Lessons in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

In the 1960 classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee there are many important lessons learnt by its characters. Notably more by the young narrator of the story, Scout (Jean Louis) Finch. All are important lessons learnt not only in the novel but also in life. But to me the most important is that of you never know a man till you walk around in his shoes.

The first time this appears in the novel is in the form of Atticus trying to explain to Scout why people do what they do, sometimes, cause of who they are. And not to judge people from what others say. you never really know someone till you consider things from their point of view till you put on his skin and walk around in it. Although at the time this only confuses scout eve more as she is of such a young age. It plays a very important role later in the novel.

It next comes into play when Scout and Dill meet Mr. Dolphus Raymond outside of Tom Robinsons court case. Scout doesnt think they should be talking to such a sinful man who walks around drunk and disorderly who is always drinking out of a bag and has lots of half coloured children walking around everywhere. Secretly I aint much of a drinker, but these people aint never, never gonna believe I do what I do cause I want to. Scout realizes then that Mr. Raymond only drinks coke and is not anything like people have said. But he acts like that because people expect him to and he thinks they wouldnt be able to take it if he went against the current.

The most important time this is evident in the novel is at the end when Scout finally meets Boo Radly. Atticus once said you never really know a man till you out on his shoes and walk around in them. But just standing on the Radlys porch was enough. Scout realizes that Boo isnt the 7 foot tall, squirrel eating maniac they imagined at the start of the novel, but a shy, innocent man who has saved her and Jems lives.

This statement not only shows that she has learnt a valuable lesson but also how innocent she is as a child. The fact she has learnt this lesson at such a young age is very adult, but because she has taken it so literally it still shows that she is only a child.

This lesson or moral also helps Scout throughout the novel to understand and fit in with all people easier. When she goes to Calpurnias church, when she is at Tom Robinsons court case and when the mob is at the jail cell. The reason for this is that it helps her to not necessarily agree but accept what people do. So, therefore she can be at ease with them and they can in return feel at ease with her, even though she is only a child.

So, this lesson passed from father to child is an extremely important one. It is evident in the novel how it helps Scout even if she is not aware of it. When Atticus first tells it to her he presents no explanation or justification, but throughout the novel scout little by little starts to understand what he means. This important lesson helping her to make sense of what is going on around her and, possibly, even making the finch family what they are with such understanding and morality.