To Kill a Mockingbird- Is Atticus Finch a Good Father? Essay examples

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird there is a strong relationship between the father, Atticus Finch, and the son, Jem Finch. Throughout the story there are many times when Atticus has to teach Jem to have the correct behavior towards people who said many hateful things about his father, and when Atticus has to correct him on other foolish acts a boy his age does. Atticus had to teach him how to treat people when he destroyed the plants in Mrs. Dubose's yard, when he learns about his father defending a black man, and the time when he snuck up in the Radley's yard. Jem also learns many valuable life lessons from the ways Atticus deals with all of the hatred towards him and his family.

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Atticus has the traits of being fair, smart, and honest. Jem and Scout wanted to shoot birds, and Atticus said that they can shoot all the blue jays they want, but that it is a sin to kill a Mockingbird. “... but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (Harper Lee, 119). This shows that Atticus is honest. Because he could have easily just said that they can shoot all the mockingbirds they want, this also shows that Atticus is a good father by telling them that if you kill a mockingbird it's a sin. Atticus is a lot older than a lot of the other kids at Scout and Jems school, but it also means he has more wisdom than other parents. “He sat in the livingroom and read.” (Harper Lee, 118).

Atticus is a great father to Jem and Scout. He took the case not only because he had to, but he wanted justice to be served. Very few whites during this time period actually wanted to do what was right. They all thought that blacks should not be considered as equal and did not want to change their opinions despite the facts. He didn’t want his children thinking that he only took the case because he had to. Atticus wanted them to know that he cared a lot about protecting human rights. Atticus takes these moments in life and makes them great teaching opportunities which makes him a very smart parent.

Atticus is one of the few people in Maycomb who are against prejudice, and Scout and Jem are lucky to have a father who does not agree with the mindset of racism. He guides them with his good morals and they listen to him: “’I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town.’” (117) The case of Tom Robinson showcases the extreme racism in Maycomb, but Scout and Jem were not satisfied with the verdict due to Atticus’ teachings. In addition, he has many good traits which Scout and Jem look up to.

One of the major focus’ in part one of To Kill A Mocking Bird is Atticus and his relationship with his children. From the start of the book we see Scout and Jem call their father by his name, Atticus and not by dad or father. This shows that the children have respect for their father and also that Atticus does not raise his children like a normal father. As Atticus is a much older father he teaches his children different things. He teaches them what true bravery is by facing his problems by fighting them but instead by helping them. This is shown when Atticus tells Jem and Scout “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember its a sin to kill a mocking bird” ( Pg 98). This shows Atticus being compassionate and thinking about his actions before he does them. He tries to teach these skills to his children and in the end they pay off.

Atticus shows social justice and equality by how he reacts to his children fighting. Jem was trying to tell Scout what to do, this enraged her leading to the two in a physical fight. After Atticus breaks up the fight he says “Lets leave it at this: you mind Jem whenever he can make you. Fair enough?”(Lee 138) Even though Jem is the older one, Atticus still wants Scout to have a say in the matter, even though she is younger. This system that Atticus made displays equality and fairness. In addition to Atticus teaching his children this lesson he later tells the children to stop messing

Mr. Finch is considered the model for fathers in the modern world, and if more were like him America, and the world, would be a better place. Atticus Finch displays an immense

In Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a model of integrity that every lawyer and father should take after. Atticus Finch is a good father to his children because he is a good adult figure for them. When Atticus was asked to defend Tom Robinson, he tried his absolute best; believing that everyone had and equal right to representation. Also in this way he is a good lawyer. He had fully proved Tom Robinson’s innocence; even though he knew that he would most likely be convicted because of his skin color.

The first reason why I think that Atticus is a good father is because he taught Scout to use common sense. An example of this is when Scout, Jem, and Dill were terrorizing Boo Radley’s house, Atticus stopped them and asked them how they would like it if Boo Radley terrorized them daily. He also taught Scout to be polite, referenced in the way that Scout talks to other peers and parents.This shows how Atticus is trying to ingrain a level of respect for other people into Scout, a thing that some parents don’t even try to attempt.

Throughout the course of the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, there is much controversy among the neighbors and several family members, in regard to whether or not Atticus Finch is actually a good parent. As a working, single father he does the best that he can in raising his children, yet many characters still complain that Atticus allows his children to “run wild.” This, however, is not completely accurate, and, in fact, many of these characters are not looking at the situation, or lack thereof, as a whole picture, nor are they considering the substantial childrearing techniques Atticus uses.

Atticus Finch was a great single father to his two children Jem and Scout. He knew exactly how to raise them on his own along with help from Cal his maid. One example of this would be how he handled the Boo Radley incident. Jem and Scout were harassing Boo Radley, and Atticus got right on them and taught them that what they were doing was wrong. Jem and Scout respected their father enough to never go back to that house again. This is

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Aticus Finch is a single parent to Scout and Jem after Atticus’ wife died from a sudden heart attack when Jem was six and Scout was only two. With this tragic event Atticus has to raise his children and provide for his family. When there are two parents it is already difficult enough one even harder. As a result, many wonder how Atticus can be a good parent to these curious kids and worry about his job as a lawyer. With Atticus career as a lawyer, he knows better than anyone how to get out of sticky situations. Even with all of the stress that comes from his work and his family situation Atticus is still a good parent to his kids.

Atticus shows courage and honesty throughout the story and that teaches Jem and Scout about his good character and how they should be. He always does the moral thing and teaches his kids that some

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.

Atticus Finch was shown as a loving and devoted father in many ways. One way is, that he always has the answers to the questions his kids ask no matter what they are. For example, Atticus says, “‘Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake’” (Lee 99) when he is talking to Uncle Jack. This shows that Atticus wants his children to get the information from someone who will tell them just enough information to stop the children's curiosity. Atticus also tricks his kids into doing the right thing or doing something that will change their mindset for the rest of their life. For instance, Atticus tells Scout, “‘ I never went to school, but I have a feeling that if you tell Miss Caroline we read every night she’ll get after me, and I wouldn’t want her after me.’” (Lee 35) This shows that Atticus wants to keep Scout happy and at the same time keep her in school without Scout knowing what he is doing. Atticus wants the best for his children and was devoted to having the best for them.