Atticus Finch Character Analysis

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.

Atticus Finch’s teaching shows that he is a good father to Jem and Scout because he explains things that the children don’t understand. For example, when Atticus and Scout agree that they will go on reading every night, Atticus says, “I’m afraid our activities would be received with considerable disapprobation by the more learned authorities.” Scout says, “Huh,

Atticus is a wise father and helps his children accept people no matter how they look or act. This is evident when he says “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” (Lee 33). Throughout the novel, Jem and Scout mature at different paces. Atticus guides his children as they begin to grow and mature. “It ain’t right, Atticus,” said Jem.” “No son, It’s not right.” (Lee 243). When Atticus lost the case, Jem expressed how he felt. He had tears on his face. Here was a turning point for Jem because he was old enough to understand the case. Atticus comforted him and agreed it was not right. Atticus shows affection towards his children when they saved him from trouble with “the mob”. “As they passed under a streetlight, Atticus reached out and massaged Jem’s hair, his one gesture of affection.” (Lee 176). At first, Atticus may have been frustrated with his children being at the office. Then, their innocence saved him. Atticus has many characteristics and is a loving father. Atticus displays a valuable lesson about equality and fairness for his children.

To begin, Atticus is a great parent because he is not a hypocrite. Atticus adopts the beliefs, morals and values he teaches his children to his own life. Atticus taught Jem and made him witness how hard it is for their morphine-addicted neighbour, Mrs. Dubose, to fight through pain so that she can die unaddicted to meet her desire of dying beholden to nothing and no one. Mrs. Dubose is viewed as a brave woman by Atticus because she chooses not to die defeated (which is the easier way) but rather, to fight against something that is more powerful. Whereas, a man with a gun usually adopts his power from his gun to frighten others which makes people mistakenly think that he is brave when he is only choosing the easier way of looking powerful. This is why at one point in the story, Atticus teaches his son what real courage is when he says:

“Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement, and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent” -Bob Keeshan. Being a role model for your children is not just about telling your children what is wrong or right but parents also have lead by example to be the best possible role model. Atticus from To Kill A Mockingbird proves that he is a worthy role model for Scout. The qualities that Atticus displays that he is a role model is that he is generous and he is courageous.

Shaping our Future The ways parents choose to teach their kids can have a huge influence on who they turn out to be. Atticus Finch, a loving, and thoughtful father, is a prime example of how a parenting style can affect the outcome of your kid in a positive way in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch, is a product of a home where her father, Atticus Finch, treats everyone respectfully and explains situation fully so everyone understand.

Atticus is a great parent for his time mainly due to his belief in pacifism and has cunning intelligence while cleanly demonstrating that to his children's and setting an example of a civilized person despite the Finch’s background.of favoring heated arguments and fights.

Atticus Finch is the perfect example of a father. Atticus tries his best to teach his children, Jem and Scout, the values/morals of life. One of the most important values Atticus teaches Scout is, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view---until you climb into his skin and walk around it,” (Lee 39). This shows that Atticus not only cares about protecting his children, but informing them that a person cannot be judged from the outside, it’s the inside that counts.

Atticus has many other quotes to back up how’s he is a good father in the novel he says a quote that stands out the most to me, “ you never understand a person Scout until you walk in their shoes” this really showed that Atticus is a person that knows how the world works, but he doesn’t care how it works he cares how it should work he shows his kids there’s no such thing as color, rich, or poor we’re all the same people just different

Atticus is an outstanding father to his kids, a perfect example of a well respected man, and most of all a great leader during his time. These characteristics are expressed in the text, when Atticus reminds his kids “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 30) People now a days assume and judge others without really knowing the insight. Atticus amazing leadership skills leads his kids to understand the real story of Boo Radley. Which open his kids to real idea of life and its meaning, later demystifying stereotypes and judgements. He later goes on to say “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat.”(Lee) These simple teachings open Scout, Atticus daughter, to a different perspective of life. From now on she will learn to live with her head held high and to keep calm in all situations. Although Atticus amazing parental skills add to his leadership skills, he also represents a courageous

He educates his children in the best way possible and so he tries to inculcate in them the values he considers correct such as equality, altruism and moral courage even if they are frowned upon by society they live in. This education is not only transmitted through words, his actions are very important too. Atticus states to his son Jem: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” This is an example of Atticus teaching his children to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. Atticus and his kids are iconic figures for modern society because they do what they have to do at the right time despite the

While many may view a family as a mother and a father raising a few children, Atticus Finch proves that a family doesn’t have to fit the mold to flourish. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus raises his two children, Jem and Scout, after his wife passed away. Just because Atticus isn’t married, doesn't mean he isn’t able to provide for his children physically, emotionally, and mentally. Miss Maudie comments on his parenting by saying, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee 61). Atticus is a good parent for his children because he is able to set an example without remarrying. Scout and Jem learn to be honest, kind, and respectful to everyone from Atticus. Scout, the novel’s narrator, doesn’t feel any sense of emptiness by not having a mother to raise her. The Finch’s may not be a traditional family, but Atticus’s parenting shows that they are able to be successful and happy.

In conclusion, Atticus teaches his children values, lessons and morals by being a role model and setting an example in their lives. He does this by teaching them to stay calm when dealing with any person and himself, by keeping his cool when being harassed by Bob Ewell. He also teaches Jem and Scout to be respectful to anyone and everyone and treat all with equality. Atticus does so by taking Tom Robinson’s case and working as hard as possible toward it. Lastly, he teaches his children to value and put importance on education by going against Miss Caroline’s rule of not reading at home and instead coming to a compromise which allows Scout to still go to school. Throughout the book, Atticus shines through tough times like a ray of hope and becomes

Atticus is a great parent. He does many things that make him a great parent such as, being respectful, giving great advice, and he is very caring. To begin with, Atticus does not expect the respect of his children but earns it, this is shown many times, but the best example is when he tells Scout “We’ll go on reading as we always have.” (pg.41) he is showing he respects Scout because he believes she is smart enough to read and agrees more with Scout than her teacher. Secondly, he gives them great advice, when Scout is upset about her teacher telling her not to read, Atticus tells her that she will get along with people better if she can climb into their skin and walk around in it. He makes her understand what is happening in her life and resolves her issue. Lastly, Atticus is very caring.

Almost all great novels contain strong fatherly figures. From Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings Series, to Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia or the old Giver in The Giver, there seems as if main characters are always guided by people older and wiser than them. In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, a fatherly figure guides the main character through acting as a positive role model. Atticus, a lawyer, lives peacefully in the small town of Maycomb with his son and daughter. Acting as a role model for both of his children, Atticus really stands out amongst others due to his unique characteristics. The main traits that make Atticus such an unique character include his kindness, justness, and considerateness.