Essay On Self Control In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Orpha Winfrey once said, “Failure is a great teacher, and if you are open to it, every mistake has a lesson to offer” (IDK ABOUT HOOK?!?!?!?!). In the story To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout live in the small town of Maycomb during the 1930s where they start to discover their society’s injustices and prejudices by interacting with local citizens. Firstly, self-control is a mandatory skill to possess as it helps a person to become more aware of how their actions and thoughts impact others around them. Secondly, developing a habit of honesty is crucial because it will enforce trust in relationships and make the communication of thoughts easier. Thirdly, courage is vital to one’s life as it helps them to leave their comfort zone …show more content…

Ultimately, the children’s interactions with people different themselves teach them valuable lessons, which help them make more mature decisions later on. Scout is first introduced to the principle of self control when she meets Walter Cunningham. Walter is a poor uneducated boy who attends the same school as Scout. Their first encounter with each other occurs when Scout embarrasses Walter at lunch for pouring all of his food with syrup. Scout does not realize the context of her actions, as she lives a comfortable lifestyle and views items such as syrup ordinary, while Walter does not. However, Calpurnia, the Finch’s family maid, has felt the need to address Scout of her inappropriate behaviour, “ Yo’ folks might be better than the Cunninghams, but it doesn’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em- if you can’t fit to eat at the table you can just sit here and eat in the kitchen” (Lee 34). As a result of Calpurnia’s lecture, she understands to think before she acts. In the aftermath, Scout understands her actions towards her fellow classmate were hurtful and childish. Therefore, Scout’s encounter with Walter teaches her that it is better to withhold feelings than to

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