Atticus Finch gives his daughter, Jean-Louise (Scout), a valuable piece of advice: "You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them." Many of the people in Maycomb County have never taken the time to put Atticus" guidance into practise, and this is why some townspeople in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, are misunderstood and unfairly judged. Tom Robinson and Mrs Dubose are both examples of misunderstood or unjustly condemned people in Maycomb.
Tom Robinson is an unfairly judged Negro citizen of Maycomb. A jury of white men find him guilty of a crime he did not commit, and he is consequently taken to jail where he is killed for attempting to escape. This decent father and loving husband is judged as a cold-blooded rapist by the white Maycomb community, because their racist views keep them from understanding who the real Tom Robinson is.
Another misunderstood member of Maycomb County is Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose. Lee describes her as an old, bad tempered woman who lives two doors away from the Finches, and seemingly delights in terrorising Scout and her brother, Jem. But under her rough exterior, Mrs Dubose is a morphine addict who refuses to die whilst dependant on drugs. Atticus recognises how courageous her struggle to be free of her addiction is. "She was the bravest person I ever knew," he tells his children. Jem, Scout, and many other townspeople misjudge Mrs Dubose because of her feisty nature, but finally understand her true spirit after her death.
The theme of misunderstood and unfairly judged people is predominant in Harper Lee's novel. Although this story is set in the 1950's, this particular topic is still very relevant today. Maybe it would be wise to heed Atticus Finch's advice, and walk around in our neighbours" shoes from time to time. .
