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Essay / Analysis of Atticus Finch's Parenting Style
Table of ContentsExamination of Atticus' Parenting Style in the StoryShowing Kindness in a World Full of Hate - Is a True GiftConclusionWhat Makes a Good Parent? As far as society knows, parenting does not come with an instruction manual. It is their duty to impart consciousness to these infants in the way that seems best to them, despite the environment and society into which they were born. The only way to learn is to follow our parents' advice. From a young age, we already adopt the mannerisms and behaviors we see in front of us. It is the job of parents to guide and teach their child the acquired skills and qualities necessary to undertake this journey of life alone. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch strives to be a strong father figure by raising Scout and Jem to treat people with dignity and respect, setting an example of faithful behavior and teaching them symbolic life lessons. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Examining Atticus' Parenting Style in the Story The author describes Atticus as having a large impact on his children's lives. Scout and Jem turn to Atticus whenever they need advice and speak to him as if they were a friend, considering that this may be why they call Atticus by his first name. He created a respectable bond between his children that no parent would have imagined at the time. This, in turn, allows Scout and Jem to acquire the same thoughtful and kind personality traits that Atticus possesses. “You never really understand a person until you put yourself in their shoes and walk around in them.” Atticus wants Scout to understand that to get along with everyone, you have to put yourself in their shoes and look at life from a different perspective. The turn of events on her first day of school had Scout questioning Atticus' words. Often people tend to do bad actions, but all with good intentions. In order to connect with all kinds of people, Scout must do so to better understand her purpose. It is not easy to live in a society where individuals express their opinions about others without thinking twice. The idea is simple, compassion is built from sympathy, trying to understand another person's actions even if they don't initially agree with them. Towards the end of the novel, Scout had a moment of realization when comparing Atticus's words to those of Boo Radley. She had learned that there is a drastic difference between how people are perceived and who they really are. Not everyone can be understood, but that's the point of trying. The whole meaning of the word “try” is to attempt to do something. If the white individuals in Maycomb had really made an effort to try to put themselves in Tom Robinson's shoes, they would have realized that he was in fact not guilty. However, this is not the case since the color of his skin perceives him in an unworthy manner. This understanding puts Scout in a position where she is much wiser than others living in Maycomb. Atticus recognizes that ultimately, everyone has an opinion. No matter what, whether good or bad, kind or cruel, Scout needs to look at life from a different perspective to get a better perspective on why they think that way. This was perhaps the main problem at the time. Judging others with such consistency has led to a world composed only of blacks orwhite people, a world of hatred. Once someone thinks about something, their actions will begin to reason with their brain, resulting in widespread violence. Showing kindness in a world full of hate - is a true gift. Atticus continually demonstrates good-natured behavior towards the people living in Maycomb. . “Jem, see if you can put yourself in Bob Ewell’s shoes for a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility in this trial, if he had any, to begin with. The man had to make some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell from another beating, that's something I'll gladly accept. He had to pick on someone and I'd rather it be me than that house full of kids over there. Through his actions, we as readers were able to identify the kind of person Atticus was. Most people's reaction would have been to react, unlike Atticus who simply brushed it off and left. Through Jem's eyes, he was able to see a kind soul walk away from what could have ended horribly. The hardest action one can do in these circumstances is to walk away and not let the rude actions of others cloud your mind. Atticus became the bigger person by not giving him the satisfaction of being provoked like Bob wanted. As human beings, our natural instinct is to let our emotions overshadow our judgment, instead of thinking about how our actions will affect us in the long run. He saved Mayella, Bob, Jem and himself by simply walking away. In Atticus's eyes, the cruelest and meanest people should always be treated with respect. One action can mean a lot. This can be over a million words combined. An action is a true representation of oneself. Their morals, beliefs, and values in life all reflect the kind of person they are. In this regard, Atticus defending Tom Robinson shows that he believes that skin color should not degrade the importance of an individual. As a father figure, Atticus is placed in a position where he not only has to think about himself but also his children. Jem is able to admire an individual who treats everyone as the way a human being should be treated. Children don't realize all this. They are born into this world knowing nothing other than what is perceived before them. Living in a time like this makes it easy for their innocent minds to be corrupted by the sinful stereotypes that society imposes on them. Atticus has witnessed it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. Life lessons come from the most difficult experiences. As a parent, it is up to him to be able to teach his children to be a light in a dark world. “I wanted you to see what true courage is instead of having the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.” Atticus had taught Jem and Scout the idea of true courage. It helps them understand that a powerful weapon will not make you braver, the weapon only has power if you possess the courage to use it. Atticus also wants the children to see how much courage a person like Mrs. Dubose has within her. Battling a serious illness while trying to kick her morphine addiction, she describes how she faced death with strength and determination. “It’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.” Mockingbirds are the pure epitome of innocence. They are living creatures that simply sing for the pleasure of others. However, they are killed by people to be used for their personal gain. Atticus wants his children to realize how the world can sometimes.