Question

Atticus tells Scout, "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout,you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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." Explain how we see the significance of this quote in this chapter

Answer 1

In this chapter, Scout begins to notice that other children in her class have traits and behaviors that she does not understand. Specifically, she becomes angry and judgmental when Walter Cunningham is at her house for dinner, and begins to pour syrup on all of his food. Scout is unaware of Walter's home life, and merely sees this action as him choosing not to act in a way that she believes is right. Atticus and Calpurnia, knowing that Walter does not know any better, remind her that Walter, has had a different upbringing than she has, and has not had many of the opportunities that she has had. When Atticus has this discussion with Scout, he wants her to understand that although people may have their differences, it is important to try and see things from their points of view. This quote is one of the earliest examples of the recurring theme of Scout learning about empathy throughout the novel.