To Kill A Mockingbird Father Figure Analysis

Father Figure

It is essential for children to have a powerful father figure. This is what Atticus provides for Jem and Scout, in the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus shows he is a good father many times by letting the kids be who they want to be, teaching Jem and Scout not to judge others, and showing his kids to do the right thing. Some people could argue that him leaving the kids with Cal for long periods of time strained the families relationship, and taking on Tom’s case affected the kids in school, and with friends, but it showed the kids what the world is really like and helped them decide who they want to become. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus may make some mistakes as a parent, but overall

Douse, “What are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!”(Lee 135). Most people in Maycomb are conservative and think that Scout should conform to this idea, but Atticus lets her wear what makes her feel good, and what she wants to wear without judging her and sticks up for her when others say its wrong. Letting her do this shows that Atticus respect his kids, and lets them decide what’s right and helps them along the way. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- -until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 39) . In this quote Atticus is talking to Scout saying this to her shows Atticus wants to teach his kids not to judge people. This helps Scout forgive Walter Cunningham when she blames him for starting of on the wrong foot with her new teacher, Miss

Some of this might be questionable decisions by Atticus, but he has the best intentions. Most of the things he does is to teach his children to do the right thing. When Atticus leaves for two weeks he leaves to make money for the family, “ He spends his time doin’ things that wouldn’t get done if nobody did ’em.” (Lee 155) . During this book the great depression is taking place. Even though some might say is was irresponsible to leave his children with their maid, but Cal is more than their maid she is someone they care about and feel as if she is apart of their family. Atticus left the kids to make money to support them and left them in the hands of someone the family trusts, and the kids know. Some people also could say he put the kids in danger by taking on the trial, but Atticus did this to show his kids to do what’s right no matter what others think. “Because I could never ask you to mind me again Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess. You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change… it’s a good one, even if it does