Atticus Influence In To Kill A Mockingbird

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A Father’s Influence in To Kill a Mockingbird Throughout Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the lessons Scout learns throughout her interactions with Atticus influence the development of her morality. As the primary authority figure within Scout’s life, Atticus’s opinions are a critical point of reference to her as she establishes her own perspective. From the knowledge she gathers from Atticus’s insights, Scout develops an empathetic disposition, an educated outlook on race, and the ability to ignore the close-minded influence of her Aunt in favor of her beliefs. Because of the bond between Atticus and Scout, Scout applies Atticus’s principles to her life, stimulating her understanding of empathy. As Scout’s morality develops, she …show more content…

Within Maycomb, the general perception of African Americans is clouded by racism and misinformation; but through the application of what she learns from Atticus’ wisdom, Scout is able to augment her morals regarding prejudice. In his closing words of the trial, Atticus explains “‘the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men’” (Lee 273). Unlike Atticus, the people of Maycomb are eager to judge Tom Robinson’s testimony and refuse to see the other side regardless of the lack of evidence against him. As the daughter of a lawyer, Scout has a broad understanding of the legal system and is able to recognize how prejudiced the jury, and Mr. Gilmer are behaving. Scout’s narration, even from her young age, implies that she recognizes the compassion Atticus has for other people, compared to the citizens of Maycomb. The empathy Atticus has for other people is apparent to Scout, and being the primary influence in her life, Atticus’s compassion diffuses on Scout’s actions and personality as she develops. Ms. Gates, Scout’s teacher, talks about the horrors of the discrimination against Jews in Germany. However, after Tom Robinson is found guilty, Scout "heard [Ms. Gates] says it's time …show more content…

Scut does not agree with Aunt Alexandra’s rigid morals, and as Aunt Alexandra tries to influence her, Atticus’s wisdom gives Scout the reassurance she needs to ignore her and act upon her own beliefs. In order to provide a woman’s influence in Scout’s life, Aunt Alexandra moves into the Finch household and proceeds to criticize Scout. In denial of Aunt Alexandra's beliefs, Scout retorts“I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion, obliquely expressed, that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was” (Lee 173). The influence Atticus’s empathetic values have on Scout render her unable to understand Alexandra’s prejudicial views. Alexandra Finch defines people solely by their lineage, skin color, and who they are associated with. However, as one of the sole authority figures in Scout’s life, Atticus has an immense influence on Scout’s values as she grows up. As a result, Scout’s perceptions mirror Atticus’s principles, which are based on the personality, and actions of a person more than aspects of life that are out of one’s control. Because of the close relationship that Atticus and Scout share, along with the differences between their values, Scout is unable to

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