Atticus Finch, Man and father |
 Aug 8 2008, 12:36 PM
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One Half of the DDD  Posts: 8,952 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. --------------------  March's Book Nook: The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge/Skellig by David Almond "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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Aug 9 2008, 11:13 AM
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TLC's Official Dungbomb Distributor  Posts: 1,474 Joined: 3:27pm June 3, 2006 Location: With Fred beyond the veil opening a new branch of WWW |
QUOTE(Dreamteam @ Aug 8 2008, 01:36 PM)  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? If only Atticus were put in charge of making changes to our government's welfare system! He recognizes the importance of an individual's self worth and self esteem being tied to being able to provide for himself and his family. While he may not be able to pay in cash for services provided, he can still give something. It reminds me very much of the pioneer days in the U.S. when life was based more on a trade system ("I'll give you a dozen eggs for a gallon of milk"). Atticus shows such a profound respect for everyone simply by allowing them to do what they can and accepting what is offered in return. Atticus extends courtesy and empathy to everyone he meets, from Mrs. Dubose, the crusty old woman who verbally insults his children every time they walk by her home, to those he cross examines (Mayella Ewell) in the courtroom. Atticus is a living example to Jem and Scout of the concepts "do unto others" and "walk a mile in a man's shoes". --------------------  Devoted thanks to Dreamteam for the pics! She's a champion of the computer illiterate!! |
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Aug 9 2008, 12:32 PM
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Dumbledore's Personal Secretary  Posts: 4,980 Joined: 10:28am December 31, 2006 Location: At a violin concert with my boss. |
Atticus Finch is one of the best fathers ever in literature. He may not have cared if Scout ran about in breeches rather than in dresses and or taken part in vigourous football tactics for Jem; but he taught them how to be good human beings by example and not sermon. That's something very rare. It is too easy to tell your children to be this and that, but setting them an example by following the rules yourself is not as simple as it seems, but Atticus did it, and did it without any trouble at all.  Atticus not only treated his own children courteously, but also others. He is genuinely interested in what Walter Cunningham has to say when Jem and Scout bring him for lunch and he gives a patient hearing to Dill when he arrives at their house after running away from his place. He taught his children how to stand up for themselves, but at the same time, taught them how to restrain themselves and not haul off and start with their fists. He showed that sometimes not fighting requires more guts than fighting. His "I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco," after Ewell spits on his face is priceless. Atticus didn't just talk about equality - he practised it. He regarded Calpurnia as not less than the children's mother in bringing them up and gave her every credit she justly deserved. He stands up for her against his sister and refuses to 'get rid' of her no matter what Alexandra had to say. He encouraged his children at every opportunity, but never let them get away with anything wrong they may have done. His praise for Jem for constructing the snowman meant the world to Jem. But he also made Jem go and apologise to Mrs.DuBose for wrecking her garden. He taught his children that courage is not shooting mad dogs, but standing up for what you believe in and giving things your best shot even though you know that there is no chance of winning. He was all for letting his son face the consequences for killing Bob Ewell and let it drop only after he realised that it hadn't been Jem who had done it.  --------------------  L O V E |
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Aug 10 2008, 03:14 AM
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One Half of the DDD Posts: 8,952 Joined: 5:31pm August 30, 2006 Location: Siriusly Dreaming Somewhere |
I agree Rowena, he is one of the best literary fathers ever. I especially like the way Scout and Jem see Atticus as someone who didn't do "anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone", he's "feeble" at nearly fifty
 (I can laugh as one who is over fifty). They don't realise that they haven't known him as long as most other people in the town and that they have only really seen one side of him. He does have other qualities but he's confident enough in himself that he doesn't need to prove himself to them, he just goes quietly about his business. Showing just the child's view and then gradually revealing other aspects through the story is a great way to show us his whole character. Atticus reminds me a little of Arthur Weasley and is something like the sort of father I think Harry would become. I can see his children seeing him as "just dad" until someone else (not Harry) tells them of his extraordinary achievements. -------------------- March's Book Nook: The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge/Skellig by David Almond "THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!" roared Black. "DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" |
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Aug 11 2008, 11:24 AM
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Dumbledore's Personal Secretary Posts: 4,980 Joined: 10:28am December 31, 2006 Location: At a violin concert with my boss. |
QUOTE Atticus reminds me a little of Arthur Weasley and is something like the sort of father I think Harry would become. I can see his children seeing him as "just dad" until someone else (not Harry) tells them of his extraordinary achievements. Ooooh ! That's just what I think Dreamteam ! Arthur Weasley is easy-going usually, but does know when to put his foot down and I agree that Harry will be quite like Atticus too to his children. Albus' asking why people were staring on the platform is indicative of Harry not telling them the true stories of what he had done. Er ... sorry, my HP obsession is showing. I'd better get back to Atticus Finch.Atticus reminds me of Dumbledore too. He's wise, knowledgeable and unflappable in most situations. His children know that they should get worried only when their father gets worried and that is so beautifully shown in the fire episode at Miss Maudie's. When Scout asks Jem whether they sould start getting things out of their house, Jem points out Atticus, who is calmly discussing something with someone with his hands in his pockets to his sister and tells her they shouldn't get worried because their father wasn't worried yet. QUOTE I especially like the way Scout and Jem see Atticus as someone who didn't do "anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone", he's "feeble" at nearly fifty (I can laugh as one who is over fifty). Hehe ! I'm not over fifty, but have seen enough not to think over 50's are 'feeble'.  Scout overhearing Miss Maudie's comment to Attiucs and wishing that her father was a devil from hell is so funny ! -------------------- L O V E |
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Aug 11 2008, 07:10 PM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher  Posts: 146 Joined: 7:46pm June 22, 2008 Location: Springfield, Mo |
this is sort of embarrassing, but i honestly considered naming my son atticus-this is how much i love atticus finch, his definition of courage about mrs. dubois (forgive my spelling) remains one of the most moving things i have ever read and i have yet to read his closing speech in the tom robinson case without a few tears.
i really admire his honesty, espescially as it comes to his children and their ability to trust him. he doesn't lie to his kids or talk down to them or try to push them or change them and that's a rare thing in life (or literature). Plus he has a good soul, he is noble without all the pageantry or self importance , he is just one of the great heroes of all time. Plus his wit is intellegent and I enjoy getting to know him, after I read the book i feel like i know atticus, like he's someone i could invite to dinner, or go to church with. even his faults are real and understandable, and honest as well. that is what i like about him as well, he is as honest about his shortcomings as he is about anything else. i also like that he was something of a "radical" in so many "unradical" ways. i really believe atticus finch is one of, if not the, greatest heroes of literature. he is a true literary gift. Atticus reminds me of dumbledore, too, when he is talking to Jem afterthe trial, it is very much like when Dumbledore talkes to Harry after Pettigrew escapes, that is the only potter comparison i will get into, but i've had some of my die hard fans make the connection in class before as well. outside of harry, atticus is my all time favorite character in a book, i must say. [/quote] -------------------- "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" Mr. Weasley was looking around. He loved everything to do with Muggles.... |
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Aug 12 2008, 04:29 AM
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Quality Quidditch Supplies Test-Flyer Posts: 1,263 Joined: 11:39pm June 30, 2007 Location: The Burrow, swapping knitting patterns with Molly |
Atticus was a man of great integrity. He never put himself above anyone else. He was a wonderful example of decency. He is one of my all time favourite literary characters.
-------------------- Maroon to the Bone Four years in a row, what champions. Hugs to Up To No Good for my cute avatar |
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Aug 15 2008, 02:57 PM
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Knight MacMod The Great Protecting The Memory Of Sense Posts: 2,511 Joined: 7:17pm February 17, 2006 Location: 3rd door on the left, Hogsmeade  |
Atticus is, and always will be, one of my favorite heroic characters. When I first read Mockingbird, as a young teen, I found myself comparing him to my own father. Although my father was a man of tremendous physical courage (one of the few survivors of the first wave ashore at Tarawa), I was astonished by the moral courage of Atticus. That, I believe, is one of the great achievements of the author--making us see clearly the full nature of courage.
I first read Mockingbird in 1962, not long after its release. The character of Atticus has influenced my choices and values ever since. I aspire to his courage. --------------------  click the Q "And, if there is need to speak in brief summary of this power, we shall find that none of the things which are done with intelligence take place without the help of speech, but that in all our actions as well as in all our thoughts speech is our guide, . . ." Isocrates, Antidosis |
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Aug 16 2008, 09:12 PM
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Doctor Filibuster's Junior Assistant Posts: 1,963 Joined: 8:57am March 12, 2005 Location: at Home or somewhere in between |
In between getting my kids ready for the first day of school on Monday, I managed to get myself to Part 2 of TKAM.
 I agree, WaM, I'm really liking Atticus as a heroic type - and thinking about it, made me realize that I married a guy who is a lot like him!  The last time he read the book was in high school, and I was amazed with what he remembered about it. He even said: "I think it starts with a kid breaking his arm", anyway, I've always liked how he has treated our children and the way we agreed to raise them. The kids call us "Mom" and "Dad", but we've (especially him) always took time to explain things to them and the most important thing (we think): not to speak down to them. It is far from perfect, but our eldest ones (ages 14 and 12) aren't afraid to speak their minds, and almost always "stick up" for those who they feel need it. The oldest wants to be a lawyer - we'll see where that takes her! Hubby also told me that he thought Harper Lee was an attorney herself. Can anyone verify this?  -------------------- Avatar made with Poser 6 and Photoshop Elements
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Aug 23 2008, 04:58 PM
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Exclusive distributor of The Dungbomb Protection Kit Posts: 2,642 Joined: 10:52pm March 5, 2007  |
I like the comparisons of Atticus to Dumbledore. The thing I am most impressed with in both characters is their ability to give everyone a fair shot at explaining their choices. I fear I am closer to Uncle Jack in dealing with my children, jumping to conclusions based on my own perception of the situation. I really admire those who can take the time to hear everyone's 'side'.
Atticus has also become one of my favorite literary characters, because I find so much in his personality that I admire, and it is really cool to see how his sense of fairness impacts those around him. For all the praise I can give him, though, his character doesn't feel perfect to the point of being impossible to identify with. He must have faults, but I can't think of what they would be. |
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