Atticus’s parenting style can be caring, but also strict. We can see that Atticus’s parenting style in caring in how he handles Scout's first day of school. Even though Atticus did not go to school he can see how all of this happening would be hard for her. He also comforts her by reassuring her that as long as she agrees to go to school, she will continue to read to her. Proof of this in shown in the book “If you’ll concede the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have” (Lee 41). Also in this quote, we see that Atticus refers to going to school as a “necessity” (Lee 41). Atticus considers school a necessity because he never had the privilege of going to school. We also see that Atticus has a caring parenting style …show more content…
In the past Scout has been known to not always think with her head, instead, her first instinct is usually to fight. Especially if her pride is at stake. The other side of Atticus’s parenting style is strict. We see this in mainly two incidents, his reaction the Scout, Jem, and Dill's Radley play and when he finds them trying to leave a note for Boo Radley. Atticus is strict when he finds out that they are acting out a Radley play because he does not want them to be rude to the Radleys. Also, he sees that they were playing with scissors so he says “Give me those scissors, they’re no things to play with” (Lee 53). Also, he is embarrassed that the neighbors might see what they are doing. We know that Jem, Scout, and Dill knew they were not supposed to put on this play because in the book it states, “Our activities halted when any if the neighbors appeared” (Lee 53). Another example where Atticus is strict with Jem, Scout, and Dill is when he catches them trying to leave a note on the Radley’s window specifically, Jem and leaving the note the rest were keeping watch. He is mad because again, they are bothering the
One could argue this because he is very busy and often times carries his work home with him. He occasionally misses out on his children's activities such as skipping Scout’s play. These are things that happen to all parents occasionally, because they’re human! Atticus makes very minor mistakes when compared to other parents in this novel, such as Bob Ewell.
...reinforcing the idea that the roles are now switched. Atticus keeps calm during most of the situations, but lets others boss him around and take control while he mainly sits and waits nearby. Scout and Jem begin to stand up for their father when he will not stand up for himself and act caring as if they were in charge of Atticus’ actions, protecting him from the evils of others. Scout supports this idea when she begins to talk very adult-like with Mr. Cunningham, especially showing her thoughtful wisdom when speaking of “entailments”. Atticus later shows that he is proud of his children for sticking up for him when he did not himself by massaging Jem’s hair in his “one gesture of affection.” So while Atticus often is being the best father figure he can to Scout and Jem, they are also very helpful to him by taking control of situations that he would not be able to.
Although Atticus is not like every other parent, he shows his love to his kids in his own ways. He does not need to be kissing them, hugging them or buying them things to show his affection for them. His ways are unique ways that show that Atticus is a positive parental figure. Another good piece of evidence that shows that Atticus is a positive parental figure is that he sets a good example for the children. He sets a good example by being honest and telling them why he has to defend Tom Robinson even if that decision jeopardizes his reputation and the family. When Atticus was talking to Scout about defending Tom he said, “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (100). These words show that Atticus values equality and justice and it is setting an excellent example for the kids to follow at such a young age. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, an African American man, because he believes in equality for all. Atticus also mentioned that before he tells the children to do something or follow values he, Atticus, must display them first, and he
On several occasions, Scout gets into a fight with people who make unpleasant comments about her father. Atticus continuously tells her that this is wrong and that she needs to learn to control her anger, “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. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change” (Lee 101). The day after this discussion with Atticus, Scout is approached by a fellow student who had previously made a mean comment about her father. “I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away...it was the first time I ever walked away from a fight” (Lee 102). Although she struggles at first, Scout develops a higher level of maturity which allows her to control her temper and simply defend her father with her words, without being rude. Jem is also faced with these type of situations and struggles with his anger, for instance when he attacks Mrs. Dubose’s flowers. Atticus goes to great lengths to teach his children that in life, they must learn to stay calm and be kind to everyone, despite how cruel those people may be. Scout and Jem face several situations in which their control is tested, which leads them to “come of age”
Atticus helps scout with interacting and showing her how to socialize with others while getting to know them. Atticus tries to teach scout that not everyone is going to like her but, as Atticus states, "no matter what anybody says to you, don't let them get your goat", (Chapter 9 page 101). He explains how scout should not let what people say influence her to think otherwise about something. At the same time, Atticus explains how she neither can judge anyone either, as Atticus formally says, "you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view" [...] (chapter 3 page 39). Atticus wants scout to know and understand that it is wrong to judge or assume something about somebody if you don't know the accurate reason as to why they do what they do. Being the kind, respectful man Atticus is, he also wants to teach scout the right from wrong,
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can 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” (Lee,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
Effective Conventions Made : Research shows that children are more susceptible to commit crimes, develop depression and ___ psychological disorders from the effects of bad parenting. In fact, many people grow up treating others just like how their parents treated them with reference to their parents’ values, behaviours and attitudes. Harper Lee, an American author expressed her childhood experiences in Alabama through writing the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. This book makes a reference to how society views in the Great Depression (1930s) changed to be noticeably racist impacting the life of a widowed father and lawyer named Atticus and his children Jem and Scout. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee conveys that Atticus Finch is a great
Scout the narrator of the book, goes to school on the first day of school and her teacher Miss Caroline scolds her for being able to read! She has been told that her daddy and Calpurnia are not suppose to be teaching her that stuff and she is not allowed to read or write at home anymore. This is just one of the many ways that shows one of the many themes, education takes place at home and in the community, not only in school that is portrayed throughout the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Imagine a single dad with two children he is raising in the 1930’s. This is right in the middle of the civil rights movements and there is discrimination all over the town! Atticus seems to be the only white person in the town that does not discriminate
For example, when he says “‘Well, you’ve heard it all, so you might as well hear the rest. Tell you what, you can come back once you’ve finished supper.’” (Lee 227) This shows that Atticus knows that they want to hear the court trial, so he decides to let Jem and Scout come back. This also illustrates that Atticus is a good father, because he respects what his children want. “‘I’m just going over to tell Miss Rachel you’re here and ask her if you could spend the night with us- you’d like that, wouldn't you’” (Lee 188) Atticus knows that Jem and Scout like Dill, so he lets him stay with them. This also portrays that Atticus doesn’t want any harm to come to Dill, or for him to be scared, so he lets him stay with them; proving that he is a great father. To sum up, Atticus respects his children, and wants them to be happy.
Scout is upset at her teacher and doesn't want to go to school anymore. Atticus explains to her that she has to look at it from her new teacher’s perspective. Atticus said “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Lee 39). Atticus then explain the Ewells family to Scout and talks about how some things may seem unfair but are for the best. He then shows his love for Scout by making a compromise with her, that if she goes to school then she can still read with him (41). Scout then prepared to give a slobbery handshake to Atticus, which he decided was unnecessary (Lee 42). This shows that Atticus is a serious father, but can also kick back and be a fun dad too. In this scene we see all aspects of Atticus, from his lawyer reasoning to his laid back parenting. Its simple to see after reading this part of the book that Atticus is an extraordinary person and
We learn how important it is to Atticus for his children to be educated. We see how he teaches them to read and write at an early age. “As it is in a black man’s account of slavery, reading and writing are major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird. Reading is first introduced with Dill’s announcement that he can read, and Jem’s counter boast that his sister, Scout, has been reading for years” (Telgen 301). Atticus reads to the children from newspapers and magazines as if they are adults who can understand issues at his level. By the time Scout attends her first day of school, she is highly literate, far surpassing the other children in the classroom and frustrating her teacher whose task it is to teach her students according to a predetermined plan. It soon becomes clear why Atticus thinks education is so important. During his closing arguments, Atticus explicitly acknowledges the ignorance blinding people's minds and hearts:
Would you go against normalities to raise your children the right way? Or would you risk your pride, and even your life, to stand up for what is right? These role model skills are vested in no other than Atticus from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. In this novel, Harper Lee demonstrates the reasons that Atticus Finch is a good role model, resulting in the advancement of human rights not only for his children, but for all of Maycomb. One of the most apparent ways that Atticus represents a good role model is by being a good father to Jem and Scout. In chapter 9, Atticus teaches Scout the virtue of staying out of trouble when he says, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat” (Lee 101). Atticus teaches Scout how to behave appropriately, even after his own
After Miss Caroline tries to dismiss Burris Ewell to go wash up, he announces that she is not the reason he is leaving. “Been comin’ to school the first day o’ the first grade for three years now”(Lee,27).bob letting Burris skip school shows that he does not value his children’s education. Bob not worrying about Burris’ attendance shows he is also not worried about his future. Bob gets by on money he does not deserve and figures Burris will be able to do the same thing. On the other hand, Atticus is a very supportive father to scout and teaches her from a young age to have morals that revolve around education. When scout complains to Atticus about not wanting to go to school and says that she should not have to if Burris does not, Atticus explains to her she is not above the law. “Sometimes it’s better to bend the law… but in your case, the law remains rigid. So to school you must go” (Lee, 30). Atticus telling scout she has to go to school shows that he cares for her and wants her to be well educated. Unlike bob, Atticus wants scout to get an education and be able to get a job on her own. Atticus wants scout to gain responsibility and learn to do things she doesn’t necessarily like whereas bob does not force his children to go to school or give them any responsibilities. The character
Some may question the parenting style of others and that is just how humans work. They doubt the way others do things because it is not how they themselves would do it. Atticus Finch is a good father because he taught his children bravery through his self-control, he is determined to teach Jem and Scout the value of respecting people, no matter who they are, and he teaches his children that life involves making difficult decisions sometimes. Atticus is one of those people that everybody should look up to and want to be more like him because despite all the racism that happened and disrespect he got, he stood with his head held high and made sure his children did too.
Atticus is always guiding Jem and Scout with advice so that they will become more compassionate people. Atticus sets a good example for the children when Mr Ewell confronts him. Even though he is provoked and insulted, Atticus simply has a “peaceful reaction”. This shows the children never to get into fights with people when they are upset about something. Atticus shows children about courage and all the forms it appears in. When Jem is told to read for Ms Dubose and she dies, Atticus explains to Jem about her morphine addiction, and how she died “free”. This shows Jem that courage isn’t always where you expect to find it, and that if you have some compassion, you see people for who they really are. The most important piece of advice he gives his children is 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 important for the children to know, because it helps them to be more caring people, and they use this advice throughout the novel.