Atticus Influence On To Kill A Mockingbird

Sapphire Landaker
5/3/23
1st period

Title

The theme of The Influence Of Parental Roles is shown in many different ways throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird. This theme is showm through Jem, Scout, Boo Radley, The Ewel childeren, and even through Zeebo. The theme is also shown through Atticus, Scout’s lack of a mother, Mr. Radley, Mr. Ewel, and Calpurnia. Is a parent's influence always good? First, Atticus is very influential in the ways Scout and Jem learn to act, and in what they do with their time. This is illustrated in how Scout and Jem could both read from an early age. Jem says, “Scout yonder’s been readin‘ ever since she was born, and she ain’t even started to school yet.” (pg. 7) Even though we can clearly tell that Jem is exaggerating, we can tell that from Atticus’s influence of always reading, he has passed down this passion

Radley is also a good example of how parents can be very influential. At first Mr. Radley keeps Boo locked up in the house. This causes Boo to withdraw from socializing with others, and he is stuck inside. Later, when Mr. Radley dies, Boo stayes in the house, and his brother Nathen Radley comes and keeps Boo shut up. “‘Why do you reckon Boo Radley’s never run off?’ Dill sighed a long sigh and turned away from me. ‘Maybe he doesn’t have anywhere to run off to…’” (pg. 163) This helps show us how Boo is influenced by his father to stay inside, and not to interact with others. Next, Mr. Ewels bad habits and lazy ways directly influence his children. His children go to school on the first day, because they are made to do so. They have been influenced by their father not to care about education, and therefore, do not even try to go to school more than once, ‘The boy laughed rudely. “You ain’t sendin‘ me home, missus. I was on the verge of leavin’—I done done my time for this year.’” This shows that without the positive influence of a parent who cares about education, children will not