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."