This highlights the difference in personality between both children, where Walter appears to try and keep his dignity and pride despite his misfortune, when juxtaposed with the mind set of Burris who exerts his poverty for all to see. Although he too is in poverty, he still appears to make an effort, where he is described to have a ‘clean shirt and neatly mended overalls’. Furthermore, Burris Ewell’s appearance contrasts with the appearance of a fellow student, Walter Cunningham, introduced in Chapter 2. The use of the superlative ‘filthiest’ emphasizes his unseen and begrimed appearance, whilst the use of ominous colours like ‘dark grey’ highlight is unkempt display. His neck was dark grey, the backs of his hands were rusty, and his finger nails were black deep into the quick’. This is apparent through the introduction of Burris Ewell into the novel, a poor child from a broken and uncaring family, where his appearance is completely filthy, shown through the quote ‘He was the filthiest human I had ever seen. Within Chapter 3, Harper Lee also has the ability of making the reader sympathise with the different children portrayed in the novel. It also emphasizes the firm discipline and morals that Calpurnia employs on Scout, portraying her as more than just a cook to the family but also a substitute mother to Scout. Furthermore, this teaching itself is ironic by the lack of respect and empathy shown to the black community themselves, where they are not treated the same as others, which further emphasizes the remarkable attitude of Calpurnia to teach Scout values that she does not often receive from others. Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ company, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you ways so high and mighty!’ This quote highlights the message of showing respect and empathy to anyone, no matter who they are, regardless of background and social class. This is shown through her quote ‘There’s some folks who don’t eat like us, but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t. In contrast, Scouts lack of empathy is chastised by Calpurnia for her rudeness towards Walter when she criticizes his over use of molasses.
This quote is significant by highlighting how Atticus is able to empathise with children, especially Walter, and adapt to talk to him about something that he is interested in. Atticus was expounding upon farm problems…’. This is shown through the quote ‘He and Atticus talked together like to men, to the wonderment of Jem and me. Furthermore, Atticus displays his empathetic nature when talking to Walter at the dinner table.
This mature and empathetic comment highlights Jem’s growth to aspire to be like his father, Atticus.
Jem’s mature development is also highlighted superior to Scout’s when he asks her to stop hurting Walter, where he states ‘You’re bigger than he is’. The first sign of empathy is shown when Jem invites Walter Cunningham home to dinner, where he understands the background and difficulty that Walter faces, knowing he does not get a proper meal. Within my essay, I will expand on these different forms of empathy expressed within the Chapter, and further highlight its significance towards the forthcoming events within the novel.
#3 themes in to kill a mockingbird skin
This is expressed through various scenes, such as the empathy Miss Caroline fails to reflect towards the children, the empathy we feel for both Walter Cunningham and Burris Ewell, and the empathy that Atticus teaches Scout to grasp as a life long lesson, where he explains the true meaning of seeing things from someone else’s perspective is to ‘climb into his skin and walk around in it’.
Within ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Harper Lee draws upon the themes of empathy and tolerance, throughout Chapter 3, which form one of the core messages within the novel. Empathy is the ability to understand someone by relating with what they are going through, and to ‘put yourself in their shoes’ which is a principle we all find hard to do.
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