Parenting Lessons from To Kill A Mockingbird
The celebrated novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" of Harper Lee needs no introduction to the readers as it is one of the most established books of all time and Lee, for years, was herself surprised by its massive success. Here in this article, I will discuss some lessons from Atticus, the ideal hero of the novel who, in my view, was too unrealistic and perfect like Mahatma Gandhi.
Atticus was one of the few people who sympathise with black people and respects them just as one person respects another. He treated Calpurnia, his housekeeper with impunity and taught his children to respect and take orders from her. He wants his children to come to him when they have some query or doubt of them rather than to ask other people of the Maycomb city. It was because Atticus was aware of people's stereotype and their narrow attitude towards many things.
"I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough... Jean Louise?"
He wants his children to trust his wisdom and they did. Moreover, he tried to set a good example for his children to imitate. Later Scout lost his impulsive attitude because of Atticus. Jem too had great respect for his dad, but he also knew that his business of fighting for the cause of Tom Robinson could put his life in danger and for this reason he, Scout and Dill went to Atticus's office without telling anyone and he, blatantly refused to leave with Scout when a mob surrounded Atticus.
He never ran away from the doubts raised by his children and answers them with his best. The way he explained the context of some mature topics such as Rape to his children is commendable. Parents should try to make children understand about the grave issues which, most of the time, they ignore. He never nags about his Scout's male attire.
In the end, when there was some apprehension that Jem could have killed Bob Ewell and after a lot of explanation and assurance from Heck Tate, Atticus took a sigh of relief because he wanted the truth and didn't want to protect his son if he had committed nuisance.
Atticus was one of the few people who sympathise with black people and respects them just as one person respects another. He treated Calpurnia, his housekeeper with impunity and taught his children to respect and take orders from her. He wants his children to come to him when they have some query or doubt of them rather than to ask other people of the Maycomb city. It was because Atticus was aware of people's stereotype and their narrow attitude towards many things.
"I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough... Jean Louise?"
He wants his children to trust his wisdom and they did. Moreover, he tried to set a good example for his children to imitate. Later Scout lost his impulsive attitude because of Atticus. Jem too had great respect for his dad, but he also knew that his business of fighting for the cause of Tom Robinson could put his life in danger and for this reason he, Scout and Dill went to Atticus's office without telling anyone and he, blatantly refused to leave with Scout when a mob surrounded Atticus.
He never ran away from the doubts raised by his children and answers them with his best. The way he explained the context of some mature topics such as Rape to his children is commendable. Parents should try to make children understand about the grave issues which, most of the time, they ignore. He never nags about his Scout's male attire.
In the end, when there was some apprehension that Jem could have killed Bob Ewell and after a lot of explanation and assurance from Heck Tate, Atticus took a sigh of relief because he wanted the truth and didn't want to protect his son if he had committed nuisance.