When we judge other people, it is as if we are placing ourselves on a higher pedestal than others. It means that we think our way is the only "right" way and we start to believe we have a right to judge and to convict others of their faults or crimes. This way of thinking certainly can lead people to believe they have a right to bend social and legal rules that may actually disgrace who we are as humans. Such is the case in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird and it is seen in the novel from Aunt Alexandra's tea parties, to children's superstitions; from the local school to neighborhood gossip; and from family dinner tables all the way to the county courthouse. Scout learns not to judge others from all of these situations, but here are at least three.
One of the first cases where Scout must understand not to judge others is when Jem invites Walter Cunningham home for lunch on her first day of school. Walter, who hardly ever eats as well, asks for the maple syrup. He pours it over his lunch and Scout is vocally beside herself. Calpurnia calls her into the kitchen to teach her a lesson. The scene goes as follows:
"She was furious, and when she was furious Calpurnia's grammar became erratic. . . When she squinted down at me the tiny lines around her eyes deepened. 'There's some folks who don't eat like us,' she whispered fiercely, 'but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?'" (24).
Scout objects and tries to tell her he is just a Cunningham, as if she is better than Walter. Calpurnia sets her straight though and Scout is set on the path of learning not to judge others, especially if they are in her house. Little did she know she would have many more lessons to learn on the subject.
Another episode that teaches Scout not to discriminate others is when she meets Mr. Raymond outside of the courthouse during the trial. Mr. Raymond has a reputation as a drunk and having created mixed-race children. He helps Dill feel better after witnessing the cruel cross-examination of Tom Robinson by offering him a drink from his paper-bagged bottle. The drink turns out to be cola and Scout says the following:
"I had a feeling that I shouldn't be here listening to this sinful man who had mixed children and didn't care who knew it, but he was fascinating. I had never encountered a being who deliberately perpetrated fraud against himself. But why had he entrusted us with his deepest secret? I asked him why" (201).
Mr. Raymond goes on to explain that children understand why he does what he does. He even goes on to tell Dill and Scout to remember what they learn that day and basically not to accept the racist and social prejudices that society deals out on a daily basis.
Finally, Scout learns not to judge those with disabilities, such as Boo Radley. At first the kids want to flush him out of his house because he's a mystery to them--like a ghost. But when Boo saves Scout and Jem from Mr. Ewell's attack on the night of the school festival, she meets him and discovers his humanity. She also overhears the sheriff, Heck Tate, tell Atticus (in not so many words) that the story will stand that Mr. Ewell fell on his knife in order to protect Boo Radley from suffering from all the attention he'd get. Boo Radley lived his life best with his family behind closed doors, not out in the public. Atticus finally understands why Mr. Tate wants to protect Boo:
"Atticus sat looking at the floor for a long time. Finally he raised his head. 'Scout,' he said, "Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?'
Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. 'Yes sir, I understand,' I reassured him. 'Mr. Tate was right.'
Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. 'What do you mean?'
'Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?'" (276).
She finally gets it. Scout finally understands that there's a time and a place for everything especially when it comes to making the right choices about other people in society. If they hadn't kept the secret about Boo Radley, he may have suffered needlessly.
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