"Most people are, Scout, once you finally see them"
This phrase, spoken by Atticus, represents many people and situations throughout the book, most notably Boo Radley. The stereotype of Boo, being a spooky, mad and dangerous character was known to the children long before they'd ever met him. This stereotype, made up of stories, suspicions and rumours, made them scared even to go near the Radley House for fear of Boo. Eventually, though, through many kindnesses, big and small, Boo is proven to be a kind, generous and honest character. This serves as a lesson in never judging a person before you've gotten to know them. The phrase is particularly well chosen, as it represents how misguided the children, and indeed the whole town were in their judgement of Boo. "Once you finally see them" represents that the assumptions that were made were made with no evidence, as no one had seen Boo Radley for many, many years. When Scout did literally finally see Boo Radley, she also metaphorically saw him for who he truly was.
The lesson of never judging someone before you've gotten to know someone, also goes for people you have gotten to know, or think you have gotten to know. Earlier in the book, the children met Mrs Dubose, and had formed an opinion of her from their experiences which, to their knowledge, was accurate, but still they were proved wrong in the end. The phrase "most people are once you finally see them" is true here, as it hints that to really understand someone you need to do more than just meet them. To "finally see" someone indicates effort, a long, determined effort to find out who a person truly is by understanding their back story, their deeper sentiments and their motives. This phrase exhibits how it is not always easy to see the good in someone, but also how there is always some good in a person, no matter how deeply it is hidden, or how well it is disguised.
The lesson of never judging someone before you've gotten to know someone, also goes for people you have gotten to know, or think you have gotten to know. Earlier in the book, the children met Mrs Dubose, and had formed an opinion of her from their experiences which, to their knowledge, was accurate, but still they were proved wrong in the end. The phrase "most people are once you finally see them" is true here, as it hints that to really understand someone you need to do more than just meet them. To "finally see" someone indicates effort, a long, determined effort to find out who a person truly is by understanding their back story, their deeper sentiments and their motives. This phrase exhibits how it is not always easy to see the good in someone, but also how there is always some good in a person, no matter how deeply it is hidden, or how well it is disguised.