“If you learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This is just one of many examples of Atticus Finch parenting his children. When it comes to parenting, Atticus Finch, a fictional character in the 1960 novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, certainly knows what he’s talking about. His unique, then controversial, approach at raising Scout and Jem is a big part in To Kill A Mockingbird. He teaches them to be themselves and not care about what other people think of them, he teaches them to not judge people unless they really know what they’re going through, or their side of the story. …show more content…
In the novel he states, “No matter what anybody says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat.” This shows how Atticus teaches Scout that even if someone doesn’t agree with you, it doesn't mean you should let them change your mind, or “get your goat.” Everyone has their own opinions and they’re titled to those opinions, but you are also entitled to your opinions, so don’t let anyone change your mind. Another example from the novel is, “You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down.” Atticus teaches Scout in this quote to keep her fists down and keep her head high. Instead of fighting, and getting mad, don’t let them get to
In the case of to Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee crafts a clear idea of family dynamic between the main characters, using the parent-child relationship between Atticus, Jem, and Scout as the main example. Atticus, who raised Scout and Jem as a single parent, passes his morals to his children in order to help them see the world in a more productive and open minded way. While talking to Scout about how to better get along with people, Atticus explains to her that “ ‘[you] never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it’ “ (Lee 39). This advice from Atticus affects Scout and her outlook on how she has dealt with others, and this change is how her family, mainly Atticus, impacts her and makes her a better person. This family influence also applied to Jem. For Example, when Bob Ewell dies and Heck Tate is trying to explain to Atticus why Jem should not come forward as guilty, Atticus tells Heck Tate that he needs Jem to be treated fairly: “ ‘If this things hushed up, it would be a simple denial to Jem of the way I've raised him. Sometimes I think I’m a total failure of a parent, but I’m all they've got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so that I can look squarely back at him…” (Lee 366). Atticus wants Jem to be treated like an adult because Atticus raised Jem to take responsibility for his actions, and although he questions how he raised Jem and Scout, he wants to stay committed to what he is trying to teach them. This family relationship shows how Atticus taught his children, but also
Atticus Finch is widely regarded as one of the most influential characters in modern literature. His pivotal role in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee exemplifies this influence and demonstrates his positive effect on his children, Jem and Scout. Throughout the novel, Atticus leads by example and provides lessons and teachings for his children to follow. His wisdom proves to be an instrumental part in the maturation and development of his children, and helps them to grow, learn, and adapt to the changing world around them. Atticus Finch teaches his children important lessons by forcing Jem read to Mrs. Dubose, remaining pacifistic, and defending Tom Robinson; therefore, he is a beneficial father and role model for his children.
Many people see Atticus’ teachings or method for upbringing as being ‘wrong’, nonetheless little do they know what the outcomes the kids are having. Having people like Atticus and Calpurnia quite involved in their lives, even people like Aunt Alexandra help to build a sense of morality. These morals are built around who and what they are exposed to, and as Jem and Scout grow up, they seem to learn more about the world and about how people aren’t always as good as they thought that they were. However they also realise that most people are good. This is what they learn to realise not everything is as it seems or made out to be. A classic example is Boo Radley. To the kids, he was made out to be a terrible person, when ironically he was the one that saved them from evil. Arguably this wouldn’t have been possible or have happened if Atticus hadn’t given the kids as much freedom as they had, and then the kids would have still been numb to the idea of questioning things and would have just taken someone’s word for
Atticus Finch’s teaching shows that he is a good father to Jem and Scout because he explains things that the children don’t understand. For example, when Atticus and Scout agree that they will go on reading every night, Atticus says, “I’m afraid our activities would be received with considerable disapprobation by the more learned authorities.” Scout says, “Huh,
Atticus Finch displayed a notably unusual parenting style throughout the book. Atticus speaks to his children in a completely open manner, not sugarcoating anything, essentially conversing with them as honestly as he would with a fellow adult. Atticus' behavior towards his kids demonstrates the respect he feels towards them. He seems to think that they are mature enough to handle topics most people don't think are suitable for children. Not only is he open and honest with Jem and Scout, he even makes compromises and promises between them and himself, whereas other parents would have a mentality consisting more of "I have the final say in the
Atticus Finch is a model father created by Harper Lee in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird. He is an important figure in the Maycomb, Alabama Community. He raises his children, Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) with wide sets of morals, disciplines them, and is a true role model. Atticus allows his children to be individuals and does not try to change who they are. He teaches them fairness and equality among many different types of people in Maycomb. He is always teaching his children about how their actions may affect others, then, as a result, devices punishments to teach Scout and Jem valued life lessons. In many situations, Atticus can chastise his children, but he allows them mature and notice their own mistakes
In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is represented as the stereotypical, all well-knowing fatherly figure to Jem and Scout, and more than oftenly teaches them moral lessons and how to behave as they are transitioning into young adulthood. Three values that Atticus Finch heavily instills within his children is to live humbly, swear by equality, and have respect for everyone no matter what color your skin is or what you believe in. These values shape and mold each Jem and Scout into independently minded children who learn wrong from right as the book’s plotline continues.
Atticus says to Scout, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change…it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning” (101). What he is telling Scout is to think with her mind and not her hands when someone says something about Atticus or anyone else in the family,
During the story, “To Kill a Mockingbird” Atticus Finch represented a man of less words and more of an action. He believed that his kids should be respectful and kind and do as he says. Throughout the story the reader follows Scout and Jem through their journey. Even though Scout and Jem did certain things they were not supposed to do, Atticus saw that they would not do it again and that they were mature enough to handle the situation.
In the novel: To Kill a Mockingbird there are two children named Jem finch and Scout Finch. Throughout the novel these two kids are going through the neighborhood messing with the neighbors like Arthur Radley (Boo). Atticus is their father who tries to tell them not to bother Mr. Radley and tries to teach them that, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This is very powerful quote because it impacts Scout and Jem because it helps them grow and mature as they get older.
Lastly, Atticus emphasizes how vital inner peace and making the moral decision in a given situation is to maturation. For instance, in a conversation with his children, Atticus comments, “Before I can live with other folks I got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by a majority rule is a man’s conscience.” (Lee 105) By emphasizing the importance of having personal integrity and doing the ethical thing in any circumstance, Atticus provides his children with wisdom that will carry them through life. Therefore, through unremittingly reiterating the importance of moral decisions, proving the need for pacifism and establishing the importance of multiple perspectives, Atticus verifies himself as a major contributor in Jem and Scout’s development into adolescence.
I have gained many new writing skills over the semester. One of the skills is embedding quotes. Here is an example of me embedding from the Literary Analysis Essay, “Atticus stated to his children, ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win’ to explain to his children to try no matter how challenging (Lee 101)” (poop 2). I just wrote that Atticus stated something for the quote format. I was ecstatic about how well I did on embedding quotes. One more skill I learned was how to make a thesis statement. Here is a thesis statement from the Literary Analysis Essay, “Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird shows that Atticus Finch’s parenting style is authoritative as shown by him setting high
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” –Jim Valvano. This quote by Jim Valvano helps display how parents should always believe in their children. Everyone in the world can be against what a child believes in, but a good parent always puts faith into their children. The characteristic Atticus Finch is an exemplary case where a parent has faith in his children, especially in his son, Jem Finch.
Atticus Finch’s strategy for being a parent is very unique to most other parents. He teaches Jem and Scout through real life experiences. For example, when they went to the court case to watch the accusation of Tom Robinson. Harper Lee writes, “‘Jem,’ I said, ‘are those the Ewells sittin’ down
While many may view a family as a mother and a father raising a few children, Atticus Finch proves that a family doesn’t have to fit the mold to flourish. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus raises his two children, Jem and Scout, after his wife passed away. Just because Atticus isn’t married, doesn't mean he isn’t able to provide for his children physically, emotionally, and mentally. Miss Maudie comments on his parenting by saying, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee 61). Atticus is a good parent for his children because he is able to set an example without remarrying. Scout and Jem learn to be honest, kind, and respectful to everyone from Atticus. Scout, the novel’s narrator, doesn’t feel any sense of emptiness by not having a mother to raise her. The Finch’s may not be a traditional family, but Atticus’s parenting shows that they are able to be successful and happy.