More handpicked essays just for you.
Portrayal of women in american literature
How are women portrayed in american literature
Atticus parenting style
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Portrayal of women in american literature
There are many differences in how Atticus and Calpurnia treat the kids. Atticus parenting leans towards treating the kids more like adults and being honest, unlike Calpurnia, who encourages the kids to understand and be mindful of others. They both are great influences on Scouts and Jems life. The way Atticus treats Jem and Scout is unique; he treats his children like adults. He answers their questions honestly, and he has a stern but fair attitude towards Jem and Scout. He believes in the justice system and doesn’t like criminal law. As stated by Atticus “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”(55-56) He also realizes that Jem and Scout are children and will make silly mistakes. Calpurnia is wise, smart and loyal to the finch family. Some weaknesses she has is that she can be bossy at times and acts differently in different settings. She’s a mother figure to Jem and Scout and has a lot of respect for them. She encourages the kids to understand and be mindful of others failing and circumstances. She shows Scout a great deal about femininity and scout absorbs the lessons easily because Calpurnia doesn’t force standards onto her as stated by Scout “She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen and by watching her I began to think there …show more content…
Calpurnia is wise and tries to be as much a mother as possible. (She made me soap all over twice, drew fresh water in the tub for each rinse; she stuck my head in the basin and washed It. 134) Atticus tries to be gentle but stern with the kids,( If you can learn a simple trick, 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 their skin and walk around in it. 33) which are why he treats them like adults. The kids are both very different as well. Scout is more of a questioner while Jem is more
...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.
Atticus was by that definition a very good father. Whenever Scout was mislead by anything, like the legend of Boo Radley or about how grown ups are, or why certain people feel prejudiced about certain people, Atticus was always right there to guide her. Atticus was also a good father because he knew right from wrong. He was different then most of the men in that town, as hard to find as a needle in a haystack. He saw people as people, not black or white. He defended Tom Robinson without caring that everyone in Maycomb was a calling him a “nigger lover'; and many other racial slurs. All Atticus did was shrug them off. When Bob Ewell spit in Atticus’s face, Atticus still did not retaliate. Instead, he wiped the spit off of his face and kept walking minding his own business. This showed Scout and Jem that there was no reason to worry themselves with other peoples opinion’s. When Mrs. Dubose called Atticus a nigger lover to Jem, Jem got angry and went home and asked Atticus if he really was a nigger lover. Atticus said straight out with no thought, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everyone…I’m hard to put, sometimes-baby, its never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is , it doesn’t hurt you. So don’t let Mrs. Dubose get you down.'; This qoatation shows exactly how Atticus in influencing Scout and Jem to be good people. He gave his, what may be called lessons on life, so fluently that it seemed less like a lecture then it really was. He tried his best to teach his children that some people can only feel good about themselves when they attempt to make someone else feel bad.
Describe the importance of Calpurnia in the lives of the Finch family. and the novel as a whole. Calpurnia is more than just a family cook to the Finch’s. She also acts as the mother to Jem and Scout by helping to bring them up. teaching them right from wrong, disciplining them and comforting them.
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
We also see him trying to teach them other things in the story besides the court case. One example is when they had the dangerous dog incident and Atticus had to decide whether to kill the dog or keep the dog alive and then put them in more danger. Atticus decides to kill the dog which is not what the kids want but it is the best thing for them. During the scene Atticus tells Jem, “Don’t go near that dog, you understand? Don’t go near him, he’s just as dangerous dead as alive(111).” This shows that Atticus truly cares about Jem and Scout and wants what is best for them. If he didn’t want what is best for his own kids, then why would Atticus go through all the hard work to help Tom Robinson when it’s making Atticus look bad. This scene shows that he is a very good and fair person all around and wants to always do what’s right in any
Atticus Finch as a parent teaches Scout and Jem moral values and tries his hardest to pass on to his children his way of thinking. Atticus worries that his children sees to much racism and injustice, and tries to show his children that all people are equal no matter the color of their skin. He teaches them to go against the norm in Maycomb which is prejudice and unjust in their actions.
Atticus considers himself and his children as equals. For example, Scout asks Atticus why he defends a Negro: “... If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to mind me again” (100). Atticus is portraying to Scout that if he did not act righteously by defending Tom Robinson he would be ashamed of himself, and he could not hold authority to his children. Atticus treats his children as if they were his peers, which illustrates how he values equality. Furthermore, Atticus wants to provide an egalitarian lifestyle for his children. For instance, Atticus explains to Mr. Tate why he does not want to cover up the truth for Jem if he had killed Mr. Ewell: “... Sometimes I think I'm a total failure as 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 I can look squarely back at him… if I connived at something like this, frankly I couldn’t meet his eye, and they day I can't do that I'll know I've lost him. I don't want to lose him and Scout, because they're all I've got” (366). Atticus knows since Scout and Jem had to grow up without a mother, his children look up to him immensely. Atticus wants to live an honest life so his children can look at him with pride, and to do that he treats his children as his equals. In brief, Atticus is not only egalitarian by not having racial prejudice but also by his parenting
Scout tried to explain this to her teacher, Miss Caroline, but got in trouble. Scout was so angry she rubbed Walter’s nose in dirt. Jem invited Walter over for dinner and Scout made a remark that made Calpurnia furious. She told Scout, “That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat the table cloth you let him, you hear?” (32). Scout went on to say how just because he is a Cunningham he was not company. Calpurnia became even more furious and raised her voice and said, “Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em” (33). This lesson was important because Scout learned just because you might be better than someone or have more does not mean you should act like it. Calpurnia gives the talks and is there for both children just like a real mother would be. Miss Maudie is another Maycomb citizen who is an important role model for Jem and
Unlike Santiago, the children who saw Atticus as a role model were his own children, Jem and Scout. Atticus seemed slightly old to have two such young children, however, the two did not mind. Instead of focusing on his age, the children focused on his wisdom and other notable attributes. Teaching them everything he could about life and the way to behave in specific instances, the children noticed the profound knowledge of their father, even if they sometimes lacked understanding. In every aspect of life, Jem and Scout perceived Atticus as not only a loving father but an exemplary role model; especially in the case of Tom Robinson. When the weight of this case fell upon Atticus, Jem and Scout meticulously monitored his actions regarding the matter and believed, though they knew not all the details, that Atticus would win. During the case Atticus presented many
Atticus is a great leader of his family, teaching his children morals and life lessons. He makes them better people by showing them how to deal with the trial and people making fun of them. Atticus teaches Scout how to respect other people. First, Scout learns to respect Atticus, then to respect "Boo" Radley, and finally to respect a whole race of people, negroes. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and thus displays the attributes of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that true courage is standing up for what you believe in and that all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This quote shows that Atticus wants his children to get along with people, and so other people will respect them for whom they are.
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
Atticus makes them apologize if they have done something wrong. For example, when Jem ruins Ms. Dubose’s garden. “‘I strongly advise you to to go down and have a talk with Mrs.Dubose,’”(138). As a consequence Atticus makes them read to Ms. Dubose. “Atticus,” he said, “she wants me to read to her.” “Read to her?” “Yes sir. She wants me to come every afternoon after school and Saturdays and read to her out loud for two hours. Atticus, do I have to?” “Certainly.” “But she wants me to do it for a month.” “Then you’ll do it for a month.” (140) This quote shows how Atticus isn’t lenient, he makes sure his kids learn that what they have done was wrong. Atticus make sure Jem and Scout respect their elders. He makes sure they say “ma’am” and “sir” when they are talking to someone. For example “Please don’t send me back, please sir,”(39) “Yes ma’am, blanket. It isn’t ours.”(95) In the story Atticus puts a stop to certain stuff and Jem and Scout always need his permission. “‘Jem, Scout,’ said Atticus, ‘I don’t want to hear of poker in any form again. Go by Dill’s and get your pants, Jem. Settle it yourselves.’” (73). Atticus is strict towards his kids because he cares about them and he wants to keep them safe. Atticus is strict by giving his kids consequences, having his kids apologize to others and by putting a stop
The most important job Calpurnia does for the Finchs’ is teaching Jem and Scout to treat people with respect no matter who they are or what they have done. Calpurnia displays discipline to the children in a loving way. The relationship Calpurnia and Scout have in the beginning of the novel, grows stronger overtime. She is a very important member of the family. “…I couldn’t have got along without her over these years. She’s a faithful member of this family…”. Even though Scout and Jem’s mother passed away, Calpurnia has had a great effect on the
I think Calpurnia is the better mother figure. One of the reasons I think Calpurnia is a better mother figure than Aunt Alexandra is because she took them to church. Her bringing them to church shows how she feels responsible for Jem and Scout. She treats the kids as they are her own. A second reason that Calpurnia is a better mother figure is because the kids trust her. At church scout had many questions about the new church but he decided that he would wait to ask Calpurnia later. The final reason that is that Calpurnia is the superior mother figure is because the whole family trusts her. Atticus had to leave town for two weeks and he trusted Calpurnia to watch them. Also, Atticus’ dad gave Calpurnia the bible, which goes a long way in their
Calpurnia, the family’s cook, serves as the dominant female figure to the children, but her role would not be as important if the mother had been in the novel. The protagonist of the story, Atticus’s daughter Scout, “…had felt her... presence as long as [she] could remember” (Lee 7). Cal has been with the family for many years and is the main feminine influence in their life. If she is not tending to the housekeeping, Calpurnia is giving the children advice, keeping them in line, or taking them to church. Consequently, if the mother was in the story, Cal’s character would simply be a cook with nothing more to her. She might not have even been in To Kill a Mockingbird, similar to Aunt Alexandra.