To Kill a Mockingbird

Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? Chapter 3

Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean? Is it an easy thing for Scout to learn? (In the last chapter of the novel, Scout repeats this, but she changes “skin” to “shoes” - this is probably not a mistake: Harper Lee suggests that Scout cannot clearly recall exactly what Atticus said and when, but the reader can check this!)

Asked by
Last updated by Asiyah R #1120547
Answers 5
Add Yours

In Chapter 3, Atticus's patient teaching gives Scout a lesson that he says will help her "get along better with all kinds of folk": she has to remember to judge people on their intentions rather than their actions, and put herself into the other person's shoes in order to understand them best. The chapter establishes that Atticus can relate to all kinds of people, including poor farm children. The last sentence of the chapter, "Atticus was right," applies not only to his prediction that Jem will come down from his tree house if left alone, but also to most issues of character judgment. Atticus's opinions can usually be trusted, and he is convinced of the importance of dealing fairly and reasonably with all people, no matter what the circumstances.

Source(s)

http://www.gradesaver.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird/study-guide/summary-chapters-1-6

it is because she is half stupid and dont think before she speaks

Source(s)

me myself and i

Atticus means to tell Scout that until you look in the point of view of the specific person you won't understand them. Scout needs to get a deeper level of understanding of that person to really have an accurate perception of that person.

I 100% agree with all of you. Atticus is trying to teach Scout a lesson that he says will help her, and yeah this is exactly what he is trying to say but I would also like to add on the fact aaliyah o #707937 is also right I wouldn't go so far to say she's stupid but she is little and has a lot to learn, for example, she does need to think before she speaks. Atticus means to tell Scout that until you look in the point of view of the specific person you won't understand the.

He means that you can develop empathy, respect, and understanding for others by considering situations from their perspectives. I think that Scout will learn this from time to time.