The most important lessons in life are
taught over time, and for that matter, in mysterious ways. For example: in
Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout learns to "walk around in other
peoples skin" throughout the story, starting with her first grade teacher,
Miss Caroline. Miss Caroline possess a caring, new, and almost territorial
persona that while butts heads with Jean
(Scout) Louise Finch, it gives the young girl her first taste of seeing others
perspectives.
Miss Caroline is first introduced as
Jean, a growing lady around seven, starts first grade in an excited flurry. “Miss
Caroline is no more than twenty one. She had bright auburn hair, pink cheeks,
and wore crimson finger nail polish…She looked and smelled like a peppermint
drop." (Lee 18) However Jean
quickly learns that the school life is not all its cracked up to be, largely
based on her misfortunes with Miss Caroline. “Miss Caroline stood stock still,
then grabbed me by my collar and hauled me back to her desk.’ Jean Louise, I've
had about enough of you this morning,' she said, ' you’re starting off on the
wrong foot in every way, my dear.' "(Lee 24)
Miss Caroline displays how she is new
and unfamiliar when Jean and other children must explain the ways of the town
when Miss Caroline attempts to give Walter Cunningham a quarter to buy lunch,
and states that he can pay her back later. “‘Miss Caroline, he's a Cunningham.'
I sat back down.
'What, Jean Louise?' I thought I had
made things sufficiently clear. It was clear to the rest of us…
'That's okay, ma'am, you'll get to
know all the country folks after a while.' " (Lee 22) This lead Miss
Caroline to become further upset with Jean, as the young lady ends her
statement with; " ' You're shamin' him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn't got a
quarter at home to bring you.' “(Lee 24) As Jean ends the explanation, Miss
Caroline is only further angered, as Jean irritated Miss Caroline earlier that
day as well.
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