To Kill a Mockingbird: The Influences Parents have on thier Children
Uploaded by billyjean11 on Jul 23, 2000
Throughout our lives we're influenced by many. It can have an effect on the way we view issues within societal boundaries. One of the major influences children have in their lives comes from their parents. The parents of a child can have both a positive and a negative influence on their lives. In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird", there are two excellent examples of how parents can be a major influence on their children. Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, plays the loving, kind and knowledgeable father. He is an example of how parents can have a positive influence on their children. Bob Ewell, father of Mayella Ewell, plays the drunken, abusive, and neglectful father. He is an example of how a parent can be a negative influence on their children's lives. Both fathers are very influential on the psychological development of their children.
Parents can influence how their children behave, feel, and act towards the outside world. If a child is brought up with hatred and anger, they can learn to view the world in a very negative way, by being critical and prejudice towards other people. However if a child is brought up with caring and nourishment, they can learn to see the world from all different angles. Atticus Finch raises his children with love and care, and teaches them to consider all angles of a situation before you judge someone; "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" (Lee, pg. 34). Using this belief Atticus is trying to educate Jem and Scout on principles of moral judgment. Bob Ewell however, neglects his children and fails to provide his children with much needed love and care. He indirectly teaches his children to hate and be critical towards people of colour. In chapter 17, Bob Ewell is cross-examined in the courtroom, and is asked several questions. When he is asked if he is the father of Mayella Ewell, he replies, "Well, if I ain't I can't do nothing about it now, her ma's dead" (Lee, pg.174). This is one example of how Bob Ewell does not display emotion towards his children and their well-being.
Many important characteristics of one's personality can be passed down to their children. A child can learn to be courageous from examples that are set by...