To Kill a Mockingbird
... at school about his father defending “niggers”, Atticus tells Scout that she must ignore it to sustain her sense of self-respect and justice. Atticus also tells Scout to hold the traits of justice and restraint, and avoid getting in fights, even in the extreme cases of people criticizing her father’s voluntary actions. Atticus taught Scout to apply quiet courage instead in these situations. When Atticus defended Tom Robinson, a black man, he showed Scout his belief in the equality of people which Scout adopts. During the trial, Atticus also explained that there are bad and good black men as there are good and bad white men. This moral message was taught to Scout, and emphasised the idea and belief of equality that Scout oversees and takes on. Scout, at the beginning of the novel struggles to carry out Atticus’ advice, but as the book progresses, she succeeds in comprehending other people’s views and fulfilling Atticus’ advice. Another character creating an impact on Scout’s moral development and his ability to consider things from others’ points of view is Walter Cunningham Jr. Walter is a boy in Scout’s class, who is of great poverty. He cannot afford to purchase a lunch and when Scout attempts to explain the reason why to Miss. Caroline, she grows frustrated and hits Scout with a ruler. Due to this mishap, Scout furiously rubs Walter’s nose into the dirt, as he was angry that he had gotten her into trouble. These sequences of events occur at the beginning of the novel, and earn harsh disapproval from the adult world. These events show the innocent and comfortable childhood mind that Scout is occupying at this time. However, with the rebukes placed on her, Scout begins to learn of the more grown-up mind she is expected to have. Through Walter Cunningham Jr, Scout learns to respect other people’s differences and consider things from others people’s perspectives. Young Walter Cunningham is part of the large population of poor farmers in the land around Maycomb. His fondness for molasses on all of his food, which Scout criticises him for, illustrates the difference in social status between his family and the Finches. As Calpurnia scolds Scout due to her unnecessary actions, Scout grows to learn and value the differences of people and to not question the unusual actions of others, unless understanding complete circumstances. The character of Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose also helped Scout to learn to consider things from others’ points of view. Initially, Scout’s reaction to Mrs. Dubose was one of hate. This was because Mrs. Dubose continuously shouted at the children when they walked by her house. She came across to Scout as being an intervening lady, who seemed far too interested with the lives of other people rather than in her own. She also appeared to be unforgivably racist, as one day when Jem and Scout are passing her house; she said to the children that Atticus is not any better than the “niggers and trash he works for”. (Pg. 113) This provoked Jem to destroy all of Mrs. Dubose’s camellia bushes. As a punishment, Jem, with the accompaniment of Scout was required to go to Mrs. Dubose’s house every day for a month and read to her. A little more than two months afterwards, Mrs. Dubose died, and it was revealed to Jem and Scout that she had an addiction to morphine. Scout then realised through the words of Atticus that Mrs. Dubose was not the cantankerous elderly woman Scout first appeared her to be, but she was actually a very brave and determined lady who courageously attempted to overcome her morphine addiction; “I wanted you to see what real courage is… it’s when your licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what... she was the bravest person I ever knew” (pg. 124). Through Scout’s encounters with Mrs. Dubose, she realised that despite Mrs. Dubose’s flaws, she is a woman to be respected of for possessing “real courage”. Her courage was shown her successful effort to try and combat her morphine addiction by using reading as a distraction. Scout realised that she must acquire understanding towards some people who are the way they are due to personal matters. Another character helping the moral development of Scout is Arthur (Boo) Radley. In the three years that the book took place; Boo Radley had a major affect on Scout’s life. In the eyes of Scout, Boo was transformed from a villain into a human being. Scout’s gradual understanding of him reflected her journey toward adulthood. At the beginning of the novel, Boo was thought to be evil. Superstitious implications left Sc...