"To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

Essay by selfyHigh School, 11th grade February 2006

download word file, 4 pages 3.0

Atticus Finch provides a vital role in the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Harper Lee uses Atticus as a role model, a parent and a counter balance for all that's wrong in Maycomb County. In this essay I will show how Atticus fulfills his role as a parent, his views on racism and his character during the Tom Robinson trial. Atticus is a lawyer and has very high moral standards.

Atticus raises Jem and Scout well. He expects them to follow a certain example and to respect the rest of Maycomb County. He shows this for example when he says to Jem 'there was no point in saying you were sorry if you aren't'. I think this line summarizes how he treats his children. He teaches honesty as a paramount quality.

Also when Scout has an argument with Mrs. Caroline, Atticus tells her that 'you never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view, until you climb into their skin and walk around in it'.

This passage has helped me to realise that Atticus bonds with his children. It seems that Scout learns more from her father then she does as school, from friends etc Scout has respect for Atticus which is why I feel she listens to him. Also when Scout reads aloud to the class, Mrs Caroline does not praise her; instead she tells Scout that her father does not know how to teach. Instead of arguing back Scout apologises to Mrs Caroline and refers to her reading ability as a crime. This shows that Atticus has taught his children not to argue back to their elders.

Overall Atticus does a good job of raising his children. He does however underestimate that Bob Ewell will try to kill his children. This is his...