To Kill A Mockingbird Compassion Analysis

How can a story brimming with racism and resentment also be filled with compassion? Although the world is filled with people who do appalling things, there are still some out there who practice generosity and lead by example. In To Kill a Mockingbird, these people are characters like Scout, Atticus, or Tom. Throughout the novel, these characters and more take action to show humanity in circumstances that they don’t have to, and add a layer of compassion to the theme. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the actions of Maycomb County citizens during the harsh times of the 1930’s show that any given person, regardless of race or societal status, should be worthy of compassion. These principles are demonstrated in the story by the Cunninghams,

While he doesn’t play a role in the largest events of the story, he has crucial moments of humaneness in his interactions with the Finch children. Boo’s interactions in the story are kept quiet for the first portion of the book, while the children are obsessed with finding him or getting him to come out of the Radley house. During a fire at Miss Maudie’s house, Scout finds herself with a blanket suddenly over her shoulders, not knowing where it came from. When she told Atticus, he mentions that they are in front of the Radley house, so it was most likely Boo that gave her the blanket (76). This unprovoked act of kindness from Boo is a brilliant way for Lee to bring a little more compassion to the story. While Mr. Arthur could have been irritable and annoyed that the children kept bothering him to leave the house, he instead reaches out in his own timid way, looking after Scout. Throughout the story, Boo also leaves little trinkets and artifacts in the tree near the Radley house for the kids to keep and enjoy. The children had done nothing for him, yet he still reached out and gave what he had out of no obligation whatsoever. Again, this is another display of what compassion is about- Arthur kept giving without ever expecting anything in return. The greatest show of grace from Boo Radley is not just in giving them tangible things, but saving the lives of Jem and Scout. While Mr. Tate and Atticus discuss the events in which Mr. Ewell almost killed those two children, a portion of Heck’s speech describes, “‘To my way of thinkin’ Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight- to me, that’s a sin.’” (279). Mr. Tate’s reaction to Boo’s actions not only emphasizes Boo’s significant actions, but also sends a bit of understanding back to Boo in agreeing not to turn him in. When considered, it