¶ … Kill a Mockingbird: Parenting
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of the most successful, controversial, unique and engrossing books of 20th century- characterizing the racially segregated times of 1930s in Maycomb. The book specifically follows life of two young children Scout and Jem and their father, Atticus Finch. In this extraordinary tale of courage and morality, Atticus Finch epitomizes stability, humility, high moral and ethical values and exceptional parenting skills. As a single parent in 1930s, life wasn't easy for ordinary people, but Atticus is not an ordinary widower. He is an exceptional lawyer who understand the worth and value of human life. It is in this belief that his parenting philosophy is grounded. He doesn't look at his children as little people who can be overpowered, but views them as individuals with their set of needs and acknowledges their quest to gain knowledge. Atticus doesn't follow the book when it comes to parenting- he doesn't feel that Jem must not know about rape or that Scout is too young to be allowed to read. He believes that if they are ready to know more, it signals their growth and this growth must be nurtured in the best possible manner. Atticus' rules are simple: value human beings and see things from their point-of-view. This was what had made him a very successful parent and an exceptional father that both Jem...
Interestingly, Atticus treated them as equal and adults which was the reason why they called him by his name.
Scout is an aggressive child and finds it difficult to get along with others at school- Atticus tells her a golden rule which he believes can help solve her problem: "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you see things from his point-of-view -- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Lee 30). This was indeed a sign of Atticus' humility and wisdom that he also wanted to instill in his children. He understood that the best way to deal with people was to view their problems, their issues, and their reaction from their position and that it when everything becomes clearer. Despite being a white successful lawyer in 1930s, Atticus was a humble wise man who had actually seen the world through the eyes of wisdom. He wanted his children to learn some of things that he had learned the hard way and wanted them to become better human beings. Throughout the book, we see several examples of Atticus' wisdom as a parent and his exceptional behavior with his children. He is a thorough gentleman- something that his kids have also come to understand, respect and appreciate. On one occasion when Scout learns from Miss Maudie about her father's talent with…
