Examples Of Compassion In To Kill A Mockingbird

Riddled throughout Harper Lees's To Kill A Mocking Bird, are characters of compassion. Of these characters, three stand out in particular, Atticus, Jem and Dill. Because each one demonstrated compassion when others around them did not, they display a distinct uniqueness. They did not show hate or disgust to those some would consider below them. Instead, they showed great strength through their love and sympathy towards the outcasts and victims of society. They chose to make a difference and love.

The character of compassion describes Atticus more than anybody else. His affection and tenderness towards his children shows through his endless devotion and concern for their well being. He consistently treats anyone and everyone with kindness and understanding. An example of such occurred during the conflicts between Atticus's son Jem and Mrs. Dubose. "Jem, she's old and ill. You can't hold her responsible for what she says and does. Of course, I'd rather she'd have said it to me than to either of you, but we can't always have our 'druthers." This demonstrates Atticus's ability to sympathize and understand others even when they have offended and disrespected him and his family.

Like his father, Jem shows an impressive amount of compassion.

He shows this quality largely through the treatment of his sister Scout. Although they get into the occasional quarrels and scuffle, Jem cares greatly for her. He often encourages her in her moments of sadness and even defends her from tormentors such as Mrs. Dubose. Jem's attitude of caring and sympathy also reached out beyond his sister and to others. Jem clearly demonstrates this in his treatment towards Walter Cunningham, "Jem suddenly grinned at him. 'Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,' he said. 'We'd be glad to have you'' This displays great concern and caring on Jem's end towards Walter as he understood Walter did not have anything to

eat.

Despite having far less presence than many other characters in the novel, Dill Harris also posses compassion that stands out from others. The first major glimpse of Dill's compassion appears in the way he describes his parents whom he, having felt unloved, had run away from. Instead of painting them negatively, as many in such a situation might, he puts himself in their shoes, showing sympathy and understanding. Dill compassion is also made clear during the trail of Tom Robinson. “I don't care one speck. It ain't right, somehow it ain't right to do 'em that way. Hasn't anybody got any business talkin' like that- it just makes me sick.” Dill's reaction towards Mr. Gilmer's blatant disrespect towards Tom Robinson show his true character, a character of honest and genuine compassion.

Although many characters in Harper Lee's novel were compassionate, Atticus, Jem and Dill stood out the most. Despite the criticism they faced from others, these characters showed compassion for those who, to many, were deemed unlovable. They displayed a love and understanding unique from others. A love neither bias nor discriminatory, but equal and just. They chose to separate themselves from the evil that surrounded them and do the right and honorable thing. They did all this because they understood that to make a difference they had to be the difference.