Chapter 5+6 To Kill a Mockingbird

Empathy is a developing topic in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee shown through several characters. For instance, when Scout thinks "As [she] was the last to leave, [she] saw her sink down into her chair and bury her head in her arms. Had her conduct been more friendly toward [Scout], [she] would have felt sorry for her" (Lee 22). This shows how Scout was feeling empathetic of Miss Caroline because she was tired and defeated. Scout wanted to feel sympathy for her but since Miss Caroline hadn't been empathetic towards Scout, Scout was a little let down with her new teacher. Furthermore, when Miss Maudie said "Arthur Radley just stays in the house, that's all, wouldn't you stay in the house if you didn't want to come out?" (Lee 44). This displays the empathy that Miss Maudie has for Arthur Radley because she understands him. This also reveals that she does not want to disturb the Radleys because she thinks that they have the right to be alone and do as they please. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, you can see the devolving topic of empathy in the first six chapters.