To Kill A Mockingbird Quote Analysis

A child’s parent is supposed to teach them how to live their life to the best of their ability. A parent can teach a child however they want to, nobody knows what way of teaching works best. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, father of two, teaches his children differently than the average person. Many people criticize Atticus’ way of parenting, such as Aunt Alexandra, but many people, however, agree with his ways of teaching his children. This book is mainly about one of Atticus’ children, Jean Louise Finch (Scout). It takes place from Scout's point of view. Atticus’ parenting is such as one would treat a fellow peer. He always tells his children with respect, when someone gets into trouble he doesn't yell, or beat them, because he always treats everyone with equality, and sternness. Scout says, “he played with us and treated us with courteous detachment”(Lee 6). In this quote, Scout states that Atticus played with his children just like every other parent. When she states that, “and treated us with courteous detachment.” This quote states, that Atticus always gave his children space. He wasn't around them all the time and doesn't watch them every second of the day. This is seen as different, and ineffective to the characters who criticize Atticus’ way

Dubose. Atticus’ punishment for Jem is to go read to Mrs. Dubose. Jem protested, just as every other kid would after given a punishment. Atticus’ reply is that he would’ve made Jem go read to her anyway. Reason being, Atticus knew Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict. Jem, however, did not know this. He went and read to Mrs. Dubose every night, and without knowing it, slowly helped Mrs. Dubose break her morphine addiction for a short amount of time. This shows that Atticus’ punishments are very unique, and most parents out there would disagree with his ways of punishing his