After Walter has a scuffle on the playground of the school with Scout, Jem invites Walter over for lunch. Walter Cunningham is too poor to bring a lunch to school, and it is very kind for Jem to ask him over. When they sit down at the dining room table, Atticus talks to Walter about crops and farming. These are subjects that Walter would know about, and it makes Walter feel welcome and a little less anxious to be having lunch at the Finches.
Atticus treats Walter with kindness and respect. Even though Atticus, Scout, and Jem are of a higher social class, Atticus receives Walter with empathy and understanding. Just like Atticus accepts Walter’s father’s payment of legal services in food crops for it is all he can afford, Atticus accepts Walter for who he is. He doesn’t talk down to Walter but engages him with compassion and friendliness that involves an understanding of Walter’s life and circumstances.
It is no surprise that Atticus treats Walter with respect and understanding; Atticus treats everyone the same way. It is also after this lunch with Walter that Atticus teaches Scout about walking around in another person’s skin to truly understand someone. Atticus’ non-judgmental attitude towards all people makes him a man to admire and appreciate.
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