The Role Of Atticus Finch In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a role model not only for Scout and Jem, but for the town as a whole. He is unbiased and just in his values, and this carries over to his parenting with Jem and Scout. Atticus always listens to what his children have to say, and they greatly respect him for it. He instills in them that it is okay to stand up for what they believe in, even if the rest of society shuns them for it. They are taught to treat other people with respect and to always think before acting. Although Maycomb sometimes looks down upon Atticus, he is an exemplary parent because he has ingrained the values of respecting others, thinking before acting, and being oneself into Scout and Jem. First off, Atticus teaches his children

At Christmas, the Finches have an annual tradition of getting together as a family. For Scout and Jem, this means dealing with their annoying, pestering cousin Francis. This year, he continually makes fun of Dill and calls Atticus a “nigger-lover”. Once Scout has had enough, she punches Francis directly in the face. Francis runs and tells on Scout, and she does not get to tell her side of the story. She is immediately punished by Uncle Jack, and she is fuming with anger. She states, “When Jem an’ I fuss Atticus doesn’t ever just listen to Jem’s side of it, he hears mine too” (113). Thus, Atticus allows everyone to give input, and he thinks before coming up with a punishment. On the contrary, Jack heard one side of the story and punished Scout without thinking much at all. Another key example is when Mrs. Dubose confronts the kids about Atticus. She angrily states, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (135). In a state of complete rage, Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose’s camellias. When Atticus hears the full story (including Mrs. Dubose’s words), he responds with, “To do something like this to a sick old lady is inexcusable. I strongly advise you to go down and have a talk with Mrs. Dubose. Come straight home afterward” (138). Despite being strongly criticized, Atticus instructs that it is never okay to damage someone else’s