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 …show more content…
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 …show more content…
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
Atticus’s relationship with his family is highly altered, after news spreads about Atticus defending Tom Robinson. The case comes in between the family at a Christmas dinner when Francis tells Scout that Atticus is a “nigger-lover” (83). Atticus is following
Early in the book when Scout starts school she finds she does not like her teacher because her teacher does not believe Scout should be reading yet. Scout who has known how to read for a few years now finds this idea silly and decides to ask Atticus if she can stop going to school. Atticus tells her that if she can learn a little trick it will help her a lot in life he states “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). This helps scout realize that even though she does not like her teacher’s thinking she can see the logic behind it if she looks at it from her point of view.
Atticus is asked to defend an African American man named Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a white woman. While Atticus knows it’d be impossible to win he is willing to fight to the end knowing Tom is innocent. During all of this ordeal, Atticus is up against his white folks, who disguises him. Atticus is not the only one who is affected, but his kids too, “Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie i do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral…
The creative novel of To Kill A Mockingbird carries the reader the year of 1933 and shares the hardships experienced by two kids in quiet Maycomb County. As the flare of racism catches on, tempers flare and opinions grow out of control, the main characters (Scout and Jem Finch and Dill Harris) must sustain their beliefs and gain the courage to fight off their attackers. Harper Lee truly reveals that courage is a factor won by wisdom not by force throughout her book to Kill A Mockingbird with the help of his characters of Scout, Mrs. Dubose and Atticus. Scout Finch, Atticus’ daughter, experiences the rising tension of different opinions, even at her school and is forced to choose between fighting or being wise in multiple instances. Atticus
With their unbeknownst number of kids the Ewell brood, specifically Bob Ewell becomes jealous and outright angry that Atticus would oppose him in the court of law by representing Tom Robinson. Although against the odds Atticus feels empathetic towards the Ewells not necessarily Bob but instead for Mayella, he understands what she is being put through, Suffering through domestic abuse, and in court Atticus even goes so far as to state that he feels sorry for Mayella. To add to this he implies that the man truly guilty of beating Mayella is in the courtroom (Bob Ewell). This did nothing to calm Bob Ewell’s seething manner instead it only escalated it, and in an attempt to get back at atticus he tries to kill his children whom are saved by an unseen and unknown force which killed Mr. Ewell. The precursor towards this however was when Bob Ewell spit on Atticus but even through this Atticus was rational, he thought about it.
So I left Jem alone and tried not to bother him”(Lee, 65). Scout is putting herself in Jem’s shoes and that allows her to understand Jem isn’t feeling normal after that night in Radley Place. Scout has gotten into a fight with her cousin which Scout is then punished for without sharing her reasoning, “You’re real nice, Uncle Jack, an’ I reckon I love you even after what you did, but you don’t understand children much” (Lee, 97). Scout puts herself in Uncle Jack's shoes and understands why he did what he did and teaches him about understanding children. Scouts looking through the perspective of others is not the only thing that can be applied by Atticus’s
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most commonly taught books in American schools. Beloved by many readers and educators as a story of moral courage, it has also been criticized for its limited portrayal of Black characters, dated treatment of racism, and promotion of a “white savior” narrative”(Facing History). One of Atticus Finch’s most famous quotes allows a deeper perspective into the harmful information throughout the book: “There’s a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep ‘em all away from you. That’s never possible”(Lee 115).
Throughout the novel, Atticus is portrayed as a man of virtue and honor who stands up for what he considers proper, even when it goes against the norms of his society. Atticus Finch is a character who embodies integrity, principality, and exemplary parenting skills, as demonstrated through his commitment to justice and his children seeing him as a role model as the novel progresses An example of Atticus showing integrity is seen when he defends Tom Robinson, a black man who is falsely condescended of an awful crime. Atticus accepts the case of Tom Robinson despite the town’s racial prejudices during this era. When his children ask him why he is defending Tom, he explains, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (Lee 87). Atticus understood the flaws in the justice system and knew the odds were against him even though he believed his defendant was innocent.
Atticus’s goal was to raise his kids well and prepare them for life’s challenges. By showing and teaching these lessons to his kids, obstacles arise such as Bob Ewell’s hatred toward Atticus, Aunt Alexandra’s racism towards, and the court’s decision on Tom Robinson. Atticus was willing to protect Tom’s jail cell, willing to allow his kids to witness the evilness of the mob, willing to be criticized and hated by Maycomb, and willing to
Personal values and morals are instilled into children by their parents . Jem and Scout Finch, characters from Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, are open minded, educated, young children that have a father named Atticus Finch who tries to teach his children to have sound morals and personal values . The children have not been sheltered from life's hardships due to their father Atticus's views on parenting instead they have learned right from wrong. Atticus Finch believes that not sheltering his kids from the world allows them to form strong morals and values. Atticus Finch does what he believes will help make his children into strong citizens with outstanding values and morals.
He tells her to use proper language, not to swear, and many other lessons to make her appear more respectable. He also helps her learn to understand others by looking through their eyes. At one point, Atticus asks Scout if she is ready to read, and Scout tries to convince Atticus that she is sick, so she will not have to go to school. Atticus figures she is making it up , so he tells her he will give her some medicine and she can go to bed and go to school the next day.
Landon Bennett Mrs. Alfaro English 3 May 22, 2023 To Kill a Mockingbird In Harper Lee's timeless novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the character of Atticus Finch serves as a moral compass and a pillar of righteousness. Through his actions, words, and unwavering principles, Atticus demonstrates the qualities of a compassionate and just individual, whose beliefs are deeply rooted in fairness, equality, and respect for all individuals. Atticus's commitment to justice and equality is evident throughout the novel. He consistently upholds the belief that every person deserves to be treated fairly and without prejudice. Atticus imparts this wisdom to his children, Scout and Jem, when he tells them, “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”.
In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch shows a cautious and non-biased character with a unique parenting style. His ways of parenting are much different from many other’s ways. He is an extremely protective parent, but this makes him a very good one. From every scenario, he finds some way to turn it into a lesson for his children. All the characters in the book are very biased about skin color, Atticus is not like this.
Harper Lee uses Characterization to show the reader of her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, how different people and events impact children as they grow up and shape the kind of adults they will turn out to be. She shows how the people of Maycomb influenced Jem and how Scout’s view was changed by a single person. Lee also makes it evident that one event can change children’s entire perception of the
In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem grows from a little boy to an intelligent young man. Throughout the book, he discerns many things that shape his personality. As Jem grows, he learns how bad society is and that not everyone is perfect. Fortunately for Jem, this ends up helping him and he finds out that Atticus is a hero and that he should look up to Atticus. Through Atticus and the trial, Jem loses his innocence by learning about prejudice, bravery, and that the justice system is crippled.