To Kill a Mockingbird - Section 2 (Duncan Wanless)

There's an interesting contrast I've been noticing between Atticus's behavior and the accepted ways in which the people of Maycomb act. Time and time again, Scout and Jem have to come to grips with the way Atticus does things so differently, and their path to accepting that is one of the facets of their development through these early chapters. A lot of time is dedicated to the shame the children feel about how "fragile" Atticus is, and even more of the story focuses on their responses to Atticus being insulted. The whole incident with Mrs. Dubose is in part a lesson in maturity for Jem, but also demonstrates how the ways in which Atticus conducts himself affect the children. A similar purpose is accomplished for Scout with her cousin Francis. I see a connection between the ways Atticus has forced Scout and Jem to mature and the theme of doing what's right regardless of the repercussions. In representing Tom Robinson, Atticus is giving the children a model of adulthood and at the same time putting them in a series of situations that test their moral character (i.e. Francis and Mrs. Dubose). Though he is wary of the hardships it will cause, he is still a good father who understands the circumstances to be opportunities for his children to build character.