In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, reflect on the discussion between Atticus and Scout regarding school attendance and the Ewells. What point is...

In Chapter 3, Scout has a rough first day of school and discusses the day's misfortunes with her father. Scout tells her father that she doesn't want to go to school anymore, and Atticus teaches her a lesson in perspective. Atticus tells her that if she considered things from another person's point of view, and "climb into his skin and walk around in it" she would get along with people better. (Lee 39) Scout continues to argue with Atticus about attending school. She mentions that Burris Ewell doesn't have to go to school for the rest of year because the truant officer "reckons she's carried out the law when she gets his name on the roll---." (Lee 40) Atticus tells her that sometimes it's better to bend the law in special cases. He explains to Scout that the Ewells are a despicable family, and the Maycomb community is forced to allow certain concessions that other members of society don't get to share. Atticus says the Ewells "were people, but they lived like animals." (Lee 40) Bob Ewell is an alcoholic who spends his relief check on whisky, and if he weren't allowed to hunt out of season, the Ewell children would starve. Scout learns that in some special cases, like that of the Ewells, rules can be bent to accommodate certain people.