Holly Mitchell
Ms. Oliver
ENG 2D
October 20th 2013
What makes a father a great one?
Atticus Finch is an excellent role model as a father. He does a phenomenal job, not only by bringing his children well, but also the right way. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee does wonders with Atticus's character; she gives him excellent characteristics such as intelligence, courage, and wisdom. He teaches his children Jem and Scout that you can never truly know how a person is feeling until you walk around in their skin. Atticus proves that anger never wins, and racism is wrong and degrading on so many levels, Jem and Scout couldn't have asked for a better father. Harper Lee set out to create a visual representation of a well suited father, she does a tremendous job with Atticus. From his intelligence, wisdom, courage and not to mention his great upbringing of Jem and Scout, she wanted him to come across as a very kind, and loving man.
She did just that. Every parent brings up their kids in a different way, and Atticus Finch is a prime example of just that. He teaches Jem and Scout that racism is never ok, accepts his children for who they are, and also teaches them that anger will never win. First of all, Atticus has taught Jem and Scout that racism is a vile and degrading thing that is never acceptable. He is disgusted that the community is so oblivious to the severity of the issue, in the Tom Robinson case Atticus knows the verdict before the trial even begins. Since the whites treat the coloured folk like dirt beneath their feet, Finch still puts up a fight for his innocent client, but the jury already have a verdict in the back...