To Kill a Mockingbird: The Importance of Understanding Individual Differences

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mocking-Bird, the importance of understanding individual difference is shown in part one of the book. Showing us each character is different in there own way, shows individual difference through each character in the book. Some characters that show individual difference are Atticus, Boo Radley and Miss Maudie Atkinson.

Atticus shows individual difference by how he is not as racist as the rest Maycomb County. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. The rest of Maycomb are against him and do not agree on what he is doing. One of the people who are against him is his sister Alexandra; the only people who are on his side are Scout and Jem.

Another person who shows individual difference is Boo Radley. Boo is a strange person who had never set foot outside of his house since he was fifteen. Boo sees Scout and Jem as his children, which is why he parts with things that are precious to him, why he mends Jem's pants and covers Scout with a blanket, and why he ultimately kills for them: "Boo's children needed him." Apparently his family disapproves of his affection for the children or Mr. Radley wouldn't have cemented the knothole. But Boo is undeterred and loves them, even with the probable knowledge that he is the object of their cruel, childish games. Boo dominates the imagination of Jem, Scout and Dill, he is an intelligent person who was emotionally damaged by his cruel father and an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel’s ‘mockingbirds’, a good person injured by the evil of mankind.

Miss Maudie is another person who shows individual difference. She is a cheerful, kind and amusing neighbour and trusted friend of Scout’s, who also upholds a strong moral code and helps the children gain perspective on the events surrounding the trial. Miss Maudie one of the few people who support Atticus and his decision. Miss Maudie provides another example of bravery to the children when her home burns down. Instead of lamenting her fate, she tells Jem she looks forward to rebuilding a smaller house, which will have more room for her flowers. She is not prejudiced, unlike many of her Southern neighbors, and teaches Scout important lessons about racism and human nature. It is important to note that Miss Maudie fully explains that "it is a sin to kill a mockingbird", whereas Atticus Finch initially brings up the subject, but doesn't go into depth. When Jem gets older, and doesn't want to be bothered by Scout, Miss Maudie keeps her from going mad.

In summary; Atticus, Boo and Miss Maudie all show the importance of individual difference in the novel To Kill A Mocking-Bird. The key message in part one of the novel is that everyone is different with their own beliefs.