Atticus Life Lessons

It is rare to find a courageous and sympathetic person who is willing to stand against social injustice. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus represents this rare hero. He is a lawyer and a single parent to his kids Jem and Scout. He understands that society should not be black and white and helps those who are mistreated. Not only does Atticus demonstrate acts of courage and empathy, he is also an excellent role model to his children. Atticus represents the qualities of a true hero by exposing injustice, and through courageous and sympathetic activities, teaching his children moral values.

Atticus and his children both had to deal with the adversity against them because of the communities differences in opinion. They kept their integrity through it all with Jem and scout having their father’s moral advice and support to help them. Though many succumb to the pressures put on us, there are also many Atticus’s out there that have a moral and ethical conscience backing them up. They become a role model that breeds integrity through their moral practices. “Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” (Lee, pg.108)

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

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.

Throughout the story, it becomes obvious that Atticus is a good teacher to his children Jem and Scout. In the beginning, he tells Scout that “‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view’”(Excerpt 1). This shows that Atticus wants his children to try to understand others better, and he is teaching them important life skills. He also tells Scout that “‘you’ll have to keep your head about far worse things’”(Excerpt 5). Atticus lets Scout know that things can always be worse, and he teaches her that in the future she will need to keep her head and resolve situations in well thought out and

Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout come to understand and admire their father Atticus. He taught them courage through many different lessons. They came in situations that caused them to see him in a better light. Such as when Atticus shoots a rabid dog, Mrs. Dubose dying free of morphine addiction, and perhaps most importantly defending Tom Robinson.

There are some people in this world that can truly understand, or try to understand people and their feelings. They can relate to them on some sort of level. Then there's a lot of people in this world who have no empathy at all. They don’t feel for people or even try to understand. That's exactly why everyone should read To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book is about a little girl named Scout and her older brother Jem going through some changes as they grow older in the racist south where her dad, a lawyer has a case about a black man raping a white woman. Over the course of the book, both characters grow in great measures. Their dad is always teaching them in little ways whats right/wrong, and what’s good/bad. To Kill A Mockingbird

He then holds them responsible for what they do and say. Although his ways are different than the societal standards, Atticus’s involvement with his children is effective for discipline. He does not always discipline them in the same manner, but does so in ways fitting to the circumstances. Atticus chooses particular words to express exactly what his children need to hear in order to mend their ways. Often, he simply expresses his disappointment. Sometimes, he uses firm reprimanding. Once, we see Atticus use his keen intellect, employing what Scout calls “the oldest lawyer’s trick on record” (50) so that Jem admits to “putting [Mr. Radley’s] life’s history on display for the edification of the neighborhood” (49), as Atticus describes it. Scout’s father teaches by example countless times when he reminds her that “it ain’t time to worry yet” (70), even when a fire threatens to sweep away all of their belongings. In addition to his honest discussions with Scout and Jem, Atticus gives them many profound lessons through his intentional interactions with others.

To kill a mockingbird has a wise man named atticus finch That has morals that a lot of people could learn from who is defending tom robinson an african american man who is accused of rape. Threw event that happen with scout she turns to her father for advice the advice he gives has something everyone can use to benefit themselves atticus says that “ You can never understand some one tell you walked in their shoes.” This is great for everyone to learn because it shows empathy for others and to treat people the way you want to be treated. Atticus's

“If you learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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.” This is just one of many examples of Atticus Finch parenting his children. When it comes to parenting, Atticus Finch, a fictional character in the 1960 novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, certainly knows what he’s talking about. His unique, then controversial, approach at raising Scout and Jem is a big part in To Kill A Mockingbird. He teaches them to be themselves and not care about what other people think of them, he teaches them to not judge people unless they really know what they’re going through, or their side of the story.

It is a large burden to bear. Atticus is able to balance being a single father to two kids, defend a black man against a whole population of whites, and protect his reputation in Maycomb. He has raised Scout to be the best person she can be. He gives her advice and tries to teach her how to endure the hardships of life. One example is when he teaches her about empathy. “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). He is referring to her teacher Miss Caroline and Walter Cunningham. This lesson stays with Scout throughout the story, and it helps her to see the truth behind the Tom Robinson case. Another of Atticus’s pearls of wisdom is what inspired the title of the book, To Kill a Mockingbird. “...but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” This advice carries throughout the book and can be applied to Tom Robinson and Boo Radley. Not only does Scout learn many things from Atticus, he is an amazing role model. Scout and her brother try their best to follow in their father's footsteps. Fathers carry the weight of their family’s well-being with them everywhere to go. Lawyers are responsible for the lives of men and women they are defending. Atticus amazes all with his many talents, and works hard to shape his children the best he can. Scout looks to him as a paragon for what she wants to be. He is her role model and helps her to be the best person she can

Atticus Finch teaches his children valuable life lessons which in turn make him a good father. Teaching children lessons about life that they will remember is something that a good father should do and Atticus Finch clearly does this. When Scout is worried about going to school and doesn’t understand why she can’t just skip school like the Ewells, Atticus replies, “‘...if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view (Lee, 39).’” He then explains why the Ewells go to school for only one day. By doing this, he clears Scout’s confusion and teaches her to understand things from other people’s perspective. This is a valuable life skill that Atticus teaches his children, as a good father should. Another skill that Atticus teaches Scout is persist, even when the chances of one winning are very low. In a conversation between Atticus and Scout, Scout is confused about why Atticus is fighting a case that he knows that he will lose: “‘Atticus, are we going to win it?’ ‘No, honey.’ ‘Then why一’ ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to not to try to win (Lee, 101).’” Instead of shrugging off the questions that Scout presents, he answers them honestly. He describes that he is defending in the trial because he doesn’t believe in giving up or being intimidated by the competition and he wants to lead his Scout by example. Alternatively, he tries even harder to win. This is a life lesson that is very valuable and Atticus does a good job of teaching it to Scout, which, in turn, makes him a good

In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is a great father and role model. His kids learn from their mistakes because he doesn’t punish them. He then talks out the problems with them allowing them to understand what they can do to the best time. For example, when Jem killed all of Miss.Dubose’s flowers instead of punishing Jem, Atticus made a deal with Jem that he must go read to her everyday for a month. Jem said “ he had to do it for just a month and month was it.” “He had to do it for one more week and that is it” (144). Jem soon learned from his mistakes and was forgiven for what he had done. Another example, is that Atticus listens to both sides of every story. In the story, Atticus is defending a black man during a trial. When

Lastly, Atticus shows himself as an out-standing role model by teaching his children to be respectful and hold graceful and peaceful composure, even with people who have different beliefs. Atticus proves this when he remains calm even when his patience is being tested. For instance, Bob Ewell makes a terrible scene while spitting on Atticus and calling him names but Atticus reacts in no harsh manner. It can be inferred that Bob Ewell acted this way because he is so enraged by the trial. He needs a way to take out his anger and Atticus took it all in. While Bob Ewell is humiliating and abusing him, “‘Atticus didn’t bat an eye, just took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and stood there and let Mr. Ewell call him names wild horses could not bring her to

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.