Maturity is essential for life and people go through different processes to achieve it. However many people never mature, and they lose themselves in childish worlds of ignorance. Empathy is an essential tool for reaching maturity, which is prevalent through Scout, a character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. In her novel, Scout matures by following her father’s advice to “climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (39) Examining how Scout treats the Cunninghams, Mayella Ewell and Boo Radley, empathy allowing for maturity is clear.

The way Scout treats the Cunninghams shows Scout maturing through empathy. Near the beginning of the novel, Walter Cunningham’s behavior at the dinner table disgusts Scout. Throughout the meal, Scout acts …show more content…
When Scout was younger, she would torment Boo Radley by playing tricks on him and playing offensive games to his expense. Her poor treatment of Boo forces Atticus to stop her. He commands her to “‘stop tormenting that man.” (65) However, throughout the story, Scout begins to learn more about Boo Radley. She begins noticing his acts of kindness from leaving gifts, to saving her life. When she takes Atticus’s advice to heart, she treats Boo Radley with the respect he deserves. She begins to understand that Boo is not used to bright lights, describing the living room lights as “awfully strong.” (364) So as an act of kindness, she sits with him outside on the porch. Her maturity is clear when she walks Boo back home, and she reaches an epiphany that “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around them.” (374)

Expressing empathy is essential for growth in the modern world. Just like the era Scout grew up in, it is essential to shed prejudice and preconceived opinions about others. Sadly, hatred to others clouds the world. Scout's growth reflects this as society cannot improve itself without compassion felt towards others. Just as To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age story for Scout, the lessons she learn act as a guide for society as a whole to “come of age” to solve its