Analysis Of A Parent In Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ Essay What makes someone a good parent? In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus shares some traits many would consider necessary to be a good parent. Atticus is a good father because of his teaching of morality, his fairness towards his children, and his way of discipline. Throughout the novel, Atticus teaches his kids morals that’ll shape them into better people. In the novel, Atticus tries teaching Scout how racism works , and how it’s bad. “'Scout," said Atticus, "nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It's slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label …show more content…
In this quote, Atticus explains to Scout that it’s a derogatory term and that you shouldn’t say it. It goes on to show that he wants to teach his children right from wrong when it comes to treating people fairly. This isn’t the only time he teaches his kids about racism, however. Later on in the novel, he goes on to talk about how white men treat black men wrongfully, but he encourages them to take the higher road. “'As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash." Atticus was speaking so quietly his last word crashed on our ears. I looked up, and his face was vehement. "There's nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who'll take advantage of a Negro's ignorance. Don't fool yourselves—it's all adding up and one of these days we're going to pay the bill for it.