley house “was once white… but had long ago darkened to the colour of the slate-grey yard around it.” Nathan Radley imprisoned his own son in the house because he had a respectable image in society and his son’s antics tarnished it. Arthur Radley’s life was ruined because of the decisions made by his father regarding his upbringing. Nathan Radley is a perfect example of a student giving in to peer pressure. His lack of foresight regarding his son’s future shows how much society and its norms regardless of how invalid they were influenced his entire existence “ the doors of the Radley house were closed on weekdays as well as Sundays, and Mr Radley’s boy was not seen again for fifteen years.”
In contrast to this is the Finch household, a warm atmosphere with the occasional feud between Scout and Calpurnia or Jem. Scout was comfortable around her father and, everytime she went wrong, Atticus would correct her and explain. This way, Scout was allowed to understand where she went wrong and why it was that she was wrong. Atticus does what he believes in right and, this helps shape Scout as a person. When a child is explained why they were wrong in stead of merely getting a punishment, they understand much better and, chances are the mistakes aren’t repeated. “Atticus Finch is the same in the house as he is on the public streets.”
Harper Lee comments on the effect society has on individuals and how it affects the people related to them directly.
1)Both Scout and Jem lived a very sheltered life, always protected by their father Atticus Finch who treated them like adults and was never patronising towards them. Both the siblings naturally were fond of their father-they adored him and tried to imbibe his qualities of honesty, empathy and integrity .It is this protectiveness and fierce loyalty towards their father which makes Scout jump impulsively to defend him when Miss Maudie, their neighbour, remarks “The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-“
ReplyDeleteMiss Maudie was a friend to the Finch siblings and had a major influence on them. Unconsciously she played an important role in humanising “Boo Radley” in Scout’s perspective. When both Calpurnia and Atticus refused to divulge more information about the mysterious and hence demonised “Boo” Radley, Scout approached Miss Maudie to know more about the entity that was feared by all. Correcting his name to “Arthur”, Miss Maudie told her that he “always spoke nicely to me, no matter what folks said he did.”
However, Mr. Radley was a “foot-washing Baptist” who believed that anything that’s pleasure is a sin. Arthur was a child who deluded by adolescence, made a number of mistakes but because of his fathers’s stringent beliefs wasn’t allowed to go to the industrial school to rectify them but was instead locked up in his house for fifteen years. Thus, Mr. Radley emotionally damaged his own child to maintain a certain reputation in the society.
Scout feared that Miss Maudie would think that even Atticus was a different person within the four walls of his home and unpremeditatedly jumped to his defence as she did not want anyone to assume that there was any polarity in her father’s character - “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.”
Atticus Finch was the same person in his house as he was on the public streets- honest, unprejudiced and a model of rectitude.
Lee uses this quote as a form of direct characterisation of Atticus and also to foreshadow his decision to go against the expectations of the society that he lived in and defend Tom Robinson, a Negro, later in the novel.
His only explanation for defending Tom Robinson was-“...if I didn't I couln't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.”
Thus, unlike Mr. Radley, Atticus was a man unafraid of the views of society. He reprimanded his children, allowed them to make mistakes and rectify them. His relationship with his children was based on honesty, mutual faith, understanding and openness.
2) Scout's first day at school was not at all the glorious experience she'd been expecting from the winters she spent "looking over at the schoolyard, spying on multitudes of children through a two-power telescope . . . learning their games, . . . secretly sharing their misfortunes and minor victories."
ReplyDeleteHer first class teacher, Miss Caroline, was new to Maycomb and was oblivious to its ways and the social hierarchy that was known to everybody. When she finds out that Walter Cunningham had not got any lunch to school, she offers him a quarter to buy lunch for himself and asks him to pay her back the next day. The boy, uneasy and hesitant, refuses to accept it which Miss Caroline mistakes for effrontery. The Cunninghams “never took anything they can’t pay back.” They were a poor tribe and did not have much but they got along on whatever they had.
Scout took it upon herself to enlighten Miss Caroline about the ways of the Cunninghams using her “special knowledge of the Cunningham tribe” but Miss Caroline does not take this explanation kindly.
Embarrassed by her lack of knowledge and on having to hear an explanation from Scout, she loses her cool and punishes her immediately.
Scout later narrates this incident to her father and informs him that she does not wish to go to school anymore if it was alright with him. Atticus tells her -“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.”
Miss Caroline was new to the town and was oblivious of its functioning - “We could not expect her to learn all Maycomb’s ways in one day, and we could not hold her responsible when she knew no better.” That day both Miss Caroline and Scout had learned several things.
This crucial piece of advice that Scout receives is of paramount importance as it not only is an important lesson for Scout but also establishes the theme of compassion and understanding that is repeated several times later in the novel.
He tries to instil in Scout the need for sensitivity in one’s dealings with others. At the end of the book, Scout is able to empathise and understand Boo Radley, a character whom she previously feared and avoided all her life. '... I had never seen our neighbourhood from this angle...'
This new view of her world at the end of the novel, symbolised the revolution and growth she experienced, all with the unforgettable words of her father ‘'...Atticus was right…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’’
Atticus was a man of principle and someone who practised what he preached. This quote also explains his decision to defend Tom Robinson. He was able to climb into his skin and to understand things from his perspective. Despite what people believed, Atticus was convinced that Tom Robinson was innocent and was in fact a victim of racial prejudice.
This quote also helps in the characterisation of Atticus Finch as the moral backbone of the story.
3) Scout introduces Calpurnia as the “cook” of the family who was “something else again.” Calpurnia was an African-American and was almost like a substitute for the mother that Scout did not remember. She was the only female figure at home before Aunt Alexandra took charge and had a huge influence in shaping Scout’s personality.
ReplyDeleteWhen Walter Cunningham came over for dinner after school one day, unversed with table manners, he began eating in a rather odd manner, pouring a huge quantity of molasses over his food. Scout scoffs at him and it was then that Calpurnia requested Scout’s presence in the kitchen. It is here that she lambasts her and tells her-“That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?’’ –thus making sure that Scout is aware of her mistakes and does not repeat them again.
Calpurnia was a martinet and echoed several of Atticus’s beliefs. The lessons of compassion, tolerance and understanding that Atticus wished to instil in his children were also propounded by Calpurnia which explains why Atticus never interfered with Calpurnia’s ways of bringing up the children. Whenever Scout complained about Calpurnia, Atticus firmly told her that they “couldn’t operate a single day without Cal”.
Despite Calpurnia being a black woman, she was given a lot of respect in the Finch household. There was complete lack of prejudice is the way Atticus treated Calpurnia. He trusted her ways and always took her side which is why Scout complained that her battles with Calpurnia were always “one-sided”
Scout’s first year in school had brought about a great change in her relationship with Calpurnia. Scout felt that “Calpurnia’s tyranny, unfairness, and meddling in my business had faded to gentle grumblings of general disapproval”. Their equation was a bittersweet one which kept on changing throughout the novel. Despite all her quibbling and apparent dislike for Calpurnia and her strict disciplinary ways, Scout does acknowledge that Calpurnia is an important part of her life and treats her like a mother-figure.
1. 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is a coming of age novel in which the author attempts to explore the prejudices and attitudes of society towards race, class and gender. Maycomb County is a microcosm for society. As the narrator of the story Scout Finch slowly gets exposed to and learns about the hypocrisy and irrationality of these prejudices. She has as influential adult figures in her life her father, Calpurnia and her neighbor Miss Maudie. Miss Maudie is a sensible and brave woman with a good sense of humour. Scout describes her as trustworthy, generous, and calls her the best lady she knows. Although Scout and Jem had always enjoyed a good equation with her, it is when Jem and Dill begin to grow up and exclude her from their activities because she's a girl, that Scout starts getting closer to her. Scout looks to Miss Maudie for advice and explanations regarding the events that take place around her. "Do you think Boo Radley's still alive?", she asks her one evening. Miss Maudie immediately corrects her that his name is Arthur and not Boo Radley. She dismisses the ridiculous rumors that surround Boo Radley that Scout has grown up listening to and believed in with her childlike innocence. When asked if she thinks if Boo Radley is crazy, she says "If he is not, he should be by now. The things that happen to people, we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets-" and immediately, Scout interrupts her and says "Atticus don't ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don't in the yard." The spontaneity, impulsiveness, innocence of the statement prove her unfaltering trust and admiration for her father,and help in her indirect characterization. She didn't even think twice about whether Miss Maudie was even referring to her father Atticus when she said that before she felt it her 'Duty to defend her parent.'
ReplyDeleteThis quote also serves the purpose of the direct characterization of Atticus Finch. The fact that even a small child like Scout respect her father for qualities which are often too difficult for even adults to recognize show the simplicity of Atticus' sensibility and his principles. This quote sets Atticus' character in contrast to the character of Boo Radley's father and the majority of the people of Maycomb County.Especially as Miss Maudie calls them, 'The foot washing baptists' who, inspite of spending hours in church and reading the Bible, have little or no respect for certain people in their own society. Atticus is one of the few people in Maycomb County who is not hypocritical, and his principles and what Scout learns from him, are the very basis of the novel. This quote indirectly foreshadows Atticus' participation in the Tom Robinson case as Atticus says later if he doesn't defend Tom Robinson, he cannot ask Scout and Jem to respect him as a parent because if he preaches tolerance, sensitivity and compassion to his children, and does not preach it outside his house, he's being a hypocrite. The fact that Scout respects him enough to defend him of her own accord shows signs of Atticus being a good parent and the qualities of his that she chooses to defend show that not only is he a good parent, he is also a responsible one, who is true to his children as well as himself and does not try to shield them from the realities of the world.
2. In the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, the author attempts to explore the concept of prejudice, hypocrisy, education, and progress. On her first day of school Scout realizes that something that she had been excited about- learning- is not the same as education, especially the kind that the people of a town like Maycomb receive. Her teacher, Miss Caroline, is new to Maycomb, and as a teacher, does not encourage Scout's inquisitiveness or curiosity that comes with innocence of childhood. Miss Caroline has learnt a certain method of teaching in college which she refuses to adapt to her surroundings. This perhaps symbolizes how society often takes things it is taught such as things that the Bible says, things that religion says, things that they have heard as children, to be gospel. In Scout's school, as it is compulsory for every child to be enrolled, the children from the more poverty stricken families attend school on the first day and then don't come to school for the rest of the year. The difference between the law and the application of law represents the gap in society's attitude towards progress. Disheartened by her experience in school where Miss Caroline asks Scout to refrain from reading on her own at home and dismissed her when she tried to explain the social hierarchy of Maycomb County to Miss Caroline. She said to Atticus, "You never went to school, and you do alright, so I'll just stay home too." Eventually she told Atticus what had really happened, and he replied by saying "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."
ReplyDeleteThis quote serves the purpose of direct characterization of Atticus Finch. As is revealed by this quote, Atticus Finch believes in being compassionate towards people who are not like himself and it brings out the empathy, tolerance and sensitivity that he gradually manages to imbibe in Scout and Jem's upbringing. This is also significant in the context of Tom Robinson's case. During the trial, Scout and Jem sit with Calpurnia and all the other people of color and as they are sitting with them, they somehow manage to assume their point of view, both, figuratively and metaphorically. Atticus took up Tom Robinson's case even though he knew he would lose because he was the only one who could assume his point of view, for the other people of Maycomb, a black man's point of view does not exist. Even during the trial as he was questioning Mayella Ewell, he did not try to antagonize her but only try to empathize with the situation which she was in concerning her father. The variation from the more commonly used proverb which is about climbing into someone's shoes, could possibly be a play on the fact that this novel deals specifically with prejudice concerning skin colour.
The qualities of Atticus brought out by this quote are also the main themes that run throughout the novel.
From Saloni:
ReplyDelete“Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard.” This statement by Scout shows how she characterizes Atticus. It also reflects a lot on how Scout is as a parent and brought up his children.Atticus is the same person on the street as he is in the privacy of his home. He is not a hypocrite who says one thing to one set of people in one setting, and says something different to a different set of people in another setting. The man you see in private settings is the man you see in public. Atticus, she is stating, is a genuine individual who treats everyone the same. He is not two-faced, and you can take him at his word.
This transparent characteristic of Atticus can be seen in the way he treats Calpurnia. He doesn't treat her any differently than he does the 'whites'. It is also evident in how he fights for a black man to get justice. He is a man who believes in truth and is not afraid of saying it. And this is an extremely important value that a father must try to instill in his child. To walk one's talk.
2. This line is one of the most important quotations in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus delivers this bit of superlative advice to Scout after her terrible first day at school. Scout has had to deal with her raw new teacher, Miss Caroline and her ridiculous demands; she has fought with Walter Cunningham Jr.; she is then scolded by Calpurnia after her inadvertent insult to lunch guest, Walter. When she tells Atticus that she would prefer not to go back to school again, he tells her
"... that if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks."
Atticus's statement is simple. By putting yourself in another's place and trying to understand their way of thinking, you will better be able to deal with multiple points of view. Both Jem and Scout take the advice and use it later in the story.
Scout doesn't understand the racism and bias she's surrounded by. She looks at everything through her own innocence; she expects people to act like she's been taught to act, and she doesn't understand why people become so angry or afraid.
Atticus tells her this because she's making judgments that she's not only too young to make, but that she's too inexperienced to make. He simply telling her to put herself in someone else's position before she judges them.
For example the gossip about Boo Radley and stories that people believe; the prayer group (women's group from the church), who are unwilling to show the same compassion for the people in their own neighborhood as they are those overseas; and finally Tom Robinson, judged for the color of his skin.
The cruelty that the African Americans were subjected to. No one truly knew their plight except them, and they had to deal with the cruel society.
As people, we need to look beyond what we see because looks can be deceiving, and we need to look inside of ourselves and understand why we feel the way we feel. If we don't take the time to put ourselves in the shoes of others, we have no right to form an opinion at all.