Resilience In To Kill A Mockingbird
The well-known Japanese proverb なな ころび や おき (translated to English as fall down seven times get up eight), reflects resilience and the capability to never give up. Resilience is an important factor and characteristic of an individual's identity; it separates a person from ultimate failure and ensures their success. The Freedom Writers Diary was authored by Erin Gruwell and the freedom writers. It expresses 150 teen’s development and the perseverance of Erin Gruwell herself as she educates these “at-risk students”. Countless times within the text, empathy is proven to strengthen an individual's resilience. Erin Gruwell and Eva’s resilience are strengthened by empathy for students and other individuals. Ms. Gruwell displays growth in her resilience,
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Gruwell’s clear empathy for the lives of her students increases her resilience in the classroom. Proposition 187, a state-run citizenship screening system prohibiting illegal aliens from using education, health, and other services in California, was introduced the year she began teaching. Riots in Long Beach were on the rise, and the school life saw a drop in productivity. Erin Gruwell recognized the faults in their society. She wrote proposition 187 on the board, allowing an open discussion about the impact the system had on society. Also, Ms. Gruwell asked a student if he believed he was capable of graduating and he replied “Graduate? Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll make it to my sixteen birthday!” She responded in her diary with “Their fatalistic attitude influenced my literature choices for this year.” She directly showed empathy to the lives of these “at-risk students” and decided to work harder to bring awareness and hope to their lives. Farther on when her students bonded with her they began staying later in her class to complete assignments and study. She allowed this but she “felt obligated to drop them off on (her) way home” (Diary Entry 3). She admitted in her diary “There have been times that I’ve really been scared” but she was resilient and overcame these fears to protect her students. Erin Gruwell’s empathy towards the students increased her resilience as an
Gruwell’s clear empathy for the lives of her students increases her resilience in the classroom. Proposition 187, a state-run citizenship screening system prohibiting illegal aliens from using education, health, and other services in California, was introduced the year she began teaching. Riots in Long Beach were on the rise, and the school life saw a drop in productivity. Erin Gruwell recognized the faults in their society. She wrote proposition 187 on the board, allowing an open discussion about the impact the system had on society. Also, Ms. Gruwell asked a student if he believed he was capable of graduating and he replied “Graduate? Hell, I don’t even know if I’ll make it to my sixteen birthday!” She responded in her diary with “Their fatalistic attitude influenced my literature choices for this year.” She directly showed empathy to the lives of these “at-risk students” and decided to work harder to bring awareness and hope to their lives. Farther on when her students bonded with her they began staying later in her class to complete assignments and study. She allowed this but she “felt obligated to drop them off on (her) way home” (Diary Entry 3). She admitted in her diary “There have been times that I’ve really been scared” but she was resilient and overcame these fears to protect her students. Erin Gruwell’s empathy towards the students increased her resilience as an