To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

The Reason For Character It is seen throughout history how adults influence their children which determines their character development through their upbringing. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, it shows the upbringing of different children during the 1930s and the influences that their parents and the community around them, bring upon their character. Throughout the novel Atticus tells his children, Jem and Scout, to stand up for what they believe is right and not to follow the crowd if it's against their beliefs, he influences them to stand up for their family and question why others do not believe they are the same as them. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses characterization through action and dialogue

Atticus explains to his children what he sees right and wrong in the community after discussing what he believes are the flaws in the court system caused by racism. Atticus explains “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something don't you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.”( Lee 252). This demonstrates how disgusted Atticus is with people who are racist. Atticus explaining this to his children shows the influence of Atticus' opinions and how they reflect on his children's beliefs. Throughout the novel, Scout and Jem are shown how they believe that everyone should be respected no matter the color of their skin. Their innocence makes them question the idea of racism to have a discussion with their father who explains his opinions. In addition to that, Atticus talks to Scout about the events happening in their community/her school, and he told her to consider that people never know a person until they get to

Atticus shows how he stayed calm while Bob Ewell spits and attacks Atticus, this is because he rather Bob's anger gets taken out on him, than Bob Ewell’s children. Atticus did this because of his sympathy for children. Atticus clarifies to his kids about the situation with Mr. Ewell, “So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there.” ( Lee 249), this moment shows that while Atticus explains his reasoning for not fighting back against his kids, it shows that he thinks about everyone and how selfless Atticus is for others. He put others/the Ewell kids' needs before his safety. This shows his kids to stand up for what they think is right no matter what or who is against them. Along with that, it is explained how Calpernia believed that reading and learning were important for her for her son so she did whatever to help him learn, which shows her determination for an education. It was discussed that “There wasn't a school even when he was a boy. I made him learn, though… I made him get a page of the Bible every day, and there was a book Miss Buford taught me out of -” (Lee 142), this helps to display to Jem and Scout not to take their education for granted