To Kill a Mockingbird Essay on Empathy
Empathy Empathy is the ability to share in or understand other‘s emotions and feelings. It is the term of emotional understanding and a special skill for individuals. This skill requires people to look at things from other people’s views. Harper Lee shows the importance of empathy in “ To Kill A Mockingbird”. This spirit can been seen in Atticus’s ways of preventing prejudice and racism. It also has been displayed in children’s thoughts and their compassion to peers. The unique quality of empathy developed throughout the novel in different scenes. In “ To Kill A Mockingbird ” , Harper Lee demonstrates empathy on Atticus Finch’s behaviors. Atticus is the lawyer and the role model of the town. He is well respected in the town, since he treats everybody equally. Although, he knew that being Tom Robinson’s lawyer would harm his reputation in white people, he still decided to be the defendant’s lawyer. Atticus empathize Tom Robinson and trusts him. He is the guy who step up against mainstream and fight for equality to everyone. His spirit of empathy is not just showing in Robinson’s case. He teaches his brother “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. They can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles them.(pg. # 87)” He understands his children and always knows what are they thinking or what do they need. This kind relationship makes him a good father. “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.(pg. # 30)” is what Atticus tells his children when they are misunderstanding Mrs. Dubose. Atticus knows Mrs. Dubose is a brave woman and she has the courage to say all of her own opinions out loud which is difficult for many people. Atticus’s ability of empathy wins him respect and reputation. The spirit of empathy is also showing in Jem and Scout’s compassion. Jem Finch gets the influences from his father, and he can