He wants Scout to grow up in freedom of what she wants to be. The freedom of this leads to equality of people. But the main reason behind what Atticus intends to develop in both Scout and Jem is to be a strong, compassionate and just adult. Lee conveys the theme of equality Atticus treats to
Atticus thinks that the kids should not mess with Boo because his property is his property, and the children would not want someone “playing tricks” in their yard, and treating them differently than anyone else. Jem and Scout state that “they want to keep it that way” (Lee, 57) meaning they do not want Atticus to punish them for what they did. If they act the way they should, then Atticus would not have to punish them. Atticus is a good father that teaches his children to treat everyone equal. Lastly, Atticus Finch is a good father to both Scout and Jem for many reasons.
Atticus took upon defending Tom, a black man, knowing he would not win the case, he knew the harsh things people would throw at him. But Atticus brushed them off. The characters Atticus and Scout, in To Kill a Mockingbird showed courage by taking risks, though the outcome may not be in their favor. Atticus had defended Tom Robinson, though he knew he would not win. Scout stood up for herself when Aunt Alexandra was rude to her about her clothing choices.
When Jem and Scout’s Aunt Alexandra was thinking about moving in with the Finch’s, so they have a woman figure in their life, Atticus says to Scout, ‘’’How’d you like her to come live with us?’’’ (pg 128). This shows he is a good father because he cares about the opinion of his daughter. He honours and respects what she has to say. He is being fair because he knows the type of relationship Scout and her Aunt Alexandra have. He wants to make sure that whatever happens is fair and right and that she is okay with whatever happens.
One day Scout is talking to Atticus about his case and their conversation goes as follows: “‘Do you defend ni*gers, Atticus?’ I asked him that evening. ‘Of course I do. Don’t say ni*ger, Scout. That’s common’” (Lee 75). What Atticus means by ‘common’ is that what Scout is saying is low class, vulgar, and degrading, according to enotes.com (Craw Expert Answers).
This is shown through the actions of Atticus both in and outside of the trial. Atticus tries his best to teach and show others-specifically Scout and Jem-how to judge what is right and what is wrong. First, Atticus tells Scout a very valuable life lesson. This is said when Scout was complaining to Atticus about her day at school, he said to her, “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 30). Atticus is telling scout that she cannot truly judge someone's actions until she sees things from their side.
He is Jems and Scouts father and he takes an active part in his children's upbringing. His kids have a lot of respect for him and listen to everything he says. Atticus is the father who has dinner with his kids every night and he reads to them. Atticus is such an honest man and he teaches his children to be honest and take reasonability for their actions. He disciplines his children without striking them.
But in all reality someone was keeping Boo in that house and didn’t want him talking to anyone outside of the walls in his house. Scout didn’t think this and that shows her immaturity. Scout starts to get bullied at school because of the Tom Robinson trial and everyone is saying bad things about her dad right to her face and she feels like she has to protect him by fighting everyone that says anything. Atticus explains everything to her ands even though he is getting all this negativity out towards him he has to keep fighting even though he probably won’t win. In chapter 9 Atticus says, “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” After this
Atticus’ experiences have led him to be more straightforward and open about the world and its truths, this is emphasized in this quotation: "When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness ' sake. But don 't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em." In this quotation, Atticus is emboldening his children 's curiosity and vivacity, as he believes telling the truth is the only manner in which to do so. However, being so open about the truth can have a detrimental effect on his children.
Atticus had told Scout that,“‘The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again’”(Lee 100). Unlike most people in this time period, Atticus can see through the black and white all the way to justice;he believes that anyone and everyone should be entitled to having a fair trial. Atticus knew it was not going to be easy, but as he told Scout here that even if he did not try, he would not be able to hold his head up in Maycomb. This next character that values respect and has shown it in a few different chapters is Calpurnia. Calpurnia is an African American woman who is the Finch’s mother figure.