Theme Of Fatherhood In To Kill A Mockingbird

Calpurnia is seen both by Atticus and the reader as more than just a housekeeper and a cook; she is a part of the family and fills in the role of a mother to Jem and Scout by helping raise them alongside Atticus. Atticus deeply cherishes Calpurnia’s efforts of taking care of the children. With her doting attitude, yet, strict disciplinary, Calpurnia treats both Scout and Jem as she would her own children. Furthermore, this following quote proves that fatherhood is indeed an arduous and burdensome role as Atticus says these following words. Without Calpurnia by his side, Atticus would have found fatherhood even more of a demanding role without a wife by his side to help support and take care of the family, as well as raise his children to grow

Contrarily, in the novel “Fences”, Troy’s view of fatherhood conveyed to the reader is quite different from Atticus’s. Although it is different, we do have to consider what Troy has been through, especially with his own relationship with his father which will be explained further on. Firstly, from this following quote, we can understand that unlike Atticus’s view of fatherhood, fatherhood in Fences is portrayed as a responsibility, rather than an affectionate role, and Troy feels that his role as a father is to provide his son with discipline. Though, To Kill A Mockingbird also portrays the concept of fatherhood as a responsibility and duty but still incorporating affection. In this conversation between father and son, Cory reveals Troy’s deep rooted emotions towards his family; he does not love his family yet he believes that responsibility is the most important calling of a father. This teaches us that in the eyes of Troy Maxson, the concept of fatherhood is not portrayed as something relating to love, but solely to

Both Atticus Finch and Troy Maxson complete the role as a breadwinner; Troy works in a sanitation department and Atticus is a lawyer, though, they do differ in their manners of taking care of and raising their family. This quotation of Atticus is a crucial piece of moral advice that governs Scout’s development throughout the rest of the novel. It gives us insight on the sole principal in which Atticus lives his life, and with every opportunity, he willingly preaches it onto his children so that they grow up to become people who are not affected by racial prejudice. In the first quotation, the simplicity of it represents the uncomplicated manner in which Atticus guides himself. What furthers the success of his fulfilling of a father is the way he words this principle; Atticus knows that if he uses words or sentences which are too complicated, Scout will not understand, therefore, will not be able to live by this principal. Using phrases such as shows us that Atticus takes into account his children’s attitudes and learning capability solely to pass on morals. Furthermore, throughout the course of the novel, as the reader familiarize themselves with Atticus and his children’s bond, we learn