To Kill A Mocking Bird deals with many primal and basiclessons in human nature. The book exposes many issues thataffect most people throughout their lives. Scout, the maincharacter was one of the most affected by these lessons.During the book she was exposed to many profoundexperiences, which no doubt will leave a lasting impression.In the three years that the book took place, she may havelearned the most important things she will learn over herentire life.
One person that affected Scouts life was BooRadley. He brought wonder, fear and then finally relief to herheart. At first kids thought he was evil. There were rumoursthat while he cut out the newspaper for his scrap book he"drove the scissors into his parent's leg.
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"(pg11) He had triedto kill them. Even though this may have been just a rumor thekids were terrified of the Radleys. They described him oftenas a monster "six-and-a-half feet tall" with "bloodstained"hands. He was said to eat "raw squirrels and any cats hecould catch".(pg12) During the rest of the book Scout andcompanions tried to meet Arthur (Boo) and get over theirfear of him. They did not succeed.
But he showed affectionfor them by leaving them gifts in a tree. Finally at the end ofthe book he proves he is a good person by saving Scout andJem's lives. In this instance Scout may have found that tonegatively prejudge someone is wrong. She also learnedcompassion.
Scout also learnt about the ugliness of life.About death and pain. This lesson occurred while herbrother had to read to a sick and dieing old lady. This lady'sname was Mrs. Dubose. She had been a morphine addictand had decided to go clean till her death. To die as a freewomen, to die knowing she had won. Scout describes heras a ugly lady and during their reading sessions she wouldhave some kind of spasm-fits.
Her head moved side to side.She would drool. "Her mouth seemed to have a privateexistence of it's own.
" (pg.107) After many reading sessionswith her having a fit each time, she died one day. Probablythe most important person in Scout's life was the one whohad set the best examples for her.
This was Atticus. Hetaught Scout how to deal with people. One of his teachingswas to be the bigger person. When Bob Ewell spit inAtticus's face and threatened his life, he did nothing andwalked away. All he had to say later was,"I wish Bob Ewellwouldn't chew tobacco."(pg.217) Atticus reacts with hisbrain not emotions.
He encourages Scout to do the same.Another trait that he teaches is respect. Respect for peoplewho are different. People such as Boo Radley. The kids hadbeen acting out a play which involved Boo's scissor incident.
They also tried to give a letter to him, so that he would comeout to meet them. Atticus found out about both incidents.They were put in their place and told to, "stop tormentingthat man." He then told them that, "what Mr.Radley did washis own business."(pg.49) Atticus also commanded.