Atticus' Lessons

The unforgettable, Anne Frank, wrote long ago, “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands” (Goodreads). In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the novel revolves around three children named, Scout, Jem, and Dill. It follows them through their years of growing up and coming to understand the importance of lessons, Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father, advises them. Furthermore, Lee shows often the best lessons are learned outside the classroom.

To begin with, Jem and Scout determine that courage means doing what is right, even if it involves life threatening risks. In chapter eleven, Jem Finch, has ruined the patches of Mrs. Dubose’s lovely camellias. As soon as Atticus has heard of Jem’s little act of rebellion, he gives Mrs. Dubose the opportunity of deciding Jem’s punishment. Specifically, she establishes that Jem shall read to her every day after school. After Jem has finished his retribution, Atticus informs him of Mrs. Dubose’s death. As a result, Atticus speaks of Mrs. Dubose’s bravery. Jem starts to ask his father why he thinks this of Mrs. Dubose. Atticus replies, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (Lee 112). Accordingly, Atticus is trying to show that heroism comes from the people who do what their gut says is right, because that is courage. Mrs. Dubose wanted to die a pure woman instead of someone who had an addiction, which she successfully succeeded in. Another example of courage comes from when Atticus ta...

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... him like a dog. It gives them no rights and that’s what Dill is trying to explain to Scout. Lastly, Dill and Scout had to go through an experience to start using empathy; otherwise they could not put themselves into another’s shoes.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee reveals to one that the most important lessons are not learned in school, but outside of school. The courage Jem and Scout learn help them to view ideas differently and pursue their dreams. The empathy Scout and Dill learn help them treat others the same way they want to be treated. Atticus has taught these lessons to the children, hoping that they can see these lessons out of his eyes too, not just their own. Hillary Clinton once announced, “When I was growing up, my parents always told me that I had to do what I thought was right and not listen to other people. That was hard for me” (BrainyQuote).