Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Atticus as a father

Atticus is a father of Jem and Scout. As a father of two kids, he is a generous, easy, kind, and thoughtful man, but quite strict on certain categories. He is generous and easy enough to let little Scout use cursing words. Scout even asks Atticus what some of the words that are inappropriate for little kids to know, and Atticus explains those words to Scout in a wise way so it doesn't effect Scout in any bad ways. For example,
" "What's rape?" I asked him that night... He sighed, and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent." " (page 135)
Atticus indirectly explained the meaning of word, "rape" to Scout, without using any words that kids shouldn't hear. I believe Atticus is a person who values a person's reputation, and trying to teach Jem and Scout to respect other people and their privacy, and be responsible.
Atticus is a bit similar to my mother, but bit different than my father. Since Atticus is a father, I will compare him with my father. Atticus is, again, a generous and easy-going father. However, my father is not- he's quite strict with things that I do. Atticus is very strict on injuring other's reputations or such things like that, but I believe my father is a little bit easy-going on that part. He lets me criticize some people that have done something wrong. Of course, he doesn't let me criticize people who are innocent. Plus, both of the fathers values the responsibilities. My father tells me that I've got to do something I was told to do, unless there is a critical excuse.

1 comment:

Iain said...

I do believe Atticus is a responsible and thoughtful man, along with being strict. That is is most parents who are trying to be good parents. But I think when he explains rape that he is just using words that are better to hear than what he could use. But it could be because he is valuing people's reputation and privacy.