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."


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Can you analyze the poem "Absolution" by Siegfried Sassoon?

Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and... Sure! Siegfried Sassoon fought in World War I and was wounded in battle; he spent much of his life speaking out against war, and these pacifist feelings are easy to see in his poems. This one, "Absolution," was published in 1917, the same year that Sassoon was hospitalized for what we know today as post-traumatic stress disorder. "Absolution" is a short poem that contains three stanzas of four lines each. The word "absolution" means "forgiveness," and the v...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...