As a lover of literature, I eagerly grabbed Harper Lee’s novel Go Set a Watchman the moment it was released. While To Kill a Mockingbird holds a special place in many hearts, I didn’t share the same attachment, although the name Scout lingered in my mind for a future daughter. I first encountered Mockingbird during my college years as I pursued an English education degree. Despite being an avid reader, I discovered the novel in my early twenties and was captivated by its eloquent prose and vivid characters.
In my early teaching career, I observed my colleagues skillfully use Mockingbird to educate high school students about race, justice, and activism, modeling Atticus Finch’s integrity both in and out of the courtroom. However, with the release of Watchman, my teaching friends grappled with a different version of Atticus. They were disheartened by his commitment to segregation, feeling a sense of loss for the hero they once idolized.
Much has been discussed about Atticus’s troubling views on race, especially his disdainful mention of the NAACP, which feels like a punch to the gut for many readers. This version of Atticus starkly contrasts with the one many of us grew up idolizing, often naming our children after Lee’s beloved character, only to later regret that choice.
But as a 40-year-old mother to a spirited 3-year-old who resembles the young Scout, I’ve found valuable parenting lessons in Watchman. If you plan on diving into the novel, consider this your spoiler alert. I won’t apologize for Atticus’s views on race; they are undeniably offensive. Yet, I believe he demonstrates the complexity of love, even as he upholds beliefs I find reprehensible.
The story revolves around Jean Louise—Scout, now grown—as she struggles to reconcile the father she once admired with the man who now clings to outdated beliefs. After returning from New York City, she is caught between her father’s world in the South and the new perspectives she’s gained. She reflects on her visit, expressing the conflict within her: “Dear goodness, the things I learned. I did not want my world disturbed, but I wanted to crush the man who’s trying to preserve it for me.”
As Jean Louise navigates her feelings about her father, readers are left anticipating the moment these two versions of Atticus will converge. This climax offers insightful lessons about parenting my little Scout in a world that may not always accept her. Though Scout and her brother Jem are motherless, they become the center of Atticus’s universe—albeit one filled with flaws. Jean Louise recalls her upbringing, noting that Atticus was always there for them: “[H]e merely reared his children as best he could… he was never too tired to play Keep-Away; he was never too busy to invent marvelous stories.”
Atticus was consistently present, taking them to games, meetings, and church, often with his children in tow. His engagement with them was just the beginning; he also understood the importance of letting them grow independent. After graduation, when Atticus suggests Jean Louise find her own path, she feels hurt and rejected. Yet, with time, she recognizes the wisdom in his advice: he wanted her to be self-sufficient.
In our modern age of parenting styles—from helicopter to free-range—Atticus’s insight remains relevant. His struggle lies in Jean Louise’s glorification of his Mockingbird persona. Upon returning home, she confronts the reality of her father’s flaws and the desperate lengths he will go to preserve his way of life.
But the narrative doesn’t end there. Ultimately, Atticus reveals that he must dismantle Jean Louise’s idealized image of him to allow her to flourish in a new world. In a heated exchange, she compares him to Hitler, feeling utterly betrayed: “You’re the only person I think I’ve ever fully trusted, and now I’m done for.” Instead of coddling her, Atticus responds, “I’ve killed you, Scout. I had to.” Her angry retort, “I despise you,” is met with the poignant reply, “Well, I love you.”
This moment encapsulates the essence of parenting: Atticus absorbs her fury and continues to love her, not in spite of her anger but because of it. In this exchange, he recognizes her journey toward self-discovery, even if it means losing the daughter he once knew.
In summary, whether you’re navigating the complexities of parenting or simply trying to understand relationships, Atticus Finch offers valuable lessons about love, growth, and the bittersweet nature of letting go.
For more insights into home insemination, you can check out this helpful resource on our blog. Additionally, if you’re exploring options for starting a family, Make a Mom provides authoritative information on home insemination kits. And for those seeking medical guidance, NHS offers excellent resources on pregnancy and fertility treatments.