Preview

To Kill a Mockingbird: the Influences Parents Have on Their Children

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
920 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To Kill a Mockingbird: the Influences Parents Have on Their Children
Throughout our lives we're influenced by many. It can have an effect on the way we view issues within societal boundaries. One of the major influences children have in their lives comes from their parents. The parents of a child can have both a positive and a negative influence on their lives. In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", there are two excellent examples of how parents can be a major influence on their children. Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, plays the loving, kind and knowledgeable father. He is an example of how parents can have a positive influence on their children. Bob Ewell, father of Mayella Ewell, plays the drunken, abusive, and neglectful father. He is an example of how a parent can be a negative influence on their children's lives. Both fathers are very influential on the psychological development of their children.
<br>
<br>Parents can influence how their children behave, feel, and act towards the outside world. If a child is brought up with hatred and anger, they can learn to view the world in a very negative way, by being critical and prejudice towards other people. However if a child is brought up with caring and nourishment, they can learn to see the world from all different angles. Atticus Finch raises his children with love and care, and teaches them to consider all angles of a situation before you judge someone; "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, pg. 34). Using this belief Atticus is trying to educate Jem and Scout on principles of moral judgment. Bob Ewell however, neglects his children and fails to provide his children with much needed love and care. He indirectly teaches his children to hate and be critical towards people of colour. In chapter 17, Bob Ewell is cross-examined in the courtroom, and is asked several questions. When he is asked if he is the father of Mayella Ewell, he replies, "Well, if I ain't
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    How Does Harper Lee Portray Atticus Finch as a Good Parent? Essay Example
    • 1002 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Does Harper Lee Portray Atticus Finch as a Good Parent? Essay Example

    Atticus realizes that losing his temper with Jem and Scout over small incidents is not part of the qualities of good parenting because, throughout TKaM, he does not lose his patience with his children. While on the other hand, there is suspicion that Bob Ewell does the opposite by beating Mayella Ewell, his daughter. From the beginning itself, Harper Lee makes it clear, through a conversation between Miss Maudie Atkinson and Scout, that Atticus does not treat his children like Bob Ewell does. Miss Maudie explains to Scout that most people have split personalities; one for at home and one for in public. Scout cuts her off by saying, “Atticus don’t ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don’t do in the yard” (46). Scout defends Atticus because she gets into trouble quite a lot, but, even then, Atticus would never lift a finger against her or Jem. Not only does Atticus rarely ever have a fit over Jem and Scout, but he also can maintain his composure and patience with them. Scout, like most young children, always wants her opinions heard until she either receives an explanation or has her way. An example of this would be Scout’s first day of school where she finds herself frustrated from her teacher constantly reprimanding her. When she gets home, Scout recaps the day for Atticus and tells him that her teacher…

    • 1002 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird: The Four Styles Of Parenting
    • 163 Words
    • 1 Page

    To Kill A Mockingbird: The Four Styles Of Parenting

    After reading Kendra Cherry’s article, Parenting Styles: The Four Styles of Parenting, one can draw the conclusion that Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird should be categorized as an authoritative parent. In the article, one can see that the author defines an authoritative parent as someone who “establishes rules and guidelines that the child is expected to follow” but, when a rule is broken the parent is “nurturing and forgiving, rather than punishing”(¶5). This is tantamount to the behavior of Atticus in the novel by Harper Lee. His authoritative behavior is clearly presented in the novel when Atticus is told that Jem, Scout and Dill were playing poker with matches. Scout reveals that Atticus had already established a rule…

    • 163 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Research Paper
    • 578 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Atticus Finch Research Paper

    Atticus promised Scout that he would "go on reading with her every night" if she would "concede the necessity of going to school." Later on in the book, Lee infers that he kept his word. Uncle Jack promised Scout that he would not tell Atticus the real reason why Scout got into a fight with her cousin, Francis. Scout recalls, "I waited on tenderhooks, for Uncle Jack to tell Atticus my side of it" and she goes on to say that he was a "prince of a fellow not to let me down." One of the main ways Atticus and Uncle Jack differ is their views of fairness toward Scout and Jem. Uncle Jack's unfairness is indicated when he jumped to the wrong conclusion and just "lit right into" Scout without even giving her a chance to explain. Afterwards, Scout explains to Uncle Jack about Atticus's fairness when she says, "'when Jem and I fuss Atticus doesn't ever just listen to Jem's side of it, he hears mine too'". After hearing this, Uncle Jack realizes that he knows nothing about children and I think inside he admires Atticus. Through dialogue with Jack, Atticus also says, "'when a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness sake"¦children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, an evasion simply muddles the'". This reveals how Atticus is not only fair with his children physically, but also in a knowledgeable…

    • 578 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Atticus Teach His Parents In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1415 Words
    • 6 Pages

    How Does Atticus Teach His Parents In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Our parents have the greatest influence on us as kids. They guide us through life when we are unable to help ourselves. They teach us, from their experience, the difference of right and wrong, life lessons, and help us become independent. They teach us all of their wisdom in hope of helping us lead the best possible lives. In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus is a lawyer and the single father of scout and Jem Finch. They believe he is a decent father, but he is much older than everyone else's parents. Atticus tries his best to teach them all about the world but he only has his view to teach from. They lack a mother figure until Aunt Alexandra comes to live with them. Atticus tries his best to keep them out of his own problems when…

    • 1415 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    What Is Atticus Finch Courageous
    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What Is Atticus Finch Courageous

    Unlike his brother, Atticus is an expert in dealing with little children. His wise and firm opinions and deeds have had great influence on the characters of Jem and Scout as the novel proceeds. Miss Maudie says that “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets”. He deals with Scout and Jem as if they are adults. For instance, he does not hesitate to answer Scout's question about the meaning of "rape", and he makes deals with his children and is committed to them. At the same time, Atticus understands that Jem and Scout are still children and they are bound to make childish mistakes. He finds excuses for their bad deeds and that makes him more patient with them than his sister Alexandra. For example, he says to her when she criticizes the language Scout uses that "bad language is a stage all children go through, and it dies with time when they learn they're not attracting attention with it." Atticus is eager to teach his children good values and practices through people’s mistakes and poor behaviour and their own mistakes in real life situations rather than by giving them instructions. He does not rebuke or punish Jem and Scout for attending the trial of Robison or for secretly following him to the jail where Robinson was kept. He is always aware of what his children secretly do. For example, he has known that it was Jem at whom Mr. Radely once shot his gun. Yet, he frequently draws their…

    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Family Analysis
    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Family Analysis

    According to Google, a family is defined to be a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household. To Kill a Mockingbird never stops describing family to us. In Maycomb, Alabama, where the book takes place, family is everything. According to Aunt Alexandrea, every family has a “streak.” Many of her values around family loyalty and staying strong under pressure are shared throughout the novel. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper lee teaches readers about family by providing a variety of them. She teaches us about family in many different ways.…

    • 459 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Empathy
    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Atticus Finch Empathy

    Atticus shows that his words are not empty, and he practices what he has taught his children. Atticus conveys empathy for the minorities around him, such as the Ewell family and the Negroes. Tom Robinson, a black man, is being represented in court by Atticus. Atticus empathizes for Tom who is wrongly accused of taking advantage of Mayella Ewell, a poor white women, and tries his hardest to win the case for Tom. After losing the trial and humiliating the Ewells in the process, Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father, spits in Atticus’ face and threatens to get even with him. Atticus, feeling sorry for Mayella, takes this incident and uses it as a lesson of empathy for his children. Atticus says, “ Jem see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed every thread of credibility at that trial, if he he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always do. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there” (292-293). The lesson of empathy is supported largely through Atticus, and his ways with Tom and the Ewells. To sum up, Atticus’ inspirational experiences convey greatly to his children, and help to better them for the rest of the…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Maturation Analysis
    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Maturation Analysis

    The process of maturing is an ongoing part of a person’s life. Maturing is the only thing that affects how the way a person acts, feels or does something. The more one matures, the more aware he or she becomes how she acts, feels or behaves. Maturation is an action or process of growing up and is the physical, intellectual, or emotional process of development. Harper Lee is a really talented author and has written this fantastic book named ToKillAMockingbird. Harper Lee demonstrates the process of maturing in ToKillAMockingbird in many ways. Many characters in the book go through maturation but the three characters who exemplify this topic are Jem, Scout and Boo Radley. Each mature in their own ways thorough their own experiences.…

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Atticus is the father figure for his kids, Jem and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. The Finch family lives in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. The kids spend much of their time playing with their gregarious neighbor, Dill, and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor Boo Radley. When their father, Atticus, who is a widowed man and a respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson against fabricated rape charges against a white girl, he is in/at a detriment. The trial, events following and the people they have interactions with, expose Jem and Scout to racism and stereotyping. This completely changes their view of the world. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, uses characterization to portray how a child’s…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella, was furious at Atticus for defending Tom in the first place. However, Bob was frightened that the people of Maycomb would discover the truth that he beats Mayella. Therefore, Bob Ewell cursed at Atticus, threatened to kill him, and then spit in his face. Atticus explains to Scout and Jem that they must climb into his skin and understand his motives. Atticus demonstrates empathy towards Mayella when he says, “So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody, and I'd rather it be me than that household of children out there” (Page…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Life Lessons Analysis
    • 1053 Words
    • 5 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Life Lessons Analysis

    Have you ever thought, why is my teacher so adamant about me reading To Kill a Mockingbird? What if I told you it is filled to the brim with life lessons and morals that allow us to reflect deeply upon it? Firstly, life lessons are more important than you think and they matter for a few specific reasons. Secondly, if you look at the main protagonist, Atticus he was always kind and demonstrated numerous life lessons. Lastly, one of the main topics is racism and it has a lot of teaching value. With all of these prominent ideas that schools love to promote, how could they not choose this book?…

    • 1053 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Influences That Affect Children and Young People's Development and the Importance of Recognising and Responding to Concerns About Their Development.
    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Influences That Affect Children and Young People's Development and the Importance of Recognising and Responding to Concerns About Their Development.

    While children are influenced by many things, there are no greater influences than that of their parents. Parents are a child’s first playmate and while their world grows parental influence will always be one of the most determining factors in how the child will grow and develop.…

    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Growing Up Research Paper
    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Growing Up Research Paper

    Can you remember a time when you realized growing up had a lot of of ups and downs? In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a young boy named Jem discovers this through his own unique experiences. At the beginning of the novel, Jem is innocent and naive while he is obsessing over his scary and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. As time goes on, Jem grows up enough to realize that Boo isn’t so scary and mysterious, and that other assumptions that he made similar to that one, such as those about Tom Robinson’s trial and growing up alongside his little sister, Scout, were also untrue. Throughout the story, he is growing up and experiencing many bumps along the way. We learn through Jem that growing up had both advantages and disadvantages.…

    • 999 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Respect in To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Respect in To Kill A Mockingbird

    In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is portrayed as a respected, knowledgeable, and true person. I have a good deal of respect for Atticus Finch, mainly because of his outlook on parenting and basic respect for others. Atticus believes that you truly can't understand someone unless you step into their shoes. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view" (Lee 34). This quote shows that Atticus is a caring parent and wants his children to learn that every person is going through their own problems and you mostly don't know all of them. He wants them to know to be kind to others no matter how they act. Atticus wants his children to learn certain lessons through experiences rather than seeing or hearing things. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (Lee 116). Atticus has good parenting morals because he understood that Jem had to go read to Mrs. Dubose to keep her mind off the painkiller. He wanted Jem to be brave and do it, even if he didn’t want to, because then he would truly understand what bravery was. All in all, Atticus is a great father figure and a fantastic parenting model.…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Good And Evil In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 859 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Theme Of Good And Evil In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Ultimately, this confronts the concept of good and evil in humanity. Because of Atticus's strong beliefs about white and black equality, he takes the case of defending a black man against a white woman. Atticus tolerates–and even embraces–the hate he experiences and teaches his children to do the same. "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, 39), Atticus says. He says this to discourage Scout from picking fights with another child, but this can apply to the way Bob Ewell harasses the Finches after the trial was over. Atticus handles problems with grace, like a gentleman, and hopes his children will do the same in the face of…

    • 859 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics