There holds a societal obligation to preserve the dignity and uphold the respect for every human individual, with irrelevance to the human condition. Boo Radley’s character greatly contrasts his perceived social image to which, I believe that symbolizes society, into which Lee states that empathy may work wonders. Harper Lee uses Boo as a symbol for the outcasts of society, and the Maycomb residents for the social standard, and thus Boo’s actions may teach the reader to consider the full breadth of the human individual, and apply empathy to the character’s social deviations.
Boo Radley is a complex character consisting of quirks, and ,longings, and above all, bursting with authenticity, compassion, and life. Such a character symbolizes
…show more content…
the outcasts in society, not just the socially or mentally impaired, but all of the under recognized and discriminated in society. Such a bold statement is backed up through Boo’s journey from malignant deviant, “Jem gave us a reasonable description of Boo: Boo was about six-and-a half feet tall,judging from his tracks;he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch,that’s why his hands were bloodstained(page 16)”, to a hero, as can be seen from the shift in Scout and Jem’s perceptions of him, presumably including Maycomb, under the pretense that his rescue of Scout and Jem did spread. The journey involves the initial solitary of Boo to his eventual counter-attack of Boo at Mr.Ewell, for his attack of Scout and Jem, to which reaps Scout’s understanding of the depth of Boo’s character, as well as the reader. After reading such a passage, the reader via Scout’s statement of ,”Atticus was right. One time he said you never really understand a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough,”(page 374); thus, the prior passage comes to realize the great (and subtle) message of Harper Lee. Harper Lee seeks to enlighten the reader on the value of empathy and the consideration of all human beings.
A definition of empathy must be supplied; empathy is not the ability to socially sympathize, which is sympathy, but rather the ability to put oneself into the perspective of others. Boo Radley must certainly generate sympathy for certain individuals, such as the women who appear to pity the Mrunas, yet, aside from Atticus, empathy for him is nearly non-existent. Thus, Boo benefits the most from when empathy is applied to him, as in the case of Scout, who realizes his character more accurately; from this single interaction alone, Scout grows in maturity-”As I made my way home, I thought Jem and I would get grown, but there wasn’t much else left for us to learn( page 374) ”-, thus she views Boo as a character not of malignancy, but rather one of heroism and humanity. The reader presumably experiences a shift in perspective on Boo, to which pity and mistrust are replaced with admiration and understanding of the content of his character. However, there contains not only a shift, but a message to be found, a subtle, message of empathy that oftentimes is missed.The message branches off into two main points in which one is a message in which Harper Lee states that people should attempt to understand a human’s actions, and that secondly a person shall, from the gained knowledge, consider the full breadth of the human individuals, the flaws and the gifts in which are in …show more content…
equal, if not higher, abundance. Human Nature has a tendency to instantaneously judge and assume the worst due to instincts, primitive urges which might have had a place for our neanderthal ancestors, but no longer anymore.
Judgement is unfounded and leads to a breeding of societal crises such as exclusion which may lead to discrimination, which leads to broader social issues such as hate crimes. Luckily in society, the root of such judgement can be dealt with in a reasonable manner. Society has needed to place itself into those so often judged, on their actions that may be considered as “socially deviant,” such as those of a LGBT+ lifestyle, or less attacked upon, the quirky. Quirky which is meant as in the sense of the ¨geeks¨, and intellectual youth. If any action deviates from the norm, there is oftentimes a lack of incentive, rather than ability to empathize. So follow the lead of Scout! Harper Lee examines Scout’s ability to view Boo in a more positive manner as the template for which society should follow. The message has not been received as directed as her message of equality, yet the reader may still chose to observe this interaction and absorb it all the same. The issue remains for that message to be
applied. That application may take place in two simple forms-the ability to look into a perspective simply that differs from one own´s course of actions. After all, according to Harvard Graduate, Stephanie Jones, “Regularly considering other people’s perspectives and circumstances helps make empathy a natural reflex and, through trial and error, helps children get better at tuning into others’ feelings and perspectives.” Empathy begins in childhood, so thus parents should focus on exposing children to many different perspectives. As for adults, three steps apply-recognition of judgement, exposure to that individual, and an attempt to understand the full breadth of that individual. Such activities such as social gathering activities may help a wide social pool of individuals interact. Empathy may also be gained through interaction via community service. Thus, the individual will be allowed to flourish in acceptance and freedom and society will be all the richer for it. Harper Lee wrote a triumph of a novel which allowed for the cultivation of racial equality, however there are innumerous overlooked messages to be found. One such overlooked message, is the importance of understanding, which is channeled through the journey of Boo through the lens of Scout. Harper Lee writes Boo as a symbol for all of the marginalized, discriminated, and misjudged, and Maycomb as the representation of the dominant judgmental society. Thus, the journey of Boo allows for the creation of an emphatic message to cultivate;a largely ignored message which remains to be taught. Thus, once the message is spread an era of acceptance can truly flourish.
Atticus teaches his children about empathy by getting them to consider how the other person feels. Atticus tells Scout, “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). Atticus displays empathy for Bob Ewell when Mr. Ewell spits in his face and threatens him. Atticus simply wipes his face with a handkerchief and continues on with his day. Jem becomes worried for Atticus thinking that Mr. Ewell will get him. Atticus tells Jem to think about how Mr. Ewell must feel “I destroyed his last shred of credibility…The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does”(292). Atticus’ reassurance helped Jem understand the situation better. Empathy is clearly demonstrated by Scout for Boo Radley in the final chapter when Scout walks her rescuer home. Scout standing on Boo Radley's porch provides her the perspective
There are some people in this world that can truly understand, or try to understand people and their feelings. They can relate to them on some sort of level. Then there's is plenty of people in this world who have no empathy at all. They don’t feel for people or even try to understand. That's exactly why everyone should read To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book is about a little girl named Scout and her older brother Jem, who is going through some changes as they grow older in the racist south where their father, a lawyer has a case about a black man raping a white woman. Over the course of the book, both characters grow in great measures. Their father is always teaching them in little ways what’s right/wrong, and what’s good/bad.
One character who displayed the quality of empathy was Jem Finch. Jem was growing up to be a fine young man who learned how to put himself in others shoes or empathy. “Atticus is a gentleman just like me” (Pg.131). As Jem was coming of age, he found that he preferred to carry out situations the way Atticus did. He admired the way Atticus thought-logically,
The people who lack empathy for the Radley’s are the kids such as Scout, Jem, and Dill. On page 16, Jem describes Boo Radley as a monster with yellow and rotten teeth, eyes that popped, drooling, blood stained hands, and having a long jagged scar across his face. They also dare each other to get as close as possible and make mean plays about the Radley family. When Miss Muadie’s house burns down Boo gives Scout a blanket and she sees that he is not a monster. Later when Atticus is defending Tom Robbinson the town seems to turn their backs on Atticus and his family, becuase he is defending a black man which is looked down upon in the town. Tom Robbinson is innocent, but because he is a black man the town views him as guilty anyway. When the town comes to a conclusion that he is guilty, Jem comes to the conclusion that the outside world is unfair, because he knows Tom Robinson is innocent. This is a good coming of age moment for Jem, because he develops empathy for Tom Robbinson and changes his mindset. Scout throughout the story is forced to develop empathy towards other people by her farther, Calpurnia, and Jem. In chapter 3, when she is beating up Walter Cunningham, she is forced to stop by her older brother Jem, who later invites him to dinner. Then later in the house, Scout was being rude to Walter for the way he ate. Calpurnia scolds Scout by
Boo Radley is first introduced as a mysterious monster-like man that doesn’t leave his house, but the truth is later revealed. Boo’s backstory was one of a misunderstood teen that hung around the wrong crowd d out the truth with a strict father. Boo was preyed upon by a couple of boys that led him to get into trouble and then seen as a creepy shameful man although he was just a harmless mentally ill person. Boo was very reclusive and possibly autistic. This explains why his father was so protective, also why he was very shy never left his house because he could be socially awkward. Boo’s possible undiagnosed autism and lack of knowledge of mental illness
Empathy is one of the greatest powers that a human being can ever hope to achieve; one person being able to understand the inner-workings of another is something truly amazing. However, empathy isn’t something that one is always naturally able to accomplish; in fact, it usually takes a long time for one to develop any empathy at all. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the reader follows Scout Finch as she experiences her youth in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. In this story, we experience her empathy for others as it increases or decreases. Though there are many examples of these alterations in Scout’s relationships, there is one that is both prominent and more complex than a few others; her relationship with her aunt, Alexandra. There are three specific instances in which we can track the progression of Scout’s empathy towards her aunt; meeting Aunt Alexandra, Scout wanting to invite Walter Cunningham over, and the assault by Bob Ewell of Scout and Jem.
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, empathy is demonstrated throughout the novel. Empathy can be defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Atticus tries to explain to Jem and Scout about what he experiences and the things that are happening in Maycomb County. Several characters learn empathy and understand how they feel about certain things and understand the experiences of others. This plays a major role in the novel.
One of the first lessons taught in Mockingbird is the power of understanding other people’s perspectives. Initially, Scout has trouble empathizing with other people, especially her first Grade Teacher, Miss Caroline, whom Scout becomes frustrated at for not understanding Maycomb’s complex social structure. After hearing his daughter complain, Atticus tells Scout that she'll “get along a lot better with all kinds of folks [if she] considers things from [their] point of view” (39). After ‘standing in the shoes of another person’, it is much harder to be prejudiced towards that person. Indeed, this may be because a key tenet of prejudice is disregarding the views of whoever is being judged. Nevertheless, it proves difficult for Scout to grasp this relatively simple concept, who begins to hear rumors of Boo Radley, an enigma who has not been seen outside his home for over 30 years. Thus begins Jem and Scout’s quest to make Boo Radley come outs...
Think you know Boo Radley? Not many people do. Boo Radley is a shy, mysterious character from Harper Lee’s: To Kill a Mockingbird. Throughout the book, Boo is thought of as a monster within the book’s setting of Maycomb County. He’s also known to be mentally ill and violent due to many stories about his past. However, I believe he’s just misunderstood. Boo Radley is actually a caring and courageous human being. Examples that benefit this idea include: Boo Radley giving gifts to Scout and Jem and saving Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell. Furthermore, throughout To Kill a Mockingbird; Boo Radley is shown to be misunderstood, caring, and courageous.
Boo Radley is thought to be a malevolent, soulless, deceitful person, but he proves to be a caring, good-natured person. In Chapter 1, Jem offers his perception of Boo Radley to Scout and Dill: " ‘Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time’ " (16). Jem perceives Boo Radley as being a “monster” instead of being a man. Jem comes to this conclusion despite having never even seen Boo Radley in person. Jem’s understanding of Boo Radley is based on the rumors that he has heard about him. In Chapter 8, after the fire at Miss Maudie’s house, Scout notices that she was wrapped in a blanket that she did not have with she left the house. Scout asks Atticus who was the person that put the blanket around her. Atticus tells Scout, "Boo Radley. You were so busy watching the fire you didn't know it when he...
To Kill A Mockingbird By: Brandon, Thomas Compassion, understanding and forgiveness. "Any ordinary favour we do for someone or any compassionate reaching out may seem to be going nowhere at first, but may be planting a seed we can't see right now. Sometimes we need to just do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding we can't design or ordain. " Sharon Salzberg.
First impressions of people are often lasting impressions, especially in the minds of children. Many times these impressions, aided by misunderstanding and prejudgment, cause unjust discrimination against an individual. To kill a Mockingbird depicts the themes of misunderstanding and prejudice that portray Arthur (Boo) Radley as a villain. Through the progressive revelation of Radley's character, the children realize that their negative impressions and fear of him were unfounded. Through gradual stages of change, from total misunderstanding of Boo, to a realization of an error in judgment, to a reevaluation followed by a change of heart, to a growing trust and acceptance of Boo, and finally to an appreciation of his true character, Jem's, Scout's, and Dill's impressions of Radley are dramatically altered.
It teaches them to not be prejudice and get to know a person before making a judgement. Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley, was frowned upon by many people in the Maycomb community. He was rumoured to have been locked in the basement by his father and older brother after an incident involving scissors. Though never seen stepping outside his house, he intrigues yet also frightens Scout, Jem and their friend Dill. After different events in the novel, the children come to find that Boo Radley is not intimidating, but a man who due to his father, is emotionally damaged. Miss Maudie, a neighbour of the Finch’s, explains to Scout that "Mockingbirds don 't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don 't eat up people 's gardens, don 't nest in corncribs, they don 't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That 's why it 's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” The mockingbird is a symbol for innocent people, who are judged for no reason. Like the mockingbird, Boo Radley has people prejudiced against him when he is an innocent man. By using this metaphor, the reader is able to understand the link between Boo Radley and the innocence and morality. As well as the mockingbird, he also symbolises goodness. By secretly watching over Scout and Jem, he protects them from later being attacked by Bob Ewell, a symbol of evil. When Jem and Scout begin to trust Boo, they are paying the highest tribute they could pay him.
Do you now someone who never judged someone because they look weird, dress weird, etc. That is what empathy is. It is the ability to “walk two moons in another man's moccasins”. In other words it means not judge someone before you walk in there shoes and see life from their perspective. In “To Kill A Mockingbird” the author repeatedly shows examples of this. When Scout, Jem, and Dill are scared of Boo Radley it isn’t until Jem walks in Boo’s shoes that he understands all the hurt he feels. That's an example in the book of prejudice. An example of racism is the trial of Tom Robinson. Atticus is defending him because he is African-American. Atticus says to Scout she wouldn’t have to mind (listen)
In the coming of age novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Harper Lee includes characters that rarely appear to develop a theme and influence the common characters actions and thoughts. “Boo” Arthur Radley is an example of how the author creates the theme. Harper Lee scarcely incorporates the character Boo Radley to develop the theme that both good and bad exist in society, by using negative diction, repetition of descriptions, and symbolization.