To really understand someone's point of view, you have to walk in their shoes. People cast blame without knowing the whole truth. Sometimes the truth is that the person blamed is as innocent as a Mockingbird. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch was used to teaching us good behaviors such as being a committed and loving father, treating everyone fairly and equally, and standing behind his beliefs. Atticus Finch was shown as a loving and devoted father in many ways. One way is, that he always has the answers to the questions his kids ask no matter what they are. For example, Atticus says, “‘Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake’” (Lee 99) when he is talking to Uncle Jack. This shows that …show more content…
Also, Atticus believes that blacks should get the same respect as all white people and treats one peculiar black as a family member. Atticus tells Aunt Alexandra, “‘Anything fit to say at the table is fit to say in front of Calpurnia. She knows what she means to this family”’ (Lee 178). This shows Atticus is treating Cal as a family member, and anything meant to be said at the table can be said to a black person. Atticus Finch shows many ways of treating people equally, above it shows Atticus treating a bully and a black equally. Atticus Finch is not only a man who treats everyone right, but stands by his beliefs and wants his children to follow his beliefs as well. Sometimes to do the right thing you have to stand in their shoes, and walk around. Atticus Finch uses that quote throughout the book, here is one example, “‘ 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 33). This is referring to walking in their shoes and see their point of view before you judge someone. Atticus is given the case of Tom Robinson, some say on purpose, but even though he knows it will harm his family, he is still going to stand by his beliefs and fight for Tom Robinson. Atticus says, “‘ But do you think I could face my children otherwise? You know what’s going to happen as well as I do… I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without
Atticus is an honorable man, kind and chivalrous to everyone he encounters. He is even polite to the people who call him a “nigger lover” and who spit at him. Mrs. Dubose calls Atticus a “nigger lover” and terrorizes his children, but he is still respectful to her. He even calls her a model and compliments her rose bushes. On a walk home from work Atticus says, “Good evening Mrs. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening”(115). Bob Ewell spat at Atticus on the post office corner, but Atticus does not retaliate. He keeps his head high and treats Ewell as an equal. Ewell threatens Atticus and his children, but Atticus is respectful to Bob Ewell. At a time where many people are prejudice against blacks, Atticus is caring to Calpurnia. He treats her as a member of the household, instead of an inferior.
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents Atticus Finch as a principled lawyer, committed but single father to Scout and Jem, and a law-abiding citizen. Atticus is a respectable gentleman in society and a role model for his children. Throughout the book we see evidence of his honorable intentions, though he doesn’t seem to reap the rewards. He is morally upstanding, even-keeled, and daring. Because of these things, Atticus is a man who deserves great respect and admiration.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird depicts Atticus Finch as a good father to his children due to his sense of fairness, his teaching, and his honesty. Atticus depicts fairness by treating his children and all others with respect and understanding. He teaches his children important life lessons and prepares them for when they go out into the world, and he sets a good example by always being honest. To be a good father, these are three very important qualities to possess.
Atticus Finch demonstrates his words of, "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," throughout the novel. For example, Mrs. Dubose always speaks poorly of Atticus and all the decisions Atticus decides to make. However, Atticus is always looking for ways to excuse her poor behavior and even goes as far as making Jem read to her and complimenting her every time he sees her. This does not stop Mrs. Dubose from deteriorating Atticus's reputation and character until her death. Atticus also uses the Golden Rule when he decides to help the case of Tom Robinson, an American African accused of rape. Atticus treats Tom Robinson how he would want to be treated. Atticus knows he is going to lose th case due to the extensive amounts of racism in the county. However, this does not stop him from trying his best for Tom Robinson, as he would want others to do for him if he was
In Part 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces Atticus Finch as a father who rejects ideas or practices of racism. At school, Scout hears Cecil Jacob shout that her father, Atticus, is defending ‘niggers’. Later that day, when Scout asks her father what Cecil meant, Atticus explains that he is defending a Negro named Tom Robinson. Scout was stunned by his unexpected response. When Scout asks why, Atticus responds, “I’m simply defending a Negro… for a number of reasons. The main one is if I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (86) By accepting Tom Robinson’s case without a single argument, Atticus really shows his civility towards Negroes, even when they are not respected by anyone else in the state. Atticus seeks to treat Tom as an individual while rejecting racism in all forms, both language, and behavior. Not only does this show his belief in racial equality, but it also shows his courage.
It is difficult to define what makes a good father, but Atticus’s unconditional love for his children is admirable. In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is portrayed as a good father with many good qualities. However, like any human, he is not perfect. He does has some flaws. Atticus was portrayed as an amazing father, however, he did possess few bad qualities as well.
If you were a parent would you want the best for your kids? Would you want to teach them to search out for the true meaning of dignity and respect? This was the goal of one father, Atticus Finch. Being a nearly fifty-year-old man with extremely young children he wanted to share his wisdom and firsthand experiences with his children to shape them into a respectable young man and woman. Throughout his life, Atticus is taught many experiences himself about not judging someone, and to stand up for the helpless and defenseless. Some important morals that he carried through to teach his children in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is to never judge someone by their social class or race, and to fight for the justice of all the people of Maycomb.
1) Atticus is an empathetic person who tries to make sure people are treated equally, and in the case of his children, that people should grow up and make a positive difference. Atticus shows his empathy by telling Scout to try to understand what Miss Caroline is going through. Harper Lee is trying to show that with empathy, everyone benefits, and there would be less hate and injustice. Atticus says, “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 39). Atticus is telling Scout to look at the world through Miss Caroline’s eyes, to see why Miss Caroline reacts the way that she does. Atticus believes that if Scout can see how scared Miss Caroline is, with teaching a new school in a new way, then Scout can understand what makes Miss Caroline act the way that she does. When Scout asks Atticus why he is angering the town by defending Tom Robinson, he says that he must, or else he would no longer be reputable. Atticus says, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Lee 101) Atticus leads by example, and that if he did not hold himself to the same standard that he wants Scout and Jem to be at, then he is no better than the rest of the town. He knows that he is going to lose, but wants to show his children that it is important to do the right thing no matter the consequences or result, and
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird demonstrates how it is a sin to kill or hurt an innocent being. Yet, throughout the novel, many innocent individuals are being injured either physically or mentally. They key symbols in the story reinforce its main theme: prejudice and ignorance tend to harm innocent beings. These lessons are taught by Atticus to his children and are frequently mentioned throughout the novel. He teaches the children about stereotyping, prejudice and racism. Other residents of Maycomb might think that Atticus is not a good father, for instance, he lets his children go to court the day of Tom Robinson’s trial. However, a brief character analysis of Atticus reveals that through Scout’s internal dialogue, Atticus is, in fact, a good role model and father.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee it discusses Atticus Finch and his two children Jem and Scout Finch. They are taught by there father to not invade people's privacy, and also the importance of tolerance. Mr. Finch lives in Maycomb with his two children. Atticus is a lawyer and he is currently about to do something he is not delighted about doing, nor pleased to do he has to defend a black man Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. In that period of time there was extreme discrimination and Tom was hated by all citizens there. But this doesn't change the way Mr. Finch treats Tom or his attitude about him. He does not care about the skin color you have and he really tries to instill this to Jem and Scout. Atticus seeks to instill moral values in his children, Scout and Jem, through the lessons he teaches them directly and those he teaches by his example.
Atticus on the other hand looks past the skin color and treats them like human beings. An example from the book is how Atticus allows Calpurnia to interact with his family by taking his children to her black church. She asks them "How'd you and Mister Jem like to come to church with me tomorrow" (Lee 156). Atticus doesn't treat Cal as his slave. He considers her a helper around the house. He also does not call her nasty names or beats her for certain things. She is considered family. Atticus is not prejudice against colored people. He is fair and respects everyone, including the
First, Atticus Finch acts with integrity by teaching Jem and Scout to treat others as equals. Atticus believes that all people should be treated equally, no matter their age or race. Atticus tries to teach his kids that doing the moral thing is more important than doing what is popular. Scout says to Atticus “‘You mean if you didn’t defend that man, Jem and me wouldn’t have to
First, Atticus Finch is a genuine, moral literary character because he knows that you must understand a person and know them before you can judge them. "Scout," said Atticus, "when summer comes you'll have to keep your head about far worse things... it's not fair for you and Jem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down—well, all I can say is, when you and Jem are grown, maybe you'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn't let you down." (ch.11 pg.120) Atticus tries to explain to Scout the importance of understanding someone and getting to know the person before she does things. Atticus can take time to know a person, watching their actions, and seeing how they act. He then understands them and their position better than before, which can help him to better comprehend and
In the past century, there have been many great novels written. One of which is Harper Lee's, 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. In the novel it introduces a prominent character who not only was a good father but also a well respected, and compassionate man. This person is Atticus Finch. Through all the struggles and pressures, he stands strong as a very positive father figure, making sure to educate his children with important values including equality, bravery, and knowledge.
He he continually provides care for his children and puts them first often. “I don't want to lose him and Scout, because they're all I've got." (Lee 366) Finally, Atticus is a good father because of his composed nature and his ability to stand by his values in tough times. He shows his composed nature in the courtroom and also when his neighbor's house burned down.