Lack Of Empathy Analysis
Initially, one sees Scout’s lack of empathy impact her thoughts and behaviours negatively. For instance, on Scout’s first day of school, her teacher Ms. Caroline fortuitously shames Walter Cunningham for being without a lunch; she offers to lend him lunch money, not knowing that he would not be able to repay her (Lee, 25). Scout then feels inclined to explain Walter’s poverty-stricken situation to her teacher, which in turn embarrasses Ms. Caroline in front of her entire first grade class (28). Scout did not discern that Ms. Caroline was knew to Maycomb, and was not aware of her student’s financial situations. She showed her teacher no empathy when she humiliated her with such a large audience. Similarly, Scout struggles to walk in Walter Cunningham’s
shoes. After Jem finds Scout beating up Walter, he invites Walter back to their house for lunch. When the children begin to eat, Scout embarasses Walter by pointing out his very different table etiquette (32). Although Scout previously reminds Ms. Caroline of the Cunningham’s financial position, she ridicules him at the table, disregarding his unsound life at home. She does not attempt to consider the differences between their situations, or feel for Walter at all.
shoes. After Jem finds Scout beating up Walter, he invites Walter back to their house for lunch. When the children begin to eat, Scout embarasses Walter by pointing out his very different table etiquette (32). Although Scout previously reminds Ms. Caroline of the Cunningham’s financial position, she ridicules him at the table, disregarding his unsound life at home. She does not attempt to consider the differences between their situations, or feel for Walter at all.