Atticus's Stereotypes

Scout fights with Cecil and Francis because they are insulting Atticus and Scout has to defend her father’s honor.

Atticus says to Scout, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change…it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning” (101). What he is telling Scout is to think with her mind and not her hands when someone says something about Atticus or anyone else in the family,

Everywhere the Finch children go, they are met with sharp criticism. This could’ve been easily avoided if Atticus had simply thrown the case or not taken it at all. At school, Scout’s peers---especially Cecil Jacobs--- target her and her brother as a result of her father’s poor judgement. Cecil torments Scout in the schoolyard, and calls her father racial slurs. This provokes Scout, and causes her to act out and become violent.

At that moment Scouts “ Fists were clenched” (pg.99), and she “ Was ready to let fly”(pg 99) . Her anger got the best of since she was ready to punch cecil right then and there. Scouts lack of maturity shows during this scene because she feels a need to fight even though she can not comprehend his insult. Like a normal six year old her emotions easily get the best of her, all she knows is that when someone insults her or her family the only solution is to fight it out. Later when she confronts Atticus about the situation, Atticus tries to explain his reasoning behind defending Tom, only

Rather than treating Jem and Scout as immature children, Atticus talks to them as adults and as his equal. In conversations with them, he does not speak in a more simplistic way to accommodate them, yet he is willing to elaborate further with admirable patience if necessary. Atticus also encourages his children to not fight physical battles. At one point Atticus says, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat.

Atticus is an independent worker that left the family business. He is very fair and respectful when talking to anyone not just his children. Atticus states, “Try fighting with your head for a change... it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning” (Lee 87). Atticus is revealing to Scout that she should not approach someone the same way as she always has.

Try fighting with your head for a change. its a good one, even if it does resist learning,” (Lee 87). This shows that Atticus encourages them to not let anyone get to them, to do the right thing, and to think for themselves, instead of just agreeing with everybody else just because. This proves that Atticus is a good role model for Jem and Scout, which also makes him a good father, because he tries and teaches them what’s good and what’s bad. It helps them be better people, which is what a great parent should do for their kids.

Scout’s classmates made fun of Atticus during school for defending Tom Robinson, so Scout became angry and nearly fought them. When she came home, she asked Atticus why he must defend a black man. He explained that he feels morally obligated to defend him. He understood that kids in Scout’s school will say terrible things about him and that they will make her angry, so he advised that she avoid anger and use knowledge to defend herself instead of her fists.

Cecil Jacobs just insulted Atticus in front of Scout, Scout beat up Cecil and Atticus sits and talks with her. “You just hold your head high and keep these fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change.” Atticus wants Scout to know the meaning and trait of self-discipline.

He is a very responsible parent that is willing to teach his kids about the society, life lessons, certain values and morals. Many parents are very busy with work and would not spend time to communicate with their kids, but Atticus will always make time for Jem and Scout. “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anyone says to you, don’t let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change…it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning.”--Atticus (Lee, Pg.76). The words Atticus said to Jem and Scout shows a lot of care. Atticus is trying to teach his kids that no matter what happens try to calm down and don't use physical actions. He wants them to understand that everything can be solved even without fighting and hitting that will cause injuries. Atticus will always have conversation that will teach his kids a lesson. Atticus said this to Scout to explain that you don't truly know someone unless you see things in their perspective. " If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along with all kinds of folks. You never understand a person until you see things from his point of view" (Lee, Pg.30) Atticus wants Scout to understand that things are seen more deeply and you can't judge someone based on what you personally think. Atticus is like a hero or angel that will always be beside Jem and Scout to guide them through difficult

Because of the nature of this case, Atticus makes a deal with Scout to not fight anyone at school as to not draw negative attention. She follows this deal but when Cecil Jacobs announces in the schoolyard that “... Scout Finch’s daddy defended n*ggers…(Lee 99)”, Scout soon forgets her father’s words and hits Cecil. Later, at home Scout questions her father about it, and he tells her not to use the n-word.

We are not born with prejudice; we learn prejudice from our family, community and society at large. These institutions influence how we view the world. Such prejudice is shown in the true story ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, written by Harper Lee in 1960. To quote from this book, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin”. Referencing “To Kill A Mockingbird”, this essay explores prejudice using discourses of race and class.

Scout's perspective and beliefs were embedded by her father Atticus. Ever since she was little, Jean Louis never had a mother figure in her life. So, this led a young girl to become a tomboy. As the years went on, her attitude began becoming more aggressive. The very first day Scout attended school, she wanted to make a satisfying impression on her classmates and teacher. However, when Walter Cunningham makes Scout lose her temper, She gets a sudden urge to attack and fight. Jem, being the more mature, older brother, forces Scout to give an apology and invite Walter over for dinner. When the three of them arrive at home, Atticus gives Scout an important life lesson about what he believes in. “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, Page 30). The wise words

Atticus so rarely asked Jem and me to do something for him, I could take being called a coward for him” (Lee 88). By making the decision to refrain from engaging in physical violence, even though it means she is stopping herself from defending Atticus’s honor, she proves to readers that slowly but surely, Scout is learning the significance of standing firm behind her opinion in defiance of the people who don’t agree with her. She has begun to gain enough maturity to know that respecting Atticus’s wishes is the noble thing to do, despite wanting nothing more than to fight Cecil for his harsh words against her father. This event marks the beginning of her journey to complete maturity, as she begins to recognize the strength words exert over violence. Being a socially progressive father, Atticus Finch works hard to provide his children with patience and guidance to become the best versions of

Atticus demonstrates the virtue of empathy by fearlessly allowing Bob Ewell’s anger to be taken out on himself, without any retaliation. Scout learns from her father’s actions, and now when she receives the urge to start a fight in school, she will keep her fists down and make an effort to be