Skip to main content

What is a quote that indicates compassion on the part of Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Miss Maudie truly embodies compassion as she always finds kind words for people who are deserving of them.


---In Chapter 5, for instance, when Scout inquires about Boo Radley, Miss Maudie demands that Scout refer to the unusual inhabitant of the house across the street as Arthur, for this is his name. Then, after Scout's inquisitive questions about Arthur Radley, Miss Maudie tells Scout that the Radley house is a "sad house," adding compassionately, 


"...I...

Miss Maudie truly embodies compassion as she always finds kind words for people who are deserving of them.


---In Chapter 5, for instance, when Scout inquires about Boo Radley, Miss Maudie demands that Scout refer to the unusual inhabitant of the house across the street as Arthur, for this is his name. Then, after Scout's inquisitive questions about Arthur Radley, Miss Maudie tells Scout that the Radley house is a "sad house," adding compassionately, 



"...I remember Arthur Radley when he was a boy. He always spoke nicely to me, no matter what folks said he did. Spoke as nicely as he knew how."
"You reckon he's crazy?" Scout innocently asks.
"If he's not he should be by now. The things that happen to people we never really know. What happens in houses behind closed doors, what secrets--"



---Another example of Miss Maudie's compassion is found in the second part of the novel, and this time Miss Maudie exercises her empathy with regard to Alexandra, the sister of Atticus Finch, who has become offended by the remarks of the sanctimonious hypocrite Mrs. Merriweather. For, not too subtly, Mrs. Merriweather derogates those who are "misguided" as they think they are doing the right thing by defending Tom Robinson, "but all they did was stir 'em up." She adds that now her maid Sophy acts sultry and "dissatisfied."


While Mrs. Merriweather pauses for a moment, Miss Maudie asks her, "His food doesn't stick going down, does it?"



"Maudie, I'm sure I don't know what you mean," said Mrs. Merriweather.
"I'm sure you do," Miss Maudie said shortly.



Hearing this exchange, Aunt Alexandra gives Miss Maudie a look of pure gratitude for her compassion and respect for Atticus.


Later, Miss Maudie commiserates with Alexandra, who becomes distraught when she learns that Tom Robinson has been shot for his desperate attempt to escape from prison. Further, Alexandra complains that the citizens are tearing her brother Atticus to pieces, and they are willing to let him "do what they're too afraid to do themselves," adding that they are ruining Atticus's health over the current issues.


Miss Maudie again consoles Alexandra:



"Whether Maycomb knows it or not we're paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple."


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more