Final answer:
Atticus Finch advises Scout that the best way to understand people is to try and see things from their perspective by metaphorically hopping into their skin, a theme central to Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird', which emphasizes empathy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The person who advises Scout that the best way to understand people is to "hop into their skin" is Atticus Finch, her father, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This metaphorical advice means that one must consider things from another person's perspective to truly understand their thoughts and feelings. By metaphorically stepping into another's shoes—or skin—one cultivates empathy and comprehension of their situation.
Atticus Finch's teaching is a central theme in the novel<, emphasizing the importance of empathy and the human tendency to judge others without understanding their circumstances. To "hop into their skin" does not just imply a superficial glimpse into someone's life, but rather an immersive experience that enables one to see the world through that person's eyes and gain a deeper, more meaningful understanding.