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The Relationship between Atticus and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird

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'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a novel that was written in the 1960s, but Harper Lee decided to set the novel in the Depression era of the 1930s in a small town in Alabama. Lee provided her readers with a historical background for the affairs of that time and in doing so she exposed the deeply entrenched history of the civil rights in South America. Like the main characters in this novel, Lee grew up in Alabama; this made it easier for her to relate to the characters in the novel as she would have understood what they would have experienced during the period when racism, discrimination and inequality was on the increase within the American society. Even though, this novel was set in the depression era, Scout goes through times in her life …show more content…

Furthermore, as Atticus is seen as a role model he is challenged by Scout. Atticus is challenged as Scout is determined to find out if he is a good father who doesn’t only do things for the well-being of Maycomb County, but also does things for her by being an ideal father. At times, this has an effect on both Atticus and Scout, as Atticus starts being honest with his daughter. This honesty also leads to Scout having faith and trust in her father. The qualities and characteristics that Atticus and Scout have, enhances’ the relationship between them as they both learn that they need each other’s support to overcome difficulties and hardships. In chapter 3, the relationship between Scout and Atticus is presented through the way Scout has been taught. As Scout is educated by Atticus empathy is shown from Scout as her father explains to her why she should show empathy towards others. By Atticus saying “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” (Page 33) Scout realises that she should try to see things from other people’s point of view to understand what they are going through. This significant part of conversation from chapter 3 shows Atticus giving Scout moral advice that takes control of her development for the rest of the novel. Lee tries to develop the character of Scout as he feels like she should be mature when facing the trial

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