TO KILL A MOCKINBIRD

To Kill a Mockinbird

To Kill a Mockinbird

Atticus's relationship to the rest of Maycomb

As an attorney and professional, Atticus Finch of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a prominent member of the community of Macomb; in addition, he is well-respected for his humility and his fair treatment of all the citizens. He is a rational man in a community of highly emotional people, and he can handle the prejudiced white masses while still dealing with the underprivileged black population because he treats each person as an individual. In short, Atticus Finch is the voice of reason and justice for the entire town of Maycomb and for his family, as well. Atticus is a man of morals and principles and these are reflected in the way he interacts with his children. Atticus in regard to his parenting style is quite different, perhaps even more modern and broadminded in his ways. Atticus' style is something to be admired and is greatly contrast with some of the other parent in the book. Harper Lee uses Maycomb as a forum for different views of how a Southerner was treated. She uses the relationship between Atticus, Aunt Alexandra, Scout, and Cal, to show how racism affects everything. The question of poor Southerners plays out through the trail of Tom Robinson and the everyday interaction between Cal and the Finch family. Scout must chose where she fits into the racial role-playing. Her relationship with Cal plays an important part in her decision. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra show her two entirely different paths and Scout will chose the one that she thinks is right. She decides to follow the role of her father.

The relationship between him and his children bases itself on the views of himself, because he is the parent. He shows these views in how he handles himself, and how he interacts with people in the novel, most of all his children. Atticus causes his children to admire him, thus making them want to follow his methods. This philosophical basis of the relationship between Atticus and his children is one of stoicism. Counterbalancing the Gothic motif of the story is the motif of old-fashioned, small-town values, which manifest themselves throughout the novel. As if to contrast with all of the suspense and moral grandeur of the book, Lee emphasizes the slow-paced, good-natured feel of life in Maycomb. She often deliberately juxtaposes small-town ...