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 Sekaakwa 9c on May 6, 2017 at 7:57pm

Question, if someone has the same values, prestige, or/and respect as you, then why is that person your role model? What difference do they make that you look up to? I mean your both "equal" and seen the same. Thing is if that's the message that's Atticus is giving off, eh... I mean if he was to be called Atticus by his children to give off the idea that no matter the person, blood or bum, value and threat all as important, then that's a good concept. But if it were to revolve around the idea, as he stated himself, to not be "A total failure as a parent" and just him being a "good enough" person to his children and being at a point where he can say, " I am a good parent and I do mean something to these children" (Lee 366). Then again if I am to modify your idea Free, and say he's being this version of his self to demonstrate to his children that everyone, no matter the person, no matter he race, no matter the religion, but that human, is human and they should be threated as one, then that's a great philosophy, but not the one I think he's going for; but that would be an inspiration, not really a role model. All in all, Free, your idea on Atticus is something that's valuable, but not what message Atticus it trying to show. I mean if you were to analysis the book, and take it from multiple angles, he's not honestly showing equal in all races, just the ones he has pity for.

Permalink Reply by Heartfelt Overanalyzer Osman 9B on May 7, 2017 at 7:18am

Sekaakwa, i disagree with you because Atticus does not say to his children " you must look up to me". He wants them to call him Atticus to show equality in the allowance of sharing ideas and opening up to one another. Scout and Jem naturally look up to him because they are young and need guidance. Also Attics is a man of integrity and good morals, so Scout and Jem notice that and are self-willingly looking up to him because he is truthful no matter what. They are even influenced by other people in Macomb to further show how Attcus is someone to look to for guidance. To further develop my point, here is an excerpt from the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, "... if your fathers anything, he civilized in the heart. Marksmanship's a gift of God, a talent .... I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things" (Lee 126). This proves that the children looking up to Atticus is also influenced by other people in Macomb. Now, put yourself in Scout or Jems shoes. If you encountered a random man with the same morals as Atticus, wouldn't you want to look up to him and learn from them even though he is just a stranger that you are not obligated to look up to? I think a majority of us would say yes, because the ideals Atticus showcases are absolutely wonderful and to be a true person of integrity, these ideals will lead you right onto that path. In conclusion, just because you look up to someone as a role model, does not mean they are not of equal position as you.

Permalink Reply by Free 9A on May 7, 2017 at 7:54pm

If not to show equality, then he is getting closer to his children in a way not every father could. Scout is seen to actually talk to Atticus with her problem. Scout does not want to go to school but Atticus talks to her and gives her advice. This is when he tells her “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…” (Lee39). This is great advice and I know for a fact that my own father has never told me this before. There is this thing about Atticus that makes his children actually take into consideration what he tells them and I think a part of it is their freedom to call him by his name. Calling him by his name gives them the permission to actually talk freely with him so he can actually help them. There is a difference between Atticus and other fathers. Atticus’s children actually speak with him while for other children; it is hard to ask for advice. Jem and Scout calling Atticus by his name is a part if the closeness in their family that no other people have.

Permalink Reply by Blossom9A on May 7, 2017 at 2:33pm

I totally agree with Free,Atticus is trying to show Scout and Jem that they are all equal and there's no such thing as a person having more power then anyone else. Atticus shows that everyone is equal by him letting his children call him by his own name to show that no one has more power than anyone else. He also shows it by having, wonderful evidence, and trying to make sure that Tom Robinson(black person) doesn't get killed. And he also shows it in his own integrity. This shows that Atticus does this for his own good but also his children's own good. Jem and Scout all look up to Atticus because they think he's an good role model which he is,to his children and to Maycomb. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout was trying to explain how Reverend Skyes saw them outside the court and he took them in,so they could see the decision if the jury if Robinson is guilty or not."Reverend Skyes... steered us gently through the black balcony"(Lee,164). You can tell that After Atticus saw them he wasn't concerned about where they were sitting like any other parent would at that time.And you can see that also Jem and Scout do not mind it at all that they are sitting next to the black people; Scout and Jem have been learning and seeing equality that now it doesn't matter where or who they sit next,or even talk to. What do you guys think does Atticus really not allow his children to call him father only by his name for equality or is there a deeper meaning.

Permalink Reply by RIKA 9B on May 7, 2017 at 6:41pm

Everyone is saying that Jem and Scout see Atticus as a role model, I also said that. But a I read through the posts some people said, it kind of gave me a thought. I don't necessarily think that Jem and Scout see Atticus as a role mode, I feel that they see him as a father. Any father with good morals and values would be looked up to by his children. At one point I believe that all children would want to be like their fathers. Even if you say that they are seen as role models, aren't fathers like role models for their children. And even if Jem and Scout call him by his first name, it will never change the fact that Atticus remains their father no matter what he wants them to think. In many points of the book, Jem and Scout refer to them as father even if they call him Atticus. Atticus even says that "Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I've tried to live so I can look squarely back at him" (Lee 366). This shows that Jem looks up to Atticus and in return Atticus does whatever he can to meet his expectations as the righteous man he is. Jem may look at him as a role model, but I feel he views them as a father more, for he watches what Atticus does before he looks at anyone else. In conclusion I feel as though Atticus is more of a fatherly figure (which he is) to Jem and Scout, rather than a role model.

Permalink Reply by Free 9A on May 7, 2017 at 8:24pm

Atticus still remains a father to Scout and Jem, even though they call him by his name. Role models don’t always have to be fathers but in this case, Atticus is a role model to his children. He can be both to them. Jem is always seen to look up to Atticus. Atticus will always be a father to his children. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is seen to say “Our father said we were both right” in the beginning of the book (Lee3). Scout understands that he is her father. Just because they don’t call him that doesn’t mean that he isn’t. They both understand what Atticus is to them. Atticus is also a role model to his kids because as you said, Atticus has said "Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I've tried to live so I can look squarely back at him" (Lee 366). Jem does look up to Atticus. He’s not just a father to him, but also a role model. Jem understands that what Atticus stands for is what he also wants to stands for. Atticus is someone that Jem trusts to always do the right thing and we see Jem’s journey while growing up. Even in the book, it says that you can see the similarities between them, even though Jem and Atticus do not look alike, it’s what’s on the inside. Atticus is a father and a role model to his children.