To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis :: essays research papers

TKAM   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many people in To Kill a Mockingbird that have significant influences of Scout and Jem’s actions. The two that stood out boldly to me, however, were Atticus and Calpurnia. Atticus, being the children’s father, tought his kids many moral lessons. Calpurnia acted as a mother to Jem and Scout. Throughout every chapter these two charactors were making connections that only parents can do. They both inflicted fundamental influence on the children. Atticus and Calpurnia were both essential charactors in supporting Jem and Scouts actions because they represented parental values needed for success in life; as does my father, who teaches me things no one else can.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Atticus was definitely a major role model for both his children because he was a well-mannered father. From the beginning of the novel until the end, his kids were trying to make him proud of them. â€Å"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand† (Pg. 116) is just one of the non-violent, influential lessons he told his children. One of the many ideas he tries to make clear to Scout throughout the novel is to not judge people, which is the primary conflict in the story. â€Å"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† (Pg. 34) is yet another example. Atticus is the key authority in the lives of his two children. He clearly recognizes their problems, gives them the advice they need, and lets his children handle their problems. He is distinctly there for them everytime they need him. A tticus is an unparelelled charactor in making major impacts upon Scout and Jem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Calpurnia, although not as influential as Atticus, was more of an influence at the beginning of the novel. She loved Scout and Jem like her own children. Cal disciplined them like a mother, and loved them like a mother as well. By taking them to her church and telling Scout she could come to her house, she evidently crossed a barrier from â€Å"housemaid† to a friend or a guardian. â€Å"Folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggrevates ‘em† (Pg. 128) something she tells Scout about why she talks different around black friends than how she normally speaks. This is one of the many lessons Scout learned in the book.