To Kill a Mockingbird, a great American novel and classic by Harper Lee, tells the story of childhood and growing up. This Pulitzer Prize winning piece of literature focuses on the relationship between two children, Jem and Scout Finch, and their father, Atticus Finch. As the children mature throughout the book, Atticus supports them; he is very wise and he is an excellent father. In fact, he is sometimes described as the “perfect” father. Jem is the very intelligent older brother of Scout, a young girl who is bright and opinionated. Atticus is humble, calm, fair, extremely smart, moral, and very insightful. Early in the book, Scout views her father as weak, old, not admirable, and very different from other fathers. However, as To Kill a Mockingbirdprogresses, the two children realize how great their father is. In terms of being a father, displaying goodness means displaying a caring, humble character, setting a good example, and being truthful. Atticus is a good example of goodness. As a father, he exhibits goodness through his truthfulness towards his children and his steadfast honesty. Atticus is also very humble and displays goodness in a humble manner. Lastly, Atticus sets an ideal example for his children in the way that he defends his clients and treats others. By acting in the same way that he wants his children to act, Atticus is an ideal example of goodness.

Atticus’ honesty is a very large part of his “goodness.” As a father and an attorney, he lives by honesty and he knows how important it is to tell the truth. This is shown in a conversation that Atticus has with his brother, Jack, in which Atticus states, “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake” (87). When Atticus says this, he means that one should always be truthful, especially when speaking to children. This is a policy by which he lives his life, and that is evident when he speaks to his own children. In this situation, Atticus is telling his brother Jack that he needs to be honest with Scout. Atticus’ anger and frustration with his brother, who was not truthful, very clearly display his obligation to the truth. This truthfulness and commitment to honesty are characteristics that are seen in a person of goodness.

Another factor of Atticus’ goodness is his humbleness. It is discovered that Atticus is extremely skilled with a gun only when he realizes that he needs to use one. After shooting a rabid dog in the neighborhood, the children find out that Atticus is an extremely proficient shooter. Miss Maudie explains Atticus’ situation to the children: “I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today” (98). In concealing his great talent, Atticus shows how humble he really is. While he is different from the other fathers in that he does not hunt, fish, or participate in the same activities, Atticus is a much better father, and he shows his children how they should act through his humbleness.

Lastly, Atticus shows goodness by treating everyone with much respect. He sees the good in everyone. Atticus explains to the children how he felt about Mrs. Dubose after her passing:

“You know, she was a great lady.”

“A lady?” Jem raised his head. His face was scarlet. “After all those things she said about you, a lady?”

“She was” (112). 

Even though Mrs. Dubose says awful things to and about Atticus, he still thinks of and treats her with the highest respect. He sees her good qualities, such as her courage and bravery. Atticus looks past the mean things she calls him, and that shows Jem and Scout that they should treat everyone with respect, even those towards whom they feel badly.

It is evident that Atticus is a prime model of goodness. This is clear through his devotion to truthfulness and being honest, his very humble character, and his unconditional, undying respect for others. Because of these characteristics, Atticus is nothing other than a perfect father and an ideal model of goodness for his children and those around him, and he shows that he is in his job, his relationships with his family members, and most importantly with his children.