Ralph Waldo Emerson defines a successful legacy as having gained the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of youth, and as having endured a loss due to misplaced trust, yet still managing to find the best in people; as leaving the world a better place through kindness, courage and determination. There is a large cast of characters in the literary world who fit these criteria, from Sydney Carton and other timeless heroes of the beloved classics to real world people from modern day nonfiction. One of the greatest examples of a successful legacy in the world of literature is indisputably Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Through his compassionate nature and unwavering determination to stand up for what is right,
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A child in their teenage years has become associated with numerous headaches for parents and much discord and conflict within the household. Atticus Finch defies this standard by constantly maintaining the respect and affection of his children, even as their lives become complicated and difficult. Atticus manages this by simply living a good and honest life. He instills the qualities he wants to see in his children through the best way possible: by offering himself as a role model. Atticus teaches his children how to be better people and they observe the same characteristics within him, causing respect and love to exist mutually within the family. An example of this is when Atticus teaches Scout empathy. He says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around it,” (39). Later, Atticus shows empathy when he tells Jem, “So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating I’ll gladly take. He had to take it on somebody, and I’d rather it be me than that household of children out there,” (293). Here, Atticus is not taking Bob’s threats personally or attacking the man because he considers things from Bob’s point of view and understands that he just has to take his anger out on someone. Atticus also displays courage here because he is happy to serve as Bob’s verbal punching bag if it means sparing one of the Ewell children a beating. Seeing their father show empathy and bravery furthers these qualities in Scout and Jem. It also impacts the way Jem and Scout feel about Atticus because it proves that he is a good man, and truly deserves their love and
A child in their teenage years has become associated with numerous headaches for parents and much discord and conflict within the household. Atticus Finch defies this standard by constantly maintaining the respect and affection of his children, even as their lives become complicated and difficult. Atticus manages this by simply living a good and honest life. He instills the qualities he wants to see in his children through the best way possible: by offering himself as a role model. Atticus teaches his children how to be better people and they observe the same characteristics within him, causing respect and love to exist mutually within the family. An example of this is when Atticus teaches Scout empathy. He says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around it,” (39). Later, Atticus shows empathy when he tells Jem, “So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating I’ll gladly take. He had to take it on somebody, and I’d rather it be me than that household of children out there,” (293). Here, Atticus is not taking Bob’s threats personally or attacking the man because he considers things from Bob’s point of view and understands that he just has to take his anger out on someone. Atticus also displays courage here because he is happy to serve as Bob’s verbal punching bag if it means sparing one of the Ewell children a beating. Seeing their father show empathy and bravery furthers these qualities in Scout and Jem. It also impacts the way Jem and Scout feel about Atticus because it proves that he is a good man, and truly deserves their love and