Atticus Finch, Man and father |
 Aug 8 2008, 12:36 PM
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One Half of the DDD  Posts: 8,481 Joined: 5:31pm August 30, 2006 Location: Siriusly Dreaming Somewhere   |
Atticus Finch was the first of his family for many generations to leave Finch's Landing and make his living from something other than growing cotton. He was followed by his brother who studied to become a doctor, financially aided by Atticus. What do you think prompted Atticus to leave and to help his brother to do the same?
Atticus is an older-than-average father and is bringing up his two children following the death of his wife when Scout was too young to remember her. They call him by his name and he treats them as equals, he doesn't talk down to them. If they ask him a question he believes in explaining things to them clearly rather than making up something that might be easier to explain than the truth. He's criticised by his sister, Alexandra, for allowing Scout to be a tomboy but he seems quite happy with her as she is. What do you think of his fathering skills. Given the times in which they live, should he try to feminise Scout or let her grow up the way she wants? Atticus had explained to Scout that people pay in kind, even when its with things he doesn't need, because they can't afford to pay in cash. What does this acceptance of goods he doesn't need tell us about Atticus? Miss Maudie tells Scout that “He's the same in the courtroom as he is on the public streets”, what does that tell us about Atticus the man and Atticus the lawyer? Atticus is keen to lead by example but the children feel that their father isn't an exciting person, he just works in an office, he doesn't do anything. Their opinion is changed when they see him shoot the mad dog and they're told that his boyhood nickname was Ol' One Shot, although Jem sagely tells Scout not to mention it to Atticus because "if he was proud of it, he'da told us". Atticus knows they're impressed and later explains Mrs Dubose's struggle before her death as "real courage" which isn't a "man with a gun in his hand". What do you think of his views on courage? Why isn't he proud of his ability to use the gun when needed? Feel free to discuss any or none of these points, or discuss other examples of Atticus Finch's character. --------------------  November's book is The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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