Some people may not agree with the idea that being quick to judge is wrong. Indeed, in some situations making a quick judgment may be absolutely necessary for one’s safety. In other situations, quick judgment may lead to misjudgment. For example, the people of Maycomb judged the Ewell’s family because they lived in a dump and they couldn’t hold a job. While Bob Ewell does in fact fit this judgment, not all of the Ewell’s do. Mayella Ewell lives in the same place as Bob, yet she is not like him. Even though the Ewells yard is trash, as stated in chapter 17 (pg. 170), Mayella was able to keep six “Brilliant red Geranium”. This proves that Maycomb has misjudged Mayella.
The citizens of Maycomb County are quick to judge Boo Radley; this is a major example of how people misinterpret and react to different rumors. All of Maycomb can only go by the stories and rumors floating around about Boo Radley. Dill, just learning about the Radleys in Chapter 1, already judges Boo. Dill says to Jem (pg. 11) “He’ll probably come out after you when he sees you in the yard, then Scout’n’ me’ll jump on him and hold him down till we can tell him we ain’t gonna hurt him.” It isn’t till later in the book that Scout realizes the true nature of her mistake in chapter 31 (pg 280) “Atticus was right. One time he 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.” Boo Radley has no contact with