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To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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How do Jem and Scout treat Walter Cunningham differently in To Kill a Mockingbird?

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In To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem and Scout treat Walter Cunningham differently in that Jem feels sympathy for Walter and shows him kindness, where Scout is angry with Walter for making her "start off on the wrong foot" at school, attacking him outside. Jem understands that the Cunningham family is poor, and he invites Walter over for lunch.

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In chapter 3, Jem treats Walter Cunningham Jr. differently than Scout by exercising sympathy and hospitality towards him, while Scout is primarily focused on harming Walter for making her "start off on the wrong foot." At the beginning of the chapter, Scout proceeds to rub Walter's nose in the dirt before Jem intervenes and tells her to leave him alone. After forcing Scout to leave Walter alone, Jem recognizes that Atticus is friends with Walter's father and proceeds to invite him over for lunch. Jem demonstrates sympathy for Walter by offering him food since he had nothing to eat at school, which is a kind gesture. During their walk home, Jem makes pleasant conversation with Walter by briefly discussing Boo Radley and treats him with respect. Scout's comment illustrates Jem's courteous nature and reflects her prejudice when she says,

By the time we reached our front steps Walter had...

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forgotten he was a Cunningham.

During lunch, Jem and Scout listen as Walter discusses crops with Atticus, and Walter proceeds to ask for some syrup. When Walter pours the syrup on his vegetables, Scout rudely comments on his strange eating habits, which embarrasses Walter and upsets Calpurnia, who chastises Scout in the kitchen. In the kitchen, Calpurnia refers to Walter Cunningham as their company, and Scout once again demonstrates her prejudice by commenting,

He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham-."

Following lunch, Jem continues to treat Walter as his equal and makes him feel comfortable by walking him back to school. Overall, Scout views Walter Cunningham as beneath her because he is a poor country boy from Old Sarum. She also resents Walter for getting her into trouble with Miss Caroline and embarrasses him during lunch. In contrast, Jem goes out of his way to make Walter feel comfortable and treats him with kindness and respect.

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