“When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t doneany of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . .” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.” He turned out the light and went into Jem’s room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning” (Lee 376).

In the last few pages of the book, Scout asks Atticus to read her a bedtime story called “The Gray Ghost”. The book is about a man who is caught of a crime he did not commit. When he is caught, he is found to be innocent. When he reads, she eventually falls asleep on her father's lap. Scout mutters in her sleep “When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t doneany of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . .”(Lee 376).  He picks Scout up and puts her to bed very lovingly.

These are the last words of the novel. Through these words, Harper Lee sums up the novel and reminds the reader of the messages she tried to convey throughout the book. Lee made Scout a very sympathetic and innocent character on purpose. Through Scout’s eyes Lee really stressed the injustice and unfairness African-Americans faced during this time period. Scout does not seem to understand why people like Tom Robinson and the man from “The Gray Ghost” are treated unfairly. A major message that Lee conveys is the importance of one having understanding for others. The same way Scout did not understand Boo Radley, but he ended up saving her and her brother in the end. Atticus responds to Scout by saying “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them” (376). When they are talking about the man from the story, it is implied that they are really talking about Boo Radley. The kids never really saw Boo until he saved them from Bob Ewell. After hearing stories of him, they believed he was unkind. However, after he saved them, they saw Boo for who he really is; a kind person who stood up for Jem and Scout in their time of need. 

            The way the book ends also has a comforting and safe feeling. Atticus really loves his children and despite being a busy single parent, does the best he is able. After tucking Scout in, he goes to sit by Jem’s bed all night and watch over him. This closes the book with the sense that the Finch family is safe and happy, and everything will be okay.