The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This saying is true in many cases and happens to be true in To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the book you see children of certain characters start to grow up and act like their father. This essay will be looking at three families in To Kill A Mockingbird, the Finches, the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. These three families are key examples that a father’s influence has a significant impact on the character of his children.
Atticus is a morally upright person who teaches his kids a number of important life lessons and leads by example. In Chapter 3, of To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus shows an interest in Scouts feelings as he is quick to notice that something is bothering her. Scout tells Atticus of her
…show more content…
His son, Walter Jr., shares his father’s ethical disposition. In Chapter 2, Walter Cunningham Jr. refuses to accept a quarter from Miss Caroline for lunch as Cunninghams never take anything they can not pay back. Scout tells Miss Caroline, "The Cunninghams never took anything they can't pay back—no church baskets, no scrip stamps. They never took anything off of anybody, they get along on what they have. They don't have much, but they get along on it" (Lee 26). Unlike Atticus the well-off lawyer, Walter Cunningham is a poor farmer who struggles to make ends meet. Walter Cunningham needs his son to help him run the farm, which makes Walter Jr. not focus on his studies. Although Walter Jr. is not “book smart,” he is a good worker, which he most likely learned from his father. Walter Jr. tells Atticus, "Reason I can't pass the first grade, Mr. Finch, is I've had to stay out ever' spring an' help Papa with the choppin’" (Lee …show more content…
Later on in the chapter, Atticus tells Scout how Bob’s alcoholism affects his family negatively. Atticus says, " it's certainly bad, but when a man spends his relief checks on green whiskey his children have a way of crying from hunger pains" (Lee 41). This shows how Bob only cares about himself as he would rather spend his checks on him than an essential need for his kids. In Chapter 19, Tom Robinson is on the witness stand and tells the court that Mayella brought him to her room and kissed him on the cheek. Tom also says that Mayella told him that she has never kissed a grown man before. Tom comments, "She says what her papa do to her don't count" (Lee 260). Tom’s testimony suggests that Bob Ewell sexually assaults his daughter, which is disgusting and possibly the worst thing a parent can do to their
During the trial, Tom Robinson revealed that Mayella’s father verbally and sexually abuses her. Tom states “She says she never kissed a grown man before. She says what her papa do to her don’t count.” (Doc. B) After Mr. Ewell caught Tom and Mayella, he called Mayella a “goddamn whore” and threatens her by saying “I’ll kill ya.” (Doc. B)
Atticus is a bold man considering he knew the mob would eventually come and he had to be prepared to protect Tom Robinson from harm. In addition, he was willing to risk his life for a black man which was very peculiar during the time but dared to stand his ground and fight for justice. Also, Atticus did not mind what other people thought of him or cared less about his reputation being ruined or his family being put on the line for defending a black man indicating he had the perseverance to fight for righteousness. When Scout sees that her father is in danger, or given that he is surrounded by unfamiliar faces, she realizes one of the men is Mr.Cunningham. In an attempt to cool the tension, Scout tries to find common ground with Mr.Cunningham by saying, "Entailments are bad" (Lee 205).
During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus is the defending lawyer. He tries to turn the jury towards Bob Ewell the father of the rape victim. Atticus shows the jury that Mr. Ewell could have easily beat his daughter. The main idea that Atticus uses is that Tom Robinson didn’t hurt Mayella Ewell it was Bob Ewell. Although, at the end of the trial, Tom is found guilty and Bob Ewell grows a personal vendetta against Atticus.
Cunningham basically is a good man… he just has blind spots along with the rest of us.. but son, you’ll understand folks better when you’re older. A mob’s always made up of people, no matter what. Mr.Cunningham was part of the mob last night, but he was still a man” Lee, page 157. Walter Cunningham is a poor farmer who got involved in a mob at the jail trying to hurt Tom Robinson, this placed him on the prejudice side of people. Scout then steps forward and starts to talk to him about his son, Walter sees things from a different perspective and backs off and takes the mob with him.
Vanessa Rodriguez Mrs. Muñoz-Matheny English 9, Period 1 12 May 2016 Family Families will always grow together, like a bouquet of flowers. In the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ Harper Lee clarifies the importance of a supportive family. Harper Lee walks around and clears up that having a supportive family is significant in the Maycomb town. Lee highlights the Finch family relationships and supplies a variety of quotes to prove their devoted bond with each other. A theme in the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is that family is priceless and worthy to rescue from danger, and this theme connects with real life crisis in the modern world today.
Final Essay Outline: Thesis Statement/opening paragraph: In the story To Kill A Mockingbird, discrimination and the act of being prejudice is common among the main characters, on both the receiving and serving end. Certain characters, like Scout and Jeremy Finch, Bob Ewell, and the town folk truly create the main problem and set the theme of the story. For example, when Bob Ewell accuses Atticus Finch of being an african-american lover, because he is defending Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, according to Bob. Boo Radley is accused of being dead by Scout, Jem and Dill.
Paragraph #3 Furthermore, the most reoccurring character trait that Atticus portrays is empathy. For instance, Atticus shows Scout how he understands and share the feeling of others when Scout had trouble adapted to a new teacher in Maycomb. Atticus shows empathy towards Radley family because he understands that rumors relating to the Radley family causes the family a great deal of trouble and unwanted attention from curious youngsters such as Jem, Dill, and Scout. An instance in the novel when Atticus showed empathy towards the Radleys is on page 65 “I’m going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man.” Atticus says this quote to Jem when he was trying to get Boo Radley outside.
Because the children did not understand Boo until the end of the story, the way they treated him was based on fear and the stereotypes they learned from the others in the town. Other significant examples of misunderstanding in the book come during the trial of Tom Robinson. After Bob Ewell finds his daughter, Mayella, kissing a black man, Tom Robinson, Mr. Ewell severely beats his daughter and accuses Tom of raping and beating her. Although it is physically impossible for Tom to have attacked Mayella, he is convicted of the crime. In Bob Ewell’s case, he responds to both Mayella and Tom with violence.
Father, lawyer, and friend, the gentlemanly Atticus Finch hopes to shape the character of his children. The novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is the story of the childhood of a young girl named Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. Throughout the book, Scout’s father, Atticus, tries his best to raise her and her brother, Jem, the right way as a single parent. To Kill a Mockingbird exemplifies the way the character of Atticus Finch either uses ritual or abandons it in order to develop certain character qualities within his children. He specifically focuses on the development of honesty, courage, and humility.
In this book, Atticus Finch is a loving father who is raising two children, Jem and Scout. He is often a misunderstood individual and is frowned upon by many in his town. By looking at the examples of Atticus Finch’s parenting style, it can be seen how he is a good, loving father to his children who teaches them the proper way in which they should go. An important aspect to consider when deciding if Atticus Finch is a smart and loving father to his children is to examine some examples from the book To Kill a Mockingbird.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This saying is true in many cases and happens to be true in To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the book you see children of characters start to grow up and act like their father. This essay will be looking at three families in To Kill A Mockingbird, the Finches, the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. These three families are key examples that a father’s influence has a significant influence on the character of his children.
To prove this point, Aunt Alexandra even goes as to tell her niece, Scout Finch, that her friend, Walter, “is trash,” based upon that of his family being dirty and poor (Lee 301). Aunt Alexandra, is deeply set upon saying that Walter and his family are below hers, as a result of the classism, caused by the Great Depression. In fact, if it was
Atticus Finch is portrayed as great parent in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The way Atticus Finch acts at home and on the streets provide a good role model for Jem and Scout. He is a parent who always does the right thing and stays true to himself and to his children at all times. Atticus is a positive role model for his children because he is the same character wherever he goes and whoever he talks to. When Scout misinterprets Miss Maudie’s words she attempts to defend his father about how he does not do anything at home different than what he would do at work.
Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird is about a man named Atticus and his two kids Jem and Scout. Atticus was appointed to defend an African American, named Tom Robinson. Tom was accused by Bob Ewell for raping and beating his daughter, Mayellea Ewell. During the trial scene, everyone in that courtroom finds outs the truth that Tom is innocent against the accusations from Bob. The truth is that Mayella kissed Tom and Bob saw what she did.
A father plays a crucial role in the life of his children. One modern adage expresses a touching thought about fathers, stating, “Dad, a son’s first hero and a daughter’s first love.” This quote embraces the relationship of Atticus Finch and his children, Jem and Scout, in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Jeremy, the older of the Finch kids, holds his father in extremely high regard and depends on his guidance in life while his younger sister, Jean Louise, trusts Atticus whole-heartedly and adores him despite her occasional indifference toward him. During the three years in which To Kill a Mockingbird takes place, the author grants a glimpse of Atticus’ method of upbringing.