The Importance of Moral Education

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in place and time during which moral education and education in general was not of much importance. This lack of moral education leads to many instances during the novel in which narrow-minded people’s views conflict with people that have some morals such as Atticus and his daughter Scout. When Scout first went to school her conflict with Miss Caroline reflect her lack of moral education.

"'Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now.'
I mumbled that I was sorry and retired meditating upon my crime."
(Page 23. Chapter 2)

This scene in which Miss Caroline scolds Scout knowing how to read & write show her lack of knowledge that knowing how to read & write beforehand is in fact a good attribute and not something to be ashamed of. Miss Caroline like others in the town lack this moral education that if someone is very bright and is excelling further then others then this individual should be praised and not discouraged. Atticus in my opinion is the best example having good moral education because Atticus knows that certain social custom like racism are wrong while others blindly choose to follow them and continue doing wrong. Atticus being the good father he tries to instill some these morals into his children by teaching them lessons.

"'First of all,' he said, 'If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-'
'Sir?'
'-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'" Page 39. Chapter 3)

After feeling bad about being scolded by Miss Caroline, Scout consoles with Atticus who gives her very useful advice that by feeling empathy her time at school and experience with ignorant people will be much easier to deal with. As one you reads the quote can tell Atticus has given Scout a very good lesson giving her better moral education.