To Kill a Mocking Bird - Atticus

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Atticus Finch is the father a Jem and Scout, He has brought them up alone with the help of Calpurina. He is one of the main characters throughout “To Kill A Mocking Bird” and His family has been associated with Maycomb for generations and he is related to most of the families in town. During the book you see the different qualities and sides of Atticus and his importance in the story. Atticus is portrayed as a loving and caring father, a devoted keeper of the law, a man of hidden talents, and a man of wisdom. Neither of the Finch kids ever calls their father “Dad” - he’s always referred to as Atticus. While he definitely puts his foot down when necessary, he also treats his kids with a surprising amount of respect and never simplifies his language when speaking to his children but he also is willing to explain patiently whenever they have questions. ‘Jem and I were accustomed to our father's last-will-and-testament diction, and we were at all times free to interrupt Atticus for a translation when it was beyond our understanding.’ Part of Atticus' role as a father is a teacher, Scout and Jem's knowledge comes from Atticus. He teaches them the important life lessons that they can't learn from books or blackboards. So when Scout doesn’t want to return to school, Atticus doesn’t just tell her that she has to go and that’s that; instead, he listens to Scout’s explanation of why she’s upset, and tries to make her see her teacher’s side of things before coming up with a compromise that makes Scout happier. ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it’. This conversation between Atticus and Scout comes early in the novel, and helps the reader to appreciate the special bond between Atticus and his children. They respect him as their father, and they value his opinions and

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