Jem And Scout Character Analysis

f. Atticus feels that the adults have made the world the way that it is and the children have to learn to live in that world. They can’t hide from it and need to be exposed to it as early as possible.

Atticus Finch is widely regarded as one of the most influential characters in modern literature. His pivotal role in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee exemplifies this influence and demonstrates his positive effect on his children, Jem and Scout. Throughout the novel, Atticus leads by example and provides lessons and teachings for his children to follow. His wisdom proves to be an instrumental part in the maturation and development of his children, and helps them to grow, learn, and adapt to the changing world around them. Atticus Finch teaches his children important lessons by forcing Jem read to Mrs. Dubose, remaining pacifistic, and defending Tom Robinson; therefore, he is a beneficial father and role model for his children.

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.

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)

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 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 work, Lee uses Atticus, the children 's’ father, as a device to communicate the message that children often learn the most important lessons outside of school. This becomes particularly evident in Chapter Three when Atticus makes a special deal with Scout after her teacher, Miss Caroline, tells her that she is not allowed to read with him at home

Atticus and Jem have a unique and unusual relationship as father and son. Atticus and Jem’s relationship is also based on respect and love. Atticus gives forth to is son the personal responsibility to have and make mistakes and then learn from them. Even as a younger kid, Jem not only looks up to his father but also tries to remain worthy of his father's respect, unlike lots of child-parent relationships .Their amusing bond influences Scouts outlooks on things, outcome in life and personality, and teaches great lessons. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird there is a racial battle, which conflicts the small southern town of Maycomb.

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.

Lastly, Atticus emphasizes how vital inner peace and making the moral decision in a given situation is to maturation. For instance, in a conversation with his children, Atticus comments, “Before I can live with other folks I got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by a majority rule is a man’s conscience.” (Lee 105) By emphasizing the importance of having personal integrity and doing the ethical thing in any circumstance, Atticus provides his children with wisdom that will carry them through life. Therefore, through unremittingly reiterating the importance of moral decisions, proving the need for pacifism and establishing the importance of multiple perspectives, Atticus verifies himself as a major contributor in Jem and Scout’s development into adolescence.

In the story “To Kill a Mockingbird” the relationship between Atticus Finch and his children Jem and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch is a large focus through the novel. Throughout the book it is clear to both the reader and the children that Atticus finch is a wise and loving man. As he takes on the duty of raising two kids and working as a lawyer it is shocking his relationship with the children does not dwindle. Instead he continues to fill them with insight into cruel situations uncanny to children and accepted among most adults.

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.

First, Atticus made a compromise to spend every night reading to Scout because he knows that it means a lot to her (Lee, 31). Atticus treats his children like understanding human beings. He is open to explaining answers to questions his kids are curious about. Second, “Jem was football crazy. Atticus was never too tired to play keep away (Lee, 89).” Atticus is a very busy lawyer, yet he still makes sure to be present for his kids when they need him. Third, Atticus allowed Jem and Scout to have air rifles, but didn’t teach them how to shoot (Lee, 79). A major lesson that Atticus wanted Scout to know was to fight back with words instead of fists He didn’t want his children using guns and he used the “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” to set a example. Atticus influences a lot on his children in terms of behavior and the way they act, he teaches them discipline and life

Though many people experience it, parenting can be one of the most difficult jobs a person can experience. There is no doubt that raising and supporting a family is difficult, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, perfectly demonstrates a good example of what a parent should be. Atticus Finch raised Jem and Scout as a single father when their mother died, and had a unique parenting style different from everybody else’s, he treats his children like adults, and honestly answers any questions they have. While treating his kids with maturity, he still understands that Jem and Scout are still young, and may make childish mistakes. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrayed Atticus as a great father because of his honesty and fairness, he taught Jem and Scout valuable life lessons, and set a good example for his children.