Topic 1: Why does Atticus allow his children to call him Atticus? What does this say about him?
Topic 1: Why does Atticus allow his children to call him Atticus? What does this say about him?
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Permalink Reply by Malri 9C on
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I will have to disagree with your thoughts, Atticus has already received his children's respect explicitly throughout the story. This is clearly seen in Chapter 10, when Jem talks about Atticus, "Atticus is real old, but I wouldn’t care if he couldn’t do anything – I wouldn’t care if he couldn’t do a blessed thing. Atticus is a gentleman, just like me!"( Lee Chap 10) Here, it is seen that Jem calls Atticus a "gentlemen", which shows that he had great respect for his father. Furthermore, there is many evidence to support that his children call him Atticus is because he wants to stand as an equal with his children, not of higher authority. This would make sense as this would fulfill his character's attributes as the signification of "equality" during an era where racial equality was anything but a dream. In order to truly be equal with all, Atticus would have to logically be of equal to those dearest to him, and for him that is his own children. To illustrate, Atticus shows his grit for equality by defending his beliefs and honor in court to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who he believes is wrongly accused of rape, "Don’t let your prejudices get the better of you and make you think he’s guilty just because he’s black." (Lee Chap 20). Here, it is seen that Atticus risks his reputation to defend Tom Robinson, and reminds the Jury that their "prejudice" should not let them bat a blind eye to believe that all black people are "immoral and untrustworthy." For an individual to risk his honor and reputation for equality demonstrates Atticus's integrity to the injustice people of color are suffering at such a harsh time during this era. This also establishes Atticus's yearning to become equal with all individuals in all aspects. To conclude, your argument does not seem correct to me as it is evident that Atticus already received his children's respect, and that the reason they call him by his first name is so that he can be of equal stance to them, as this would fulfill his desire to be equal with all individuals.
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Permalink Reply by Sekaakwa 9c on
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There are many, many, many ways one can take this. Whether its the children's' fault cause they are disrespectful, or Atticus's since he allows it; calling their father by his name could be because he wants to be their friend, or in my opinion because there is a much more emotional and deeper meaning behind it. I for one believe its a matter of fact that he doesn't want to fell as a failure, when speaking of his children, or having his children speak to him. This is because he doesn't spend too much time with them, or tries to express himself to them, he is more conformed around Jem and Scout. I mean even Scout said so herself-character in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee- that Atticus keep things away from them, silly things. Then again Atticus is less a father but more of a speaker for the children. He doesn't seem to be the to see them as they grow up, (right now its more like Aunt Alexandra, and always Calpurina) but he exposes them to reality and the difficulties the world is facing. He tells Jem and Scout things to make them think, such as "to craw into heir skin, and walk around in it," part 1, and things like his display of integrity. Hes not teaching the kids, just exposing them to these traits. In brief, i for one believe that Scout ans Jem call their father by his first name, since his less of a father and more of a... good neighbor, or someone likes to be mysteries and hides the truth behind a saying.
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Permalink Reply by Wrighty 9D on
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I disagree with you because I don't think that Atticus means for Scout or Jem to be disrespectful in any way, and during the the book To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee she doesn't ever talk about how the town thinks that the kids calling there father by his first name is disprespectful, even though it is uncommon it seems as if the town didn't really care or found it ill-behaved in any way. During the book, the town talks about MANY things that the kids do that many people in Maycomb find immature of Atticus to let his children do-- such as letting them attending the trial of Tom Robinson which showed the entire town how bias one can be towards and innocent man just because of his skin tone. To further illuminate this point, after the trial the entire town talks about how Jem and Scout attended the trial; As the the children were walking to the front porch in Chapter 22 of To kill a Mocking Bird Miss Maudie,Mr. Avery and Miss Stephanie Crawford are talking about the trial, as they see the kids Miss Maudie yelled for Jem to come by them just to get cake, although Miss Stephanie Crawford is curious about how the kids entered the trial; she asked many questions, "Miss Stephanie's nose quivered with curiosity. She wanted to know who all gave us permission to go to court--she didn't see us but it was all over town this morning that we were in the colored balcony. Did Atticus put us up there as a sort of--? Wasn't it right close up there with all those--? Did Scout understand all the--? Didn't it make us mad to see our daddy beat?" (Lee 214) This shows many things about the town, it shows that Atticus knows letting his children call him by his name wouldn't get any judgment so that's why he doesn't mind it; the town is too busy focusing on EVERYTHING else the children do like sitting in the colored balcony or even attending the court in general, which to everyone in town, they shouldn't have-- but of course, Atticus being the wise man that he is uses the trial to show how terrible humanity can be when there's a colored person and a white person involved. Everything that Atticus let's the children do teaches them a great lesson, and calling him by his first name is also a lesson to the kids to show equality, even thought it is informal, no where in the story does the author tell us about how it was disrespectful for Scout and Jem to call there father by his first name.
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I disagree with you completely because throughout the entire book it explains how much both Scout and Jem look up to Atticus, they dont see him a neighbor or a person who hides things but as a friend, father and a puzzle. In the book you can clearly see that Jem wants to be just like Atticus and looks up to him once he turns older, he treats Atticus as someone who he wants to spend time with, yes he might be a little shady but he does want to find out what his dad does and he wants Atticus to feel comfortable with him enough to tell him what he does, same thing with Scout. Throughout this book Jem and Scout are taught lessons by Atticus that they keep in mind. Nowhere in the story do the kids disrespect him or try to piss him off or just brush him aside like a "neighbor". In Chapter 15 where Jem, Scout and Dill all sneak out to see where Atticus is going and find Atticus about to fight with a mob and Jem stands up to Atticus, Scout quotes "Jem shook his head. As Atticus's fists went to his hips, so did Jem's.... Mutual Defiance made them alike" (Lee 154). This just shows how much and how alike Jem and Atticus are as Jem is learning so much from Atticus that Jem even begins to learn Atticus's body language which shows how much time they spend together. And you dont pick up that much when you arent close with a person. This part in the book also shows how Jem is also learning to be a man of integrity just like his Dad because as he stands up to him he's basically defying Atticus, the man he looks up too, the man who taught him, cared for him and was with him all the time which shows how much Jem is learning to be like Atticus which shows how close and how tight their bond is a father and son, as a friend to a friend which is what they are and is why Atticus allows his children to call him by his name, because what that does is make inseparable pact.
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Though Scout and Jem look up to Atticus, he sees himself as a... some sort of a mess up, and believes it would take little to loss them. He doesn't see himself as much of a father at all, and even reader knows that seeing how he's constantly gone, and Calpurnia has to take time away her own family to attend theirs, and even Aunt Alexandra moving in as a permanent nanny. He clearly states that " I don't want to lose him, [Jem], and Scout, because they're all I've got" something as covering up for his son, though not guilty, makes him believe that he'll lose them, both Scout and Jem (Lee 273). And I know what your all goanna say, NO that just shows his dedication and commitment to them, saying that he loves them so much he never wants to lose them. If understanding and paying attention to what Heck Tate has to say about the innocence of your son makes your dedication to your children in jeopardy... then there's a bigger problem. Atticus his self doesn't even know his own son, he thinks Jem killed a man, that's the expectation he has in him. If Jem where to be as Atticus, would he so called kill Bob Ewell, apparently that's what Atticus thinks. We, (the 9th grade readers) think that Atticus is a role model and Jem is becoming him, well that explains Atticus's reasoning of calling his son guilty without further investigation. If accursing your our own blood guilty on ignorance is integrity and a makes a beautiful father son/daughter bond, then Atticus is a prefect parent. (Sarcastic Fascial Reaction Intended)
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I still disagree with you. Atticus, being a man of integrity puts his own son at risk when it comes to who killed Bob Ewell because HE DOES NOT HIDE THE TRUTH which lots of parents would probably hide the truth for their children-- but Atticus doesn't do that, he's all about equality. The only reason Atticus put Jem at risk and assumed it was him because he was badly injured which showed self defense which anyone would do. The only reason Heck Tate knew it was Mr. Aurthur (Boo Radley) is because he went to the crime scene and saw the injuries of Bob Ewell which showed that no injured kid would stab a grown man like that. Atticus was not trying to blame his own kid for a crime he didn't commit, Atticus was clearly confused at the time and had no one else to blame, He thought it was Jem and did the right thing by not hiding it for Jem to show that no matter who the person is, they must know what they have done and not lie about it because that is EQUALITY! He isn't putting family first because it's family, he's putting impartiality first which is straight up probity, because no one would risk telling a judgmental town that their son killed a man because of self defense, even when the town sheriff (Heck Tate) himself advises Atticus to say the situation was an accident and that Bob Ewell Stapped himself, he still insisted to tell the truth, "See there, Heck? Thank you from the bottom of my heart, but I don't want my boy starting out with something like this over his head. Best way to clear the air is to have it all out in the open. Let the county come and bring sandwiches. I don't want him growing up with a whisper about him, I don't want anybody saying, 'Jem Finch... his daddy paid a mint to get him out of that.' Sooner we get this over with the better." (Lee 273) here one can see that Atticus was not in any way shape or form was trying to hurt his child by pinning him to a crime, he was looking after him; making sure that mistakes don't repeat themselves. Atticus knows exactly what would happen to Jem if he hid the story and said it was an accident, he wouldn't be teaching him a lesson, Atticus would only be teaching Jem to be a failure because his father saved him once and he'll most likely get used to being saved, the whole point of Atticus not hiding the truth is because he wants Jem to learn from his conflicts, Atticus wanted Jem to learn to always tell the truth no matter what the circumstances were. Atticus is a man of rectitude, and not hiding the truth for his son does not make him a bad person, it makes him a wise open-minded individual that follows equality, not family.
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But Atticus blatantly accused Jem of the accident, and not to mention in front of Scout. His father didn't deny that idea, he want along with it, and when Heck Tate, as you said was the one to analysis the crime scene first hand, and explained to Atticus was what going on. Atticus, the one who has no clue in the world what happened, still claimed to have his son be guilty. If your in the right, and ignorant individual sticks their nose in your business, how extremely infuriating is that, and a shame coming from someone such as professional lawyer. I mean just speaking of that alone a lawyer, that bases things on evidence and the words of other, ironically doesn't believe a sheriffs owns in his own investigation....what a role model to people who practice law, right? As Heck Tate spoke with Atticus back an forth, he stated " 'Jem never stabbed Bob Ewell.' Atticus was silent for a moment. He looked at Mr. Tate as if he appreciated what he said. But Atticus shook his head" (Lee 272). And later counties as the unaware lawyer/so called role model (Atticus) states " I cant live one way in town, and another way in my home" (Lee 274). Thing is Atticus is digging himself a hole too big. Wrighty, you have to see that Atticus was being a hypocrite, as the quote provided shows how he wants to not be different at home and in public. But at home in his own accidence he doesn't give his children the same attention and treatment as a complete stranger on the street gets. Atticus doesn't get evidence, he doesn't investigate multiple people, I mean he could of at least as Mr. Radley why the heck he was their to start with, but no...he just said Jem, nah guilty, evidence? What evidence, investigation? What investigation, Witnesses? What witnesses. Atticus threats his family as strangers, but strangers as family, and that means turning the other cheek on his own blood, his children, the last of his first hand family. Is that honestly integrity? Utter laziness? Or just no care?
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Atticus allows Jem and Scout to call him Atticus because he wants them to treat others the same. People call their friends by their name because they have the same type of power as you. Though, adults in the other hand are suppose the be the superior ones. That is why we call them in different names: Mr, Mrs, Ms, mom, and dad. We are expected to treat anyone much older with respect and proper manners. Atticus is trying to get Scout and Jem to look at everyone in the same way and to not hate. (kind of like when he says you should get into someones skin.) Atticus's belives in equality for all men throughout the novel, To Kill a Mocking Bird, as he says "But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal-there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. . . Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal" (Lee 205). This means that Atticus believes in equal treatment and is why he is passionate about defending Tom Robinson. Also, he believes in the saying, innocent until proven guilty, and that shows that regardless of what prejudices a region holds against a certain group of people, he will tolerate them, and show them the same integrity he shows to others. Jem and Scout will continue to see others as equal like as Atticus has taught them by calling him Atticus instead of father.
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I agree with you Cloud because I believe Atticus is teaching Scout and Jem to have integrity. And treating people equally no matter what is having integrity. Also, I think that Atticus let's them call him Atticus so they can show integrity in little things. I say that because calling someone by their name isn't that big a deal. Furthermore, I think that Atticus's teachings are working because his kids do have integrity. To support this idea more, when a mob came to hurt Tom Robinson, Atticus said, "Go home, Jem","Take Scout and Dill home" and then "Jem shook his head"(Lee 203). The reason Jem didnt go home was because he didnt want Tom Robinson to get hurt. He wanted to do the right thing by standing there with Atticus. Thus, I think that Atticus allows Jem and Scout to call him by his name to have more integrity.
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I agree with you because I feel that Atticus believes that all people should be treated equally no matter who they are or what family they come from. To clarify, Atticus does not want to treat his children differently than everyone else because he believes that everybody is the same. Furthermore, Atticus thinks that if Jem and Scout feel that he is treating them differently, then they will thinks that it's okay to discriminate. In chapter 30 of "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus says, "I don't want [Jem] growing up with a whisper about him, I don't want anybody saying, 'Jem Finch . . . his daddy paid a mint to get him out of that.' Sooner we get this over with the better."(Lee 273). This evidence shows that even though Jem is Atticus' son, Atticus still wants him to have the same punishment as anyone else that committed a crime would have. Thus, Atticus thinks that everyone should have the right to equal treatment whether they are his children or people he has never met before.
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I agree with you cloud because Atticus wants everybody to be treated the same. Also because Atticus doesn't treat his kids different from anybody else. In addition Atticus wants to be a role model for his kids and when he lets them call him by his name that's a way of him showing that he is their role model. In the text To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus says "I do my best to love everybody" (Lee109). This evidence shows that Atticus treats everybody the same. Also this evidence shows that Atticus loves everybody and he gives them the same respect as his kids. All in all, Atticus lets his kids call him by his name to show respect. And to treat them the same as everybody.
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Permalink Reply by Blossom9A on
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I think Atticus wants his children to call him by his name because,Atticus just wants Jem and Scout to everyone equal. Atticus wants Jem and Scout to treat him as any other person. Atticus is also trying to teach Jem and Scout that they are equal no matter what. And last but not least, Atticus wants to show Jem and Scout that he's not gonna treat them differently just because their his children. To show this point,in the book "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Scout was telling us how her and Jem don't get treated differently just because their Atticus's children."I'll say this: Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public"(Lee,46).This shows that,Atticus wants his children Scout and Jem to see him as equal as the rest of the crowd. Atticus also wants Jem and Scout to call him by his name; because although he is the father he just wants to be the same as the rest of the Maycomb. This say's about Atticus that although he loves his children and cares for them he still has a line between equality and for him it's a big line because he doesn't want to get any special treatment from his children but when there outside they don't use that treatment to other people.So all in all, Atticus wants his kids to call him by his name not as father or dad, because he sees everyone equal even if it were his own children he would want them to see him as the rest of Maycomb.
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