To Kill a Mockingbird Empathy Literary Analysis
“Human morality is unthinkable without empathy” (Frans de Wall). In Harper Lee’s book, To Kill a Mockingbird, the main theme is empathy, and it is exemplified through the different character’s actions and thoughts. Harper Lee believes that many of the characters express this trait which include Atticus, Jem, and Scout. This is clearly shown by the events that take place in the book.
Atticus is the character that introduces the theme of empathy to Scout and Jem. He has a very famous line of dialogue that exemplifies empathy, ”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” (39). Another event that shows empathy is when Atticus takes the case for Tom Robinson, because he knows that it is not right to condemn an innocent man on the sole intent of racism (99). The statement Atticus makes and the defense of Tom robinson shows the empathy he has toward other people and how he teaches that to his children.
Jem is another character that has begun to show empathy throughout the book whilst growing up. During the trial Jem is seen crying and muttering that the verdict of the jury is not right toward Tom …show more content…
A line of dialogue from Scout identifies the remorse she has toward Mayella, “It came to me that Mayella must have been the loneliest person in the world. She was even more lonelier than Boo Radley” (256). The diction is very significant as Scout sees Mayella from her point of view and realizes how alone and insecure Mayella is. During this scene of the book Scout actually starts feeling bad for Mayella because of her loneliness and her abusive father. Scout also views her neighborhood from the Radley’s front porch and she sees a whole new perspective from the Radley’s view (373). Thus, these two events shows empathy for Boo Radley and Mayella