Question

How does Atticus feel when he delivers his lecture to Scout and Jem about their family’s “gentle breeding”? What does Scout noitice that leads her to conclude, “This was not my father”? Point to evidence in the text that signals to you how atticus feels about what he is saying.

Answer 1

"Atticus does not want to have this conversation about "gentle breeding". He repeatedly tells Scout and Jem that their Aunt Alexandra wants him to have this conversation. He says, "our aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people". He is supposed to be informing them that their family heritage makes them upper class people, who are better than others and should behave accordingly. Scout knows that this is not how Atticus truly feels or wants them to act. She says, "My father never thought these thoughts. My father never spoke so."<span />