Monday 7 March 2016

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, what are some quotes that show empathy, integrity, and tolerance?

There are several scenes throughout the novel that portray characters showing empathy for others. Atticus shows empathy for Mr. Cunningham while he is explaining how mob mentality negatively influenced him the previous night. Atticus tells Jem,


"Mr. Cunningham's basically a good man...he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us." (Lee 210)



Later on in the novel, Bob Ewell spits in Atticus' face while leaving the post office. Atticus controls his emotions and does not respond while Bob Ewell yells at him. When Atticus returns home he tells Jem,



"Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take." (Lee 292)



Atticus shows empathy for Bob Ewell by understanding his emotions. He knows that Bob Ewell is upset and is looking for revenge, and doesn't blame him for doing so.


Atticus is Scout's father and role model who plays an important part in her moral and intellectual development. Atticus displays integrity throughout the entire novel and hopes Scout follows his positive examples. In Chapter 11, Scout thinks Atticus is wrong for defending Tom Robinson because most people disagree with his decision to defend him. Atticus says,



“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” (Lee 140)



In Chapter 9, Atticus is talking with Scout about controlling her emotions and explains to her why he is defending Tom Robinson. She asks him if they are going to win and Atticus says,



“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Lee 101)



Atticus' quote portrays his integrity by refusing to stop representing Tom Robinson. He does not compromise his moral principles when faced with adversity. 


Atticus is tolerant of others throughout the novel. There are many scenes throughout the novel where Atticus shows tolerance towards his children and the community members of Maycomb. In Chapter 11, Jem returns home furious at the derogatory comments Mrs. Dubose makes towards him. Atticus says,



"She's an old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad." (Lee 133)



Atticus doesn't blame Mrs. Dubose for the things she says. Instead of chastising her, he tells Jem not to let her comments bother him and act respectable. In Chapter 3, Atticus explains to Scout why the community allows the Ewells certain privileges and is tolerant towards them. He tells Scout,



"and it's certainly bad when a man spends his relief checks on green whisky while his children have a way of crying from hunger pains. I don't know of landowner around here who begrudges those children any game their father can hit...Of course he shouldn't, but he'll never change his ways. Are you going to take out your disapproval on his children?" (Lee 41)



Atticus not only describes their situation but tells Scout the reasoning behind the community's tolerant attitude towards the Ewells.

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