Fatherhood, a crucial part of the development of family, means so much more than a father earning money to sustain a decent life for himself and his loved ones. It means sustaining hope in a hopeless world, being there for his children despite the arduous journey of life, loving and respecting people as equals, and being the role model whom the children look up to. However, fatherhood is not as easy as it may seem.
Told through the perspective of Scout Finch, “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a riveting novel written by Harper Lee. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, the Finch family and Calpurnia, consisting of Atticus who is the father, as well as the children: Scout, and Jem, live in a rather opulent household. During
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Despite Calpurnia’s skin colour and the segregation in Maycomb towards blacks, that does not prevent Atticus and Calpurnia’s relationship, as she has been a faithful member of the family that definitely helped Atticus cope with the struggles of fatherhood. The fact that Atticus is willing to keep Calpurnia in the family and needs someone by his side to cope with fatherhood, despite her skin colour and the prejudice attitude in Maycomb, furthers our understanding and comprehension of how tough it can be to be a single parent, and how fatherhood does not always seem as easy as it is. Additionally, in the novel, the name “Calpurnia” connotes and symbolises and much deeper meaning. The latin name for “Calpurnia” is “chalice”, which is a sort of cup, and I believe that this symbolises Calpurnia’s significant mother-like role in the Finch family after their mother passed away, holding, embracing, and supporting everyone in this family even through the toughest of times. From Atticus’s desperate need for Calpurnia, it teaches us about the struggles of fatherhood and how being a father whilst trying to maintain that perfect image for your children is