Essay on What Makes Atticus a Good Father?

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.

When you think of good parenting you think of nice, kind, helpful, and a good role model. That is exactly what Atticus Finch was in the story To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This story takes place in Southern Alabama in the 1930’s which talks about a character named Atticus Finch who has two children named Jean Louise Finch also known as Scout and Jeremy Finch also known as Jem. They live in a world which consists of racism, prejudice, and discrimination. Atticus is a lawyer who takes on the the toughest case of his life which came on to defending a black man from being accused of rape whose name is Tom Robinson.

Atticus Finch, the father of Jem and Scout, is a prime example of compassion throughout the novel. When Tom Robinson had been accused of beating and raping Bob Ewell's oldest daughter Mayella Ewell, Atticus was tasked to prove Robinson innocent. By going to see Robinson’s family

Atticus preached the wisdom of sympathy and understanding to Jem and Scout and never holds grudges against anyone in Maycomb. Atticus was older than many other fathers, which embarrassed Jem and Scout, but Atticus’s wise parenting quotes, “Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him,” which ultimately wins their respect for him. Another respectable thing he taught his children was how to be literate. He recognizes the importance of teaching Jem and Scout how to respect others and learn about courage. An important example, when Mr. Dubose was dying, he made Jem go read to her, which leads up to a crucial lesson about strength and courage by stating “I wanted you to see what real courage is…it’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through, no matter what.” The most important aspect in the major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird, was that he didn’t just tell his children things he wanted them to consider important, he actually lives according to such lessons. For example, even though he knows he will not win the case and is “licked” he goes ahead and pursues it anyway. As a father his most important role seems to be as a guidance above all else and his children, much like the rest of the community respect him

Ever heard of the one and only Atticus Finch? The way he raises and teaches his children makes him the best parent in town! Atticus is a character in To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel that took place in Maycomb, Alabama during racism and economic problems. In the story, Atticus is a lawyer that was defending an African-American man who was accused of raping a white woman. He had two children which took care of by himself, with the help of a female maid in their household. Atticus had to raise the two children without a wife, and also went to work daily to deal with important business. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a good parent because he is courageous and a very good role model for his children.

Atticus Finch is the father of Jem and Scout. In the story he seems a very respectable guy. He has strong morals, to which him and his children live by. He also works very hard to prove things without bias. Atticus Finch is the true hero of the story, by working hard to prove Tom Robinson’s innocence, and helping others along the storyline.

Atticus Finch is a kind, gentleman that was going to do what was right no matter what obstacles stood in his way. Atticus hates the idea of someone not having the justice they deserve. Scout and Jem are his top priority and he wants them to be good people instead of conforming to the ways of the world. Taking on this trial leaves Atticus with the heartbreak of knowing it will ruin his beloved children’s innocence and outlook on the world. Atticus wants his kids to understand that you can’t let everything anger you.

The ways to parenting ones kids are the key aspects to parents on how to achieve a safe life. Atticus Finch, the father of two kids in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, treats his kids in a unique way like no other parent would. Atticus plays the only parental figure in Jem and Scouts as their mom passed away. Atticus Finch plays a key role on how his two kids, Jem and Scout, will live the rest of their lives. Atticus Finch sets very good morals for his children, he is the only person in town who is very level-headed; on the contrasting side Atticus can sometimes be to real with his children about the world around them, even at a young age.

However, the kids are not quick to accepting people most of the time. Without Atticus being there to guide them along the path of righteousness, Jem and Scout would be just like any other kid in Maycomb. When the kids are confused as to why Atticus was trying to do the ethical thing and defend Tom, Miss Maudie has to explain to them that he was making "baby steps in the right direction" (183). When Jem is still absent minded about the ordeal, Miss Maudie says, "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them.' 'Oh,' said Jem. 'Well.' 'Don't you oh well me, sir,' Miss Maudie replied, recognizing Jem's fatalistic noises, 'you are not old enough to appreciate what I said'" (183). The kids are impetuous to judge people, like Boo Radley, and Atticus has to stand up for him against the children. Even if Scout and Jem do a good deed of exemplifying equality, they are following by Atticus' admirable example since he is their father and they live under his influence.

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

Atticus is dedicated to his children. His parenting style is of good moral guidance, strong sense of morality and justice. Atticus knows right from wrong and tries to teach scout the same. Scout looks to her father for advice when Jem hits puberty and acts stern towards her. He tells her "consider things from his point of view" (39). Atticus realises that Scout is young. But he teaches her that people should not judge. Be compassionate towards others by stepping in their shoes. Scout calls her father

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.

“‘Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right, Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy’” (119). To Kill A Mockingbird is named after this quote that Atticus says. Harper Lee used it as a metaphor to describe many of the characters who are described to be felonious people, but are actually innocent and well mannered. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and a father to Jem and Jean Finch. He believed that all people were equal and showed this by taking the case of Tom Robinson, a colored man accused of raping Mayella Ewell, and no matter how much backlash him and his kids got from taking this case, he knew it was the right thing to do. Atticus is a calm, thoughtful, and intelligent man who always keeps his head high.

Firstly, the way a parent raises a child is shown in their children's thoughts and actions. Atticus Finch is an active parent in the lives of Scout and Jem. As Scout says: "Jem and I found our father satisfactory; he played with us, read to us, and treated us with courteous detachment" (6) demonstrates that because Atticus has an active role, the children have a good and happy life. Atticus educates his children and instead of avoiding their questions, he answers them, for example when Scout asks Atticus what rape is, he explains that "rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent." (180) even though he knows that Scout is young and still innocent. Atticus allows his children to call him by his name as a way of letting them know that he is not on a superior level but rather on the same level as them in the father-children relationship. Atticus, as a lawyer in Maycomb County, is respected by the town people because of his treatment of other people even when they are being rude to him.

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is a historical-fiction written by Harper Lee. The novel’s main character and narrator Jean Louise (Scout) Finch is introduced to many of the world’s hardships, and its harsh realities. Standing as Scout’s father is Atticus Finch, leading her down the path of righteousness, fairness, and equality. Atticus is an excellent father, whom leaves little to be desired on the topic of parenting. He shows his superb parenting in numerous ways- ranging from the allowing of his children to have their own walks of life, raising his children as individuals, and not hiding his children from the true evils of the world.