The Evolution of Respect
In To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch, the father of Scout and Jem, displays respect even with the hierarchy of a parent. The way they project respect to Atticus is not what most people would expect, but it is still there, as opposed to the way they speak to and act towards other adults such as their teacher. People should display respect, even when it is not how they truly feel. Society as a whole has formed a particular view of respect, “Yes Ma’am, yes Sir” and never call someone of authority by their first name ( Lee 1 ). However, this idea is challenged when Scout and Jem refer to their father as Atticus, his first name. Initially it may seem as though the children do not respect him as an authority and father figure, but taking a closer look readers realize that it is not that they do not respect him, but that they are in fact speaking to him as an equal because he has higher expectations of them than society ( Lee 2
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In this case, Neither Jem nor Scout feels any form of respect towards their teacher, Miss Caroline ( Lee 23 ). This is due to the fact that she does not believe they are worthy of her respect. Knowing that they were born and raised in the country, Miss Caroline assumes that they are simple minded and incapable of being equally as intelligent as she is ( Lee 11 ). This is evident to Jem and Scout because of the subtle attitude and body language that is provided with the lack of respect. She also shows disrespect towards Atticus by undermining his ability to teach his own children, saying, “Now you tell your father not to teach you anymore.” “You tell him I’ll take over from here and try to undo the damage” (Lee 23). Although they do not respect her they still use the cliche sayings associated with respect, Yes/No Ma’am, Thank you ( Lee 12
Throughout Scout and Jem’s childhoods, their father Atticus was always there for them. Atticus always made sure he made time to talk to his children and teach them valuable life skills. Atticus taught both his children to read before they began schooling. Although he was ridiculed for it by Scout’s teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher, who told Scout “Your father does not know how to teach (page 28)”, by teaching Scout to read he gave her
A person does not really understand someone until he or she walks in his or her shoes. Scout learns through encounters with several people. The first person’s shoes that Scout steps in is Miss Caroline’s. When Scout first meet Miss Caroline, she thought of her new teacher as terse and not understanding. The first event that made Scout think this is when Miss Caroline prohibited her to read with her father any longer. Miss Caroline talk her to tell Atticus to stop teaching her to read because she wants Scout to learn to read in school with a fresh mind. Another time that fueled Scouts perception of Miss Caroline is when she tried to explain to Miss Caroline why Walter Cunningham would not take the money to buy lunch. Miss Caroline was getting
Lee implies that people learn lessons through life experiences that school can ever teach. Throughout this novel, Atticus taught his kids many lessons that was hard for them to hear at times, but it later on helped them in the story. Or it helped them grow up and mature. On page 40 of To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus was explaining to Scout that Miss.Caroline was new and didn’t know anyone, and she especially didn’t know the Cunningham’s story, Atticus states, “Atticus said… but if Walter and I had put ourselves in her shoes we’d have seen it was an honest mistake on her part” (40). This quote by Atticus is meant to explain to Scout that Miss. Caroline just made an honest human mistake. He tried to get Scout to realize that if he put herself in Miss.Caroline’s shoes then she might better understand the confusion. Obviously you can’t really be in her shoes, but he said it figuratively to show her why it was important to give her another chance, or at least try to be nice and listen. Atticus taught this to Scout at home later on that night. At her school after that she tried to just get by in her class. Lee also shows mainly throughout that the school system doesn’t help when it comes to teaching children life lessons. As shown in the earlier quote Atticus, had told Scout to jump in Walter’s shoes, and walk around in it. This other quote shows how Scout actually takes into consideration of Atticus’ words, and chooses to not bother Jem because she tried to imagine what it had
Codes of honor have always held a significant amount of importance to man. Ranging from the Japanese Samurai Bushido code to joining Uncle Sam in protecting America during WWII, honor has been viewed as an admirable characteristic. While the exact meaning has fluctuated over time, almost every era has tied honor to integrity, or being true to a set of values over personal gain, even in solitary. In many situations, a person struggles between what he wants to do and what needs to be done. As Harper Lee exhibits in her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is exposed to numerous incidents where he has to determine to act honorably or maintain respect among his neighbors. Displaying honor is a struggle all characters face, specifically concerning racism and social structures. Atticus is saint-like in his code of honor
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout’s father, Atticus demonstrates his self-control and empathy towards Scout and her problems which makes him a positive role model in his daughter’s life and maturation growth. After school, Scout exclaims to Atticus that she does not want to attend school anymore due to the fact she had a dreadful first day of the first grade. She complains to Atticus about her teacher, Miss.Caroline and how she disapproves of Scout’s competency of reading and writing. Miss.Caroline expresses to Scout that she should not be literate at her age and now has to undo the damage that has been done by her father; this statement is ironic because teachers are supposed to encourage learning and help further advance their
Atticus Finch treats everyone with respect, and this makes him a great role model. This is very evident when Atticus is questioning Mayella during the trial, and she thinks that Atticus is mocking her because he calls her “Miss Mayella” and “Ma’am”. Judge Taylor intervenes to tell how that is just the way Atticus does his job, and that, “Mr. Finch is always courteous to everybody”
Atticus teaches scout and Jem self respect by setting examples for them. When Atticus decides to take the Tom Robinson case he teaches his kids self respect. After asked why he took the case he said that Atticus has been asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is a case he cannot hope to win, but he tells Scout that he must argue it to uphold his sense of justice and self-respect. He also shows scout and jem self respect by not showing off his God given gift. He taught Jem and Scout to have thick skin. He made sure to have them not allow someone to get under their skin. An example of a moment where Jem or Scout have to have a lot of patience for someone is when was throwing around the N word, tho she retaliated she didn't pay it that much attention. Another example is again when Atticus took the Tom Robinson case.
Atticus Finch is a bad parent due to his ignorant nature. First and foremost, Atticus is ignorant because he doesn’t teach his children how to respect authority. Atticus is telling Jem and Scout that they need to behave more like the Finches. He tells them, that they need to be ladies and gentlemen. Scout asks, “Atticus, is all this behavin’ an’ stuff gonna make things different?” It is disrespectful for children to call adults by their first names. Scout and Jem calling Atticus by his first name creates a mindset that they can address adults in an informal manner, which most would view as disrespectful. This shows that Atticus is ignorant, because his children have not been taught to respect their elders. In addition, Atticus is ignorant because he is inconsiderate of others.
However, the kids are not quick to accepting people most of the time. Without Atticus being there to guide them along the path of righteousness, Jem and Scout would be just like any other kid in Maycomb. When the kids are confused as to why Atticus was trying to do the ethical thing and defend Tom, Miss Maudie has to explain to them that he was making "baby steps in the right direction" (183). When Jem is still absent minded about the ordeal, Miss Maudie says, "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them.' 'Oh,' said Jem. 'Well.' 'Don't you oh well me, sir,' Miss Maudie replied, recognizing Jem's fatalistic noises, 'you are not old enough to appreciate what I said'" (183). The kids are impetuous to judge people, like Boo Radley, and Atticus has to stand up for him against the children. Even if Scout and Jem do a good deed of exemplifying equality, they are following by Atticus' admirable example since he is their father and they live under his influence.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper lee presents the idea that Respect is seen when one has great manners towards someone’s race, social class, or age. Social justice requires respect because No one would get along and the world would fall apart resulting in no rights, fights, and wars. The character Atticus Finch demonstrates respect by not showing that race or someone's social class is a factor in his judgment. He even shows being just by not letting scouts age get in the way of telling her the truth about everything.
At the beginning of this novel, Scout is very curious about school. She asks Atticus and Jem questions about things said at school for more clarification. When Scouts hand is hit with a ruler by her teacher Miss Caroline, Scout tells Jem about it and asks him why Miss Caroline would do that. Jem says “Our teacher says Miss Caroline’s introducing a new way of teaching.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is represented as the stereotypical, all well-knowing fatherly figure to Jem and Scout, and more than oftenly teaches them moral lessons and how to behave as they are transitioning into young adulthood. Three values that Atticus Finch heavily instills within his children is to live humbly, swear by equality, and have respect for everyone no matter what color your skin is or what you believe in. These values shape and mold each Jem and Scout into independently minded children who learn wrong from right as the book’s plotline continues.
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus, the father of Scout and Jem, trains his children to be polite, and courteous to everyone, especially those who scoff at him for defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape. For example, after Mrs. Dubose insults him when Scout and Jem are walking by, Atticus says “Easy does it son, she's an old lady and she’s ill.” (Lee 133). This shows that he holds his children to the same standard he holds himself to: they must be polite and courteous to anyone they meet, and no matter what others others say, must must maintain self control and be responsible. This also shows that he respects that Mrs. Dubose tries her hardest to get off her drugs, and doesn't want his kids making
To kill a Mockingbird seems to teach the reader important life skills over the two years we get to know the little town of Maycomb. Scout and Jem learn how to give respect to their elders, learn how important honesty is, and knowing that every action has a consequence. “As the Cunninghams had no money to pay a lawyer, they simply paid us with what they had”(21). In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the lesson of respect is taught in the way of their last names. The Cunninghams are poor, however they will repay people with other actions, such as giving Aticus a bag of nuts.
The relationships established by Atticus Finch with his children, the Ewells, and the rest of the town, including the black community, are a large reason why he is known as the moral center, and why it seems all immoral conflict revolves around him. The reader sees it play out in the plainest terms with his children. He is their father, and they respect him as such, but their respect for him surpasses their paternal relationship with him, demonstrated by how they refer to him as Atticus instead of “Father”. We see him teach Scout how to read, and the amount of time he spends with his children, even though the majority of the novel takes place during an important court case in his career. Along the way, he teaches them lessons, like how it’s