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Anthony Om
Mrs. Ingram
English 1 Honors
15 February 16
Social Influences on Scout
Influences are everywhere from books to people and even from everyday interaction with
people on the street, and the influences of a person as they grow up can determine the character
of the person. But how can these influences affect a little girl with the name of Scout. In To Kill
A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the trail of Tom Robinson and everything that sprung from it like
a chain reaction influences Scout as she grows up in the town of Maycomb Alabama. These
influences that affect Scout are from her friends, family and the society she lives in.
One of the main influences on scout is her family and it includes Atticus, Calpurnia and
Alexandra. Atticus, being the father of Scout, is a major influence on her. Atticus teaches Scout
various lessons including that to kill a mockingbird is a sin. Also when Scout refuses to go to
school because of the way Miss Caroline teaches school, that someone never really understand
a person until [they]consider things from his point of view(Lee 39). Atticus is telling Scout not
to judge people because of their actions until she knows what it feels like to them. Another
family member of the Finches that influences Scout is Calpurnia. Calpurnia is close to being the
mother like figure of Scout. Calpurnia influences Scout to have reason and to respect others no
matter how different they are. When Scout looks at Walter Cunningham for eating like a pig at
dinner, Calpurnia reminds Scout That boys [her] comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the
tablecloth ... let him(Lee 32). Walter Cunningham is a poor boy and usually has a empty plate,
Calpurnia teaches Scout that if someone acts differently or is different, there is no reason to treat

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them differently. Alexandra is another family influence on scout. Alexandra tries to influence
Scout to be more ladylike. Her words have on effect on Scout but her actions does. After hearing
the news of the death of Tom Robinson, Alexandra calmly continues to host her get together like
nothing ever happened. Scout now thinks if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could
[everyone](Lee 318). Alexandra wants to have Scout gain manners and to overall be more
ladylike and Alexandra has now set an example for scout to follow. The family of Scout is a
major influence on Scout and a positive one.
Another big influence on Scout is the society of the town Scout grows up in,Maycomb
Alabama. The influence of the racist southern town of Maycomb has Scout to believe that the
unfair treatment of African Americans is normal. When Dill starts to cry during the harsh cross
examination of Tom Robinson by Mr. Glimer, Scout explains to Dill after all hes just a
negro(Lee 266). The towns constant racism has scout to think that if someone is African
American it is normal to treat them differently even though the skin color of someone does not
determine how to treat someone. Another example of the society in Maycomb that has influence
over Scout is when her dad starts defending Tom Robinson an African American man. The town
of Maycomb has racial prejudice against African Americans in their minds and anyone who does
not agree is not given the same amount of respect. This affects Scout because she has to learn
how to ignore and not to retaliate against what everyone is saying to her. Also because of how
racist some of the citizens of Maycomb are, Scout has trouble understanding why defending an
African American is wrong to some. Scout has some difficulty understanding Atticus defending
an African American because Ceil made it sound like [Atticus] were running a still(Lee 100).
This influences Scout because now she has to change her views on what is right and public

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opinion and to question what others are saying. The society of Maycomb Alabama is a negative
influence on Scout because of their racial preferences.
The final major influence on Scout is her friends. Dill or Charles Baker Harris is a
close friend of both Jem and Scout. Dill influences Scout to be adventurous with their daring
trips to the Boo Radley residence. But also to have an open mind because his outrageous lies
about himself, Scout later on realises that one must lie under certain circumstances and at all
times when one cant do anything about them(Lee 171). Dills influence teaches Scout that lying
can help save the feelings of someone, and in Dills case to hide the dreadful truth from
themselves. Another one of Scouts friends is Miss Maudie. Miss Maudie is one of Scouts adult
friends who, like Atticus is an important influence Scout. One of the lessons that Miss Maudie
teaches Scout to not dig into the business of people and to not spread rumors. When Scout shares
the stories of Boo Radley to Miss Maudie, she believes the stories of Boo are three-fourths
colored folks and one-fourth Stephanie Crawford(Lee 60). Miss Maudie is telling Scout to not
believe in lies and rumours spread around, and not spread them like Stephanie does. The
influence of Miss Maudie teaches Scout to always be a optimist no matter the situation. When
Scout goes to Miss Maudie to comfort her after her house fire, Miss Maudie simply responds
with how she hates the house anyways and now she is going to get the finest yard in Alabama.
Miss Maudie teaches Scout to be an optimist because they should not let situations like that
control them. Miss Maudie and Dill influences Scout in positive way because Scout now knows
to be optimistic, to not spread rumours and to have a open mind.
Scouts family, friends and the society of Maycomb are an enormous influence on her as
she grows up. These influences have set the principles Scout will grow up to believe in, whether
it be the good and honest examples from Atticus, Miss Maudie,Calpurnia and Dill or some of the

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bad examples set by the racist society of Maycomb. These influences are the determining factor
of who she will be.