Character Development Essay Harper Lee uses Scouts transformation from an intolerant and feisty young girl to a sensitive

and lady in To Kill a Mockingbird to develop the theme of how kindness derives from empathy and understanding. To Kill a Mockingbird is narrated from the perspective of the five year old girl, Scout Finch, who tells the story of living as a child in the rather racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. Throughout the progression of the novel, Scout interacts with the neighbors and finds herself fighting with anybody who brings up a disagreement. Along the way, Scout and her brother, Jem, meet a small little boy named Dill. The three of them bond and develop an unusual relationship consisting of the reading of plays and enactments of the life of the mysterious and terrifying next door neighbor, Boo Radley. When Scouts father takes on a court case defending a black man accused of rape, Scout must learn to endure malicious taunting and disapproval from the other members of Maycomb as they call her father a nigger-lover. Her father helps her survive the humiliation by teaching her to accept the criticizers and to climb into [their] skin and walk around in it (pg. 39). By the end of the book, Scout is trained to acknowledge other peoples views as opposed to being intolerant and touchy with her realization of how empathy results in kindness towards others. Towards the beginning of the novel, Harper Lee characterizes Scout as an inflexible and temperamental child who often gets frustrated when people have opposing views or opinions. During school as a first grader, she experiences the lessons of a strict teacher, Miss Caroline. Scout tells her father, and she said you taught me all wrong, so we cant ever read any more, ever... Her father explains how if Scout had put [herself] in [Miss Carolines] shoes [shed] have seen it was an honest mistake on her part. (pg. 39-40). Scout is unwilling to learn and accept the unique ways of her new

first grade teacher. It takes her father to empathize for the teacher and rationalize Miss Carolines methods to Scout. Scout Finch, also, becomes extremely touchy and intolerant whenever someone makes a comment about her father and his court case. When her cousin teases her about her fathers love for African Americans, Scout lashes out at him. The text mentions, Francis looked at me carefully... and crooned softly, Nigger-lover... This time, I split my knuckle to the bone on his front teeth. My left impaired, I sailed in with my right, but not for long. (pg. 112). Scouts narrowmindedness prevents her from understanding Francis opinion, even if it does upset her. Francis and Miss Carolines and Scouts contrasting opinions exemplify Scouts close-minded and hot-blooded personality at the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird. By the end of the book, Scout becomes much more empathetic and sensitive to the feelings and lives of others. When Boo Radley finally emerges from his house, Scout approaches him, not with badgering questions, but with confidence and compassion. Harper Lee writes, Feeling slightly unreal, I lead him to the chair farthest from Atticus and Mr. Tate. It was in deep shadow. Boo would feel more comfortable in the dark. (pg. 364). Scout finally shows her understanding of Boos situation. Knowing that he has spent most of his life in the quiet and the dark, Scout tries to recreate that atmosphere for him at her house. As Scout leads Boo home she writes, I turned to go home. Street lights winked down the street all the way to town. I had never seen our neighborhood from this angle... Atticus was right. One time he had said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough. (pg. 373-374). Scout was able to truly understand what life was like for Boo as she stood on his porch. She stood in his shoes and could visualize what

he saw every day. She ended up showing immense compassion for Boo and others. As Scout matures throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, she transitions from an immature, stubborn little girl to a compassionate, sympathetic lady. Harper Lee uses this development in her character to enhance the novels theme of how being empathetic and understanding of others brings out kindness and affection. Scout goes from fighting with her first grade teacher about the lesson to adjusting the environment in order to accommodate Boos comfort. Scouts dynamic character embellishes the idea that by understanding someones thoughts and feelings, it helps bring out the considerate and thoughtful part of people.