Essay On Atticus Finch A Good Father

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch’s parenting skills were often questioned throughout the novel. Although there were people that didn’t believe he was a good father, I think that he was. There are many different reasons provided throughout the novel that prove he is a good father. Atticus may let his children get away with a little more than the average parent would, but he has a good head on his shoulders. He is open to giving his kids more freedoms and there’s nothing wrong with that. Atticus approaches life with a devotion to fairness and exposes his children, Jem and Scout, to real life. Overall, he makes a pretty good father.

Atticus Finch is a single parent, and faces most of the troubles and challenges a single parent today must deal with. Unlike other parents though, Atticus is more allowing and open to letting his kids, Jem and Scout, do as they please. His personality may contribute a lot to this. Atticus is kind, easygoing, and shows respect for all human beings. He treats everyone with equal respect, as well as his kids. Atticus allows his daughter Scout to be herself. Scout is the youngest out of the siblings, and fits more into the ‘tomboy’ personality. Aunt Alexandra, Atticus’s sister, believes

that Scout should act more like a lady. She is highly opinionated, and strongly dislikes Scout’s choice of clothing, personality, and behaviors. She is very critical of her niece, mostly towards her appearance and the way she dresses. Atticus, on the other hand, gives Scout the freedom to dress how she likes and do as she pleases. Aunt Alexandra does not agree with this. She feels Atticus needs to take more control and encourages his daughter to dress “how she should.” Aunt Alexandra wants to picture her niece in a completely different way. Unfortunately, her wishes for Scout do not fit Scout’s ideal lifestyle.
Atticus wants nothing more for his children than to be happy. He does this by allowing them to make certain decisions for themselves. How Atticus sees it, by letting his kids have more freedoms, the more it will ready them to cope with things once they get older and enter the “real world.” He lets Jem and Scout get away with things, but he means well. He teaches them ways of kindness and patience, and to respect their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose feels the need to make unnecessary comments every time Jem and Scout pass her house. She is old and sick, and often uses nasty remarks to help her “cope” with how she’s feeling. Mrs. Dubose believes that Atticus shouldn’t let Jem and Scout wander out by themselves all the time. She makes it a priority to let them know this. “Where are you two going at this time of day? I wonder if your father knows where you are.” Scout told Mrs. Dubose that it was Saturday, and Atticus has been letting her and Jem go out alone since they were small. But Mrs. Dubose simply replied with, “Makes no difference if it’s Saturday.” Other than this, she always finds something rude and uncalled for to the kids. Jem has had enough. As much as he wants to say something back to put Mrs. Dubose in her place, he doesn’t. Atticus has taught him to be the stronger person, and to not let her words bother him.
Although Aunt Alexandra and Mrs.

Dubose view Atticus as a bad father, I believe he is a good father. He cares about his children a lot, but choose to express it in different easy than other parents may do so. He teaches Jem and Scout good morals throughout the story, and teaches them ways of responsibility that will help them cope in the “real world” someday. Atticus wants his kids to experience things for themselves, and hopes that they will learn many things in their childhood by the time they are grown up. His goal for them is to become strong and independent, and to deal with things in the right way. Atticus’s attitudes and actions impact Jem and Scout in a good way. He is a good father, and only means good for his

children.