Atticus Finch from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is a single father to Jem and Scout and a lawyer in Maycomb. He teaches his children about respect and shows it in everything he does. He not only teaches them respect, but also morality and life lessons. He’s upfront with them about how life is and the troubles in it. Because of these three reasons and many more that I haven’t mentioned, Atticus Finch is a good father.
Atticus is a good father because he sets an example of respect. He teaches his kids to respect others views and beliefs. Not only does he teach them but he also sets an example of respect even when it is hard to respect a person. “Mr. Cunningham’s basically a good man… he just had his blind spots along with the rest of us…
…show more content…
Atticus is a good father because he teaches them about morality and life lessons.
My last but not least reason why I believe Atticus is a good father is because he is upfront with them and tells them how the world truly is. “You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then, are you?” “I certainly am, i do my best to love everybody...it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.” Atticus is giving Scout a lesson about racism which you usually wouldn’t give a child because they are young. But even though she is young, he is letting her know for the future. "Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson's skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” (Lee 232). People talk so bad about Native Americans just because of the color of their skin but they are no different than any other ethnicity. Jem and Scout know a lot about racism and how the world works than what other children their age knows. I believe that is why Atticus is a good father.
Atticus isn’t your typical father but that is what makes him not just an incredible person but an exceptional father to Jem and Scout. He shows the respect that he
What would kids do if they had no role models to look up to and to teach them important life lessons? Atticus is an ideal father because he displays a balance of comfort and support as well as discipline. He maintains a strong bond with both Jem and Scout since he always finds time for them even though he is always very busy with work. Atticus, being an open-minded and honest man, is able to teach his children many important life lessons. He teaches his children to tolerate others, to act courageously, and to judge people on what’s beyond the exterior.
Atticus’ fairness also shows he is a good father because he believes that everyone deserves a chance to be understood and all have reasons for their actions. For example, after revealing the news to Jem and Scout of Tom’s death, he says, “Depends on how you look at it. What was one Negro, more or less, among two hundred of ‘em? He wasn’t Tom to them, he was an escaping prisoner” (Lee 235). This passage shows Atticus's fairness because he always tries to put himself in other people’s shoes in order to give everyone a chance at being understood, as he teaches Jem and Scout to do. He gave up his respectable reputation among many of the whites in Maycomb to defend Tom Robinson, and still speaks highly of the men who killed him. When he says this, he is trying to make the children see that the men who killed Tom did not know him as a person, but as a Negro who committed a crime, so cannot be discriminated upon for doing their job. Along with Atticus’ sense of fairness, his Teaching also characterizes him as a good father to Jem and Scout.
I believe Atticus is a good father because he saved scout from a rabid dog. He is providing a good stable foundation for his children, at least he's trying to. He disciplines them and tries to keep them out of trouble.
Atticus is one of the major characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, and he appears in almost every chapter. Atticus is the father of Jem and Scout and appears in every chapter. While some might think Atticus is not a proper role model, he is a good role model because he treats everybody with respect, he sees other races as equal, and he fights for equality.
As a single father, he faced more problems compared with other normal families. However, because of his faith in Christ, he did not feel tired or frustrated when household affairs came before him. Atticus Finch as an icon for a great father, his parenting style should be admired and followed by all parents. He does not restrict his children from doing or joining any activities, however, he does teach his children to become mature and should put Christ as their examples. Atticus Finch used himself to become an example for his children to follow. According to the Bible, Atticus Finch is a qualified parent in God’s eye. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs
Atticus Finch displayed a notably unusual parenting style throughout the book. Atticus speaks to his children in a completely open manner, not sugarcoating anything, essentially conversing with them as honestly as he would with a fellow adult. Atticus' behavior towards his kids demonstrates the respect he feels towards them. He seems to think that they are mature enough to handle topics most people don't think are suitable for children. Not only is he open and honest with Jem and Scout, he even makes compromises and promises between them and himself, whereas other parents would have a mentality consisting more of "I have the final say in the
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.
One thing that stood out was that Atticus was always encouraging Scout and Jem to become the best person they could be. Scout stated, “ I could not remember when the lines above Atticus’s moving finger separated into moving words, but I had stared at them all the evenings in my memory.” (18) This supports Atticus in the fact that he always was making sure to make time to not only teach his kids to read, but also it encouraged father and son/daughter time with his children which created an incredible bond between the family. Atticus also supported his children through their actions. Specifically, with Scout he always encouraged her to be the lady that she is and not to conform to society. Some examples would be dressing how she wants to dress and not becoming racist no matter what people say to her. With Jem, Atticus is proven to be an outstanding father because on page (272) it stated, “You heard what Scout said, there’s no doubt about it.” Shown in this quote, Atticus as a father is supportive and trusts his sons word over anyone else’s and this proves the bond and relationship between the two is stronger than anyone’s
Atticus Finch is head of the throne over Joe Gargery of Great Expectations and Chlomo Wiesel of Night. I believe that Atticus Finch is an astoundingly well adjusted father for many reasons. First of all, he was a single parent that managed to make time for Jem and Scout, his two children. He is also a courageous, generous, forgiving, and honest man. Atticus Finch is a single parent working an exceptionally hard job to bring in enough income to pay his maid and supply the needs for his children. He is away most of the day at the courthouse defending his clients. Although his job sometimes required long hours, he still made time to read to his daughter at bedtime and pass a ball with his son.Therefore, Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird is the better father over Joe Gargery of Great Expectations and Chlomo Wiesel of Night because of his courageousness, generosity, forgiveness, and honesty.
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.
Mrs. Alexandra, from my understanding, a good parent is one who creates a safe nurturing environment for a child to grow up in, displays characteristics of a positive role model, and is an active part of a child’s life. (Atticus, look at Scout and Jem affectionately ) Good parents provide moral guidance, sets limitations, and implements consequences for a child’s behavior. (Atticus, use a ruler and slap it in your hand looking at Scout and Jem symbolizing a Spanking as punishment) Atticus is a very effective parent to Scout and Jem. I know he is constantly working; but rest assured, his children are his primary concern and he loves them very much. (Atticus, hug Scout and Jem or do something showing your love <3) Atticus finds time for his
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.
“To Kill a Mockingbird”, an acclaimed novel by Harper Lee, is recognized throughout the world. The novel follows a lawyer and his children prior to and during a legal case to defend a black male. That lawyers name is Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is not just an ordinary father. He teaches his children things no parent of the 1930s, or even the modern time period, would think of doing. His style parenting, compared to modern day parenting and parenting in the 1930s, is unique and is not traditionally the way a parent wants to raise their child.
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.
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.