In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, society attempts to shape and influence Scout (and all children, we can infer), and how she sees the changing world around her, while characters such as Atticus and Miss Maudie encourage her to view much of what happens with an unjaundiced eye, leading with her heart and not the prejudicial sentiments of many of Maycomb's residents.
For example, the menfolk from town have decided upon Tom Robinson's guilt, so much so that they come to the jail to lynch him. Atticus is prepared for this possibility and has parked his chair in front of the building's door. Out of curiosity, Scout follows Jem who is worried about Atticus. Scout does not comprehend what is going on, especially that the situation is extremely dangerous for Tom, Atticus and the children.
In this scene, the norm of this predominantly white community (that remembers the Civil War and the South's defeat all too clearly) is to take the law into their hands, regardless of the justice system that guarantees all men—including Tom—a fair trial. This incident demonstrates a majority—moreover, a mob mentality, of which Scout is unaware. Trying to sort things out, Scout searches for common ground in this unfamiliar landscape.
I sought once more for a familiar face, and at the center of the semi-circle I found one. “Hey, Mr. Cunningham.”
Scout strikes up a conversation with Mr. Cunningham, speaking to him with a child's innocence about former business between him and Atticus. She says to her father:
Well, Atticus, I was just sayin' to Mr. Cunningham that entailments are bad an' all that, but you said not to worry...that you all'd ride it out together....
It seems that Scout's perceptions, fostered by those who love her, lead her to not only connect with the older man, but also infer that things will be all right if they stick together. Then, inadvertently, Scout calls up the image of his son, who Scout goes to school with.
“Tell Walter hey for me, won't you?"
While the mob might try to set a tone of intolerance and division, Scout has been taught differently. She sees neighbors, while the men in the mob see an enemy, a threat. It is only in reminding Walter Cunningham of his relationship with Atticus and her relationship with his son that the man is able to pull himself together and reconnect with his humanity—creating a disconnect from the influence of the mob he is with.
While this society tries to teach Scout (and presumably all children in Maycomb) that men are dominant over all things (like nature) and that white men are the superior race, Scout learns that respect and tolerance are the moral choices to make, most especially in protection of those who do no harm—those needing protection. Specifically, when the kids receive their guns at Christmas, they are taught not to harm the mockingbird:
"Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. "Your father’s right," she said. "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy...they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us."
This social guidance later allows Scout to apply the lesson with Boo Radley. He, too, does no harm (he is the essence of innocence), even though he is tormented by town rumors and fearfully oppressed by his brother. This attitude is exemplified for Scout in Chief Tate's decision to protect Boo at the novel's end.
Taking the one who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that’s a sin. It’s a sin and I’m not about to have it on my head. If it was any other man it’d be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch.
Not only does Boo do no harm, he saves the lives of Scout and Jem, and protects society from further attacks by Bob Ewell. Scout chooses to protect him as well, talking with him quietly, with genuine care and regard, and walking him home after Bob Ewell's attack and death.
While a large segment of the people of fictitious Maycomb are harsh and cruel in many ways (Bob Ewell, Mrs. Dubose, etc.), other members of the community (Atticus, Miss Maudie, Rev. Sykes, Calpurnia, etc.) teach and shape Scout to understand and reflect (in her thinking and actions) a better and kinder segment of Maycomb society.
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