Question

In the last few lines of To Kill a Mockingbird Scout says, "he was real nice..." and Atticus replies, "most people are, Scout, when you finally see them." Do you agree that most people in the novel are nice once you see them? How is Atticus able to see the good side of people despite all he has experienced? Can you?

Answer 1

Yes, most people in the novel were actually nice. It's just they were taught or trained to behave one way or another. Plus, we've got to remember, the story To Kill a Mockingbird, is told from the perspective of a small child. It's still clouded with youthful innocence. Even if it sort of deteriorates towards the end. Most of the people in the book weren't actually bad people. In fact, they were good. It's just the society they grew up in. They were trained to be racist and hate those that were different. In this novel, Boo Radley was the prime example. He was the town shut in. A bogey man of sorts. And he turned out to be very nice. Even aunt Alexandra is nice in her own way. She was trying to help scout. Scout just didn't see it. Atticus was raised differently. He was given an education. His parents didn't just see the blacks as slaves. He was raised to look for the best in people. He was raised by Calpurnia. He saw the truth. He's been through a lot. He really has. But he also believes in equality and it's that standard and the standard of his morals and moral fiber that allow him to see the best in people. The last part is a bit difficult. I don't really know you. But me personally? It is hard. I try to see the best in people. I really do. And at times it's easy. But if it was dealing with someone like in the book like the Ewell's, no. It's wry difficult for me.