James Baldwin once said, “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus strives to be a good father. He tries to teach his kids life lessons like respect, tolerance, and honesty. These core values are revealed through what he says and does. Atticus is always teaching Jem and Scout respect. He teaches them to always respect their elders. When Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose's flowers, Atticus makes him apologize and accept her punishment. Through having to read to Mrs. Dubose Jem saw what she struggled with and to respect her. Atticus tells Jem, “You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety- eight pounds of heer. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.” ( Lee 128) After Atticus tells this to Jem, he picks up the camellia and scout observes Jem fingering the wide petals. Readers can …show more content…
When Jem and Scout and Dill are trying to slip a letter to Boo through the window, Atticus catches them. When Jem says they are doing nothing Atticus says,” I don’t want any of that. Tell me.” (Lee 54) Atticus wants his kids to tell the truth right away and not make excuses. At the end of the book, Atticus thinks Jem was the one that killed Bob Ewell. When Mr. Tate says that Jems not a fault, Atticus says,”Nobody’s hushing up. I don’t live that way.” (Lee 313) Atticus doesn’t keep secrets about things and he doesn’t want his kids to. Atticus also says, “I don’t want my boy starting out with something like this over his head. Best way to clear the air is to have it all in the open.” (Lee 14) Atticus doesn't want a dark secret hanging over Jem, especially when he’s so young. Atticus is very adamant about Jem confessing to the incident which shows how important honesty is the Atticus. He is honest to himself and he wants his kids to be the same