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Rachel Assaf
Ms. Ingram
English 1 Honors
16 February 2016
Shaping Scout
During a childs formative years, the smallest things can often have a profound effect on
their life. They can remember the details of what is told to them, and what others around them
think. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many different attitudes and ideas about race and
class are presented. Scouts life is greatly influenced by the views of her friends, family, and
society.
One of the main impacts on Scouts life is her friends, whom range in varied interests and
ages. One of her closest friends is Miss Maudie, who often offers tidbits of information that
teach Scout about the world. One such lesson is about the meaning of courage. After Atticus
loses the trial, Miss Maudie explains that there are some men in this world who were born to do
[their] unpleasant jobs for [them]. [Atticus is] one of them (Lee 288). Miss Maudie explains
that simply doing the right thing, even if it does not have the most optimal outcome, still inspires
change and progressive thought. She teaches Scout that her fathers courage and insight is
important to the development of their town, even if the town does not want it. Scout is
influenced by Miss Maudies perception of her father and by her message of courage. She
begins to understand the different strengths of the people around her. Scout is also influenced by
Dill, who is even more outgoing and accepting than Scout. Mr. Raymond, who has mixed
children, invites Dill and Scout to sit by him. Dill follows him, but as Mr. Dolphus Raymond
[is] an evil man [Scout] accept[s] his invitation reluctantly, but [she] follow[s] Dill (Lee 267).

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Scout realizes that Mr. Raymond is in fact kind, something that she will not have known if Dill
has not urged her to come along. In this, Dill teaches Scout to trust people, not others
perception of them. Scout proceeds to have a more open mind and is more attuned to their
character. Scout is also influenced by her peers. One such instance occurs when Cecil Jacobs
accuses Atticus of being a n- lover, prompting Scout to fight Cecil in Atticuss defense. Scout is
often pressured by her friends who dont believe in her familys values. Scouts friends greatly
impact her life.
Scouts mindset is influenced by the ideas of her family. The most prominent influence is
Atticus, who teaches Scout the importance of empathy. After Scout disagrees with her new
teacher, Atticus explains that she will never really understand a person until [she considers]
things from [their] point of view until [she] climb[s] into [their] skin and walk[s] around in it
(Lee 39). This teaches Scout to have the ability to look at situations from other perspectives and
have an open mind towards other people. It leads Scout to be more empathetic towards her
teacher, and she understands what makes her teacher act the way she does. This influences Scout
to give others a second chance. This profound effect on her actions is seen when she finally
meets Boo Radley and shows great empathy and understanding. Although Atticuss values are
influential to Scouts thinking, they are the opposite of Alexandras. Aunt Alexandra asks Atticus
to tell Jem and Scout that they must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that [they]
are. She wants to talk to [them] about the family and what its meant so [they will] have some
idea of who [they] are, so [they] might be moved to behave accordingly (Lee 178). Atticus has
a hard time saying this because it is contrary to his beliefs, which are to treat all others equal to
themselves. However, Alexandra attempts to influence Scout into believing that because she is
higher in social ranking, she should treat all others below her as inferior. This affects Scout

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because she is not sure if she should be open and accepting , or follow her familys traditional
values. Lastly, Scout is influenced by her brother Jem, who shares many of Atticuss ideals.
During Tom Robinsons trial, Jem strongly believes that Tom Robinson should be acquitted by
the jury, which influences Scout to take this viewpoint as well. It also causes Scout to believe in
what is morally right, rather than what the majority believes in. Scout often takes up the ideas
and values of her family due to their influence.
One of the largest influences on Scout is the attitudes of her society. During one of the
meetings of the town ladies, they agree that people in the north set African Americans free,
whereas southerners do not have the deceit to say to [blacks] yes [blacks] are as good as
[whites] are but stay away from [whites]. Down [in the south they] just say [blacks] live [their]
way and [whites will] live [theirs] (Lee 313). This kind of belief leads Scout to think that the
separation of blacks and whites in Maycomb is normal and morally justified. It influences her to
think that the inequality in her community can be overlooked. When one Maycomb resident, Mr.
Raymond, defies these stigmas, Scout has a feeling that [she should not] be here listening to this
sinful man who had mixed children (Lee 268). Scout believes this because that is the sentiment
of her society. This sentiment makes it difficult for her to accept others who defy convention.
Although she does eventually overcome this, Scout spends a good majority of her time believing
others in her community are wrong when they are just radical for the time. Scout sees yet
another view that her society holds when the people who attend Tom Robinsons trial are happy
that he gets convicted, simply because he is black. This view is in conflict with that of her father,
and influences her to feel defensive of his viewpoints. However, it also makes her feel as though
everyone else in the town is different from her, and she sometimes has a hard time because she

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wants to relate to both her community and family. Scout is often affected by the actions and
ideas of her society.
The views and attitudes of Scouts family, friends, and society greatly influence her life.
Scout is surrounded by diverse ideas and opinions, but she forms her own unique set of values to respect and honor all people.

Works Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird. NY: Grand Central Publishing, 1960. Print.