The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This saying is true in many cases and happens to be true in To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the book you see children of characters start to grow up and act like their father. This essay will be looking at three families in To Kill A Mockingbird, the Finches, the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. These three families are key examples that a father’s influence has a significant influence on the character of his children.
Atticus is a morally upright person who teaches his kids a number of important life lessons and leads by example. In Chapter 3, of To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus shows an interest in Scouts feelings as he is quick to notice that something is bothering her. Scout tells Atticus of her rough first day at school and teaches her an important lesson. Atticus says, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you 'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view" (Lee 39). Atticus also continuously advises Scout and Jem to maintain self-control and to engage in respectful behaviors throughout the book. In Chapter 9, Scout asks Atticus if he defends “niggers” Atticus explains to Scout that he will be defending a man named Tom
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Throughout the book, Harper Lee suggests that a father’s influence has a significant effect on the character of his children. Jem and Scout look up to their father and both children develop into morally upright individuals. Walter Jr. shares many of his father’s character traits such as hard working. Walter Jr. is also a quiet, respectful boy who values hard work. Burris and Mayella both are disrespectful, terrible individuals. They lack character just like their father because they were raised in an abusive home without a positive role model. A caring father with good morals will have a positive influence on his children, while an immoral father with many issues will negatively impact the lives of