A parent's influence on a child is infinite. In To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, Atticus influences his daughter, Scout's, coming of age. Atticus teaches Scout many valuable life lessons which include the meaning of true courage, not to judge a book by its cover, and moral values. Although Atticus is very kind, he is treated as a “mockingbird” by society because he chose to stand up for an innocent African American man. His neighbors whom he has lived near his whole life, his friends he has always relied on, and even his own family, mock him for defending Tom Robinson. Atticus, a mockingbird to society, but a father to Scout, influences her coming of age by showing her what true important values are in life. Atticus influences …show more content…
At the start of the novel, Scouts teacher, Ms. Caroline tells her that she reads too much at home and that her father should stop teaching her. Scout comes home very disappointed that her teacher has told her to stop reading, which is one of her favorite things to do, and therefore she concludes that she hates school and will not return. Her father responds by saying that as long as she goes to school he promises he will continue to read with her nightly, as they used to. This scene depicts Atticus value of education- that he is still willing to read with his daughter. Not only does Atticus teach Scout lessons about education such as reading and writing, he also teaches her lessons about a different type of education- morality. Atticus shows that an innocent person does not deserve to be harmed, even if you will be harmed and made fun of by your community when you stand up for them. As he says, “ It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Atticus is trying to instill the message in Scout that even if someone may seem guilty to society but they are innocent you should not accuse them. It can be seen that Atticus is an incredible teacher because at the end of the book when Atticus is debating whether or not to send Boo to court, Scout says, if we bring him to court it would be as if we are shooting a mockingbird. At the beginning of the book Scout did not know what education really meant and she never would have said this. Scout, the student, remembered this lesson at a time when Atticus, the teacher even forgot it and this shows the power of education and morality. The book also ends off with Atticus reading a book to Scout which another one of the many examples that shows the true power of education. Atticus’ conveys the message of education and morality and this contributes to Scout
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
Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, follows multiple dynamic characters, including, Atticus Finch. Atticus is the father of two other main characters, Jem and Scout Finch; as he raises them on his own, we learn that he is honest to his children and leads them by example. Atticus is able to positively influence Jem and Scout, teaching them to respect and be considerate of others throughout the story. In Part One of the story, we quickly learn that Atticus is a wise, considerate father.
One example in the book of Atticus being the “mockingbird” was when he agreed to read with Scout at night after she was not allowed to know how to in school, as she was a few years ahead of the learning curve and of grief to her teacher Miss Caroline. Upon making this agreement, Atticus told Scout that she must not let news about slip through to her teacher, which is portrayed in the following quote: “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.” (42) Atticus knows that he is actually only doing good by reading with Scout, but he also bears to keep in mind that Miss Caroline is extremely ignorant in a time and place where many people were. Therefore, Scout talking about being more literate than any of the other students would not be taken lightly, and her learning would be prevented even more by her teacher. Atticus was just playing his part by being
After Scout’s first day of school, she tells Atticus that she wants to be homeschooled because she doesn’t like her teacher. Atticus, who wants her to receive a proper education, makes a compromise. If Scout goes to school, he will read to her every night without telling Miss Caroline. Scout slowly starts getting used to her teacher and the ways of school. Lee writes,”…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”(39).
In the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' two important characters influence each other significantly over the course of the book. The book is set in the 1930's in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. The novel is centered around a young girl named Scout and the events that developed her into a mature you lady. Scout develops greatly alongside her father, Atticus, who teaches Scout, along with her friends and family that life can teach you a lot of lessons, if you know where to look. Scout changes from a naïve, impulsive young girl to a mature young lady that ,with her new understanding of the world, influences the those around her. Atticus has learnt that humans are not faultless and not all of them share his moral values.
What are the influences a father has on his children? How about his community? The novel To Kill a Mockingbird involves many themes and symbolism of racism in the life of an average southern community taking place in the 1930´s. The reader sees this through the character Atticus Finch, the novel is able to teach and show these components in the book using Atticus´ perspective of being a lawyer, having to work for the racist and unjust legal system, and having to raise his kids to be open minded in these times. Not only does the character reflect to his children on how we have to stick with our integrity and do what is right, but he also shows the community that as a lawyer he will not use societies standards to determine his ability to see all as one. Atticus shows his view on racism and its place in the community today. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character Atticus Finch as a unifying device for the novel’s
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
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.
In the novel of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the protagonist Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch is greatly impacted by many other characters and their actions. She is influenced most greatly by the characters of Atticus Finch, Aunt Alexandra Finch, and Calpurnia. All of these amazing characters play key parental roles in Scout (and Jem’s) life including their opinions, their actions and their world view. Atticus Finch Scout’s father (a lawyer) plays a large part of influencing their sense of justice and perceiving right and wrong. He is a prime example of honesty and how the law should act in all fairness. His kids look up to him and take after his example. Another large influence in Scout’s life is her Aunt Alexandra Finch who moved down to
Shaping our Future The ways parents choose to teach their kids can have a huge influence on who they turn out to be. Atticus Finch, a loving, and thoughtful father, is a prime example of how a parenting style can affect the outcome of your kid in a positive way in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout Finch, is a product of a home where her father, Atticus Finch, treats everyone respectfully and explains situation fully so everyone understand.
Scouts true education comes not from a formal classroom but from everyday experiences and characters with whom she comes into contact. Scout learns mainly from Atticus, her father. Atticus teaches Scout how to look in other peoples perspective. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—”(55).
Scout, the main character of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, guides the readers through one of the most traumatic experiences she has has and explains how she feels about it know as an adult. In the story, a trial has come about that Scout’s father must be a lawyer in. Scout goes through many life changing events during this time, including the diverse opinions of her father. Though Atticus, Scout’s father, is going through a little dilemma he continues to stay consistent with raising his kids right. Atticus demonstrated how he wants his kids to behave and treat other people, rather than lecturing Jem and Scout.
What would children do if they did not have role models to look up to for guidance or prepare them for life’s trials? Children need an advisor to teach them right from wrong, along with an individual to assist in shaping their morals and future as members in society. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the character Atticus is portrayed as an exemplary parental figure and role model by teaching his children to be respectful and being courageous. Atticus’s act of teaching his children to be respectful can be clearly identified throughout the novel. One example is when Atticus obligated Jem to read to Mrs. Dubose.
Scout has many encounters with education-based challenges throughout the novel in school not only with teachers but also with classmates. “Miss Caroline told me to tell my father not to teach me any more, it would interfere with my reading” (Lee 17; ch. 2).
Childhood is when it is decided who one will be as they grow up well they absorb everything around them, therefore, influences in a child's life and their experiences determine what values they will have as an adult. Scout Finch from the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee learns about the important values in life and what it means to truly be a good person through the lessons she learns from people and events taking place around her. At a young age, Atticus, her father, has been there to help her develop into a person she can be proud of. He and the other people around her teach her how to treat others through several examples, whether they are innocent or even if they are treating her wrong. Through his example she learns not to harm anything or anyone innocent and how to hold her head high. Although she loves her father, scout does not know everything about him, and by the things he keeps to himself, she learns the most valuable lesson, not everything or everyone is what she expects and why it is not right to judge people. The values she gets from her childhood experiences provide her with the qualities necessary to becoming a good person, and learning what a good person really is.