In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout Finch are exposed to two very different parenting styles. Although Atticus and Aunt Alexandra are siblings, they differ in every way. However, the most important difference on Jem and Scout are the parental views of Atticus and Aunt Alexandra. Atticus represents the new, modern, progressive style of parenting while Aunt Alexandra believes the old fashioned, traditional ways of the Old South. Atticus cares more about behavior than fitting in the Finches “mold” than Aunt Alexandra. This is shown when Scout begins to fight Francis because he insulted Atticus. “Aunt Alexandra ministered to Francis, wiping his tears away with her handkerchief, rubbing his hair, patting his cheek… I ran to
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Atticus often asks for Scout’s and Jem’s views on important family subjects. For example, Atticus is often willing to negotiate with Scout to solve a problem. In a quote on page 36, Atticus reaches a compromise with Scout about going to school. “Do you know what a compromise is? ... An agreement reached by mutual concessions. It works this way. If you’ll concede the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have. Is it a bargain?” In this quote, Atticus is fully willing to make an agreement with Scout as long as she does the right thing. However, Aunt Alexandra is the complete opposite. She believes in a complete authority. For example, Aunt Alexandra frowns upon Scout’s tendency to wear men’s clothes instead of the more tradition dresses worn by the majority of the population. In one of the most famous quotes in the book, Aunt Alexandra says, “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches… I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life. I suggested that one could be a ray of sunshine in pants just as well, but Aunty said that one had to behave like a sunbeam." This means that she doesn’t want Scout to wear breeches and should stay in the proper “mold” of a young lady. She does not give any concessions to the kids and doesn’t listen to their …show more content…
For example, this quote from page 131 explains what she does. “When Aunt Alexandra went to school, self-doubt could not be found in any textbook, so she knew not its meaning. She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.” Alexandra believes that she is the only correct person and that all other people were below her. Atticus, on the other hand, admits his mistakes to his children. Atticus says on page 137, “Get more like Cousin Joshua every day, don’t I? Do you think I’ll end up costing the family five hundred dollars?” In this quote, Atticus admits that he has been doing things wrong and is trying to do his best. While Aunt Alexandra doesn’t admit her mistakes to the children, Atticus willing does
Atticus often asks for Scout’s and Jem’s views on important family subjects. For example, Atticus is often willing to negotiate with Scout to solve a problem. In a quote on page 36, Atticus reaches a compromise with Scout about going to school. “Do you know what a compromise is? ... An agreement reached by mutual concessions. It works this way. If you’ll concede the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have. Is it a bargain?” In this quote, Atticus is fully willing to make an agreement with Scout as long as she does the right thing. However, Aunt Alexandra is the complete opposite. She believes in a complete authority. For example, Aunt Alexandra frowns upon Scout’s tendency to wear men’s clothes instead of the more tradition dresses worn by the majority of the population. In one of the most famous quotes in the book, Aunt Alexandra says, “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches… I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life. I suggested that one could be a ray of sunshine in pants just as well, but Aunty said that one had to behave like a sunbeam." This means that she doesn’t want Scout to wear breeches and should stay in the proper “mold” of a young lady. She does not give any concessions to the kids and doesn’t listen to their …show more content…
For example, this quote from page 131 explains what she does. “When Aunt Alexandra went to school, self-doubt could not be found in any textbook, so she knew not its meaning. She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.” Alexandra believes that she is the only correct person and that all other people were below her. Atticus, on the other hand, admits his mistakes to his children. Atticus says on page 137, “Get more like Cousin Joshua every day, don’t I? Do you think I’ll end up costing the family five hundred dollars?” In this quote, Atticus admits that he has been doing things wrong and is trying to do his best. While Aunt Alexandra doesn’t admit her mistakes to the children, Atticus willing does