Parenting is one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks possible. In the novel To
Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a model parent who teaches his children
important lessons about life. He teaches his children to respect themselves and others, to try their
best to do what's right, and what real courage is.
Atticus Finch is a very respected man in Maycomb. He shows respect to a lot of people
including his children, the Negroes, his neighbours and Arthur Radley. When asked by his
children why he is going to defend Tom Robinson Atticus says, ". . . if I didn't I couldn't hold up
my head in town [Lee, Harper pg 75]." In the same conversation Atticus shows his respect for
the black community when he tells Scout "Don't say nigger [Lee, pg 75]." When Scout says that
people at school say it all the time Atticus replies "From now on it'll be everyone less one [Lee,
pg 75]."
Screenshot of To Kill a Mockingbird(an American mo...
President George W. Bush awards the Presidential M...
Film producer Alan J. Pakula with Lee; Lee spent t...Jem shows that he has learned respect when Scout finds a roly-poly bug. Scout wants to
squish the bug but, Jem says not to, "Because they don't bother you . . . [Lee, pg 241]." By
respecting himself and others Atticus teaches his children to do the same. If Atticus didn't show
respect to Tom Robinson, he wouldn't be able to have any respect for himself. He accepts the
case not only to help Tom but to teach his own children and other people in the town about
respect. Atticus doesn't want his children to be disrespectful because if they are than people will
not respect them. The main lesson about respect Atticus teaches his kids is, do unto others as you
would have them do unto you.
Atticus also teaches his children to always...