"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." This quotation by Epictetus, a great Stoic of his time, describes Atticus Finch's reasoning during the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus, the single father of two children, Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem), is a strictly static character whose strong views and sound judgment shape his relationship with them. The relationship between …
showed first 75 words of 946 total

showed last 75 words of 946 total
…en do what they must do in order to make the right decision. As the parent of Jem and Scout, everything Atticus does has a direct impact on his children and everything he does strengthens the relationship between him and his children. Stoics are courageous, honorable people, and Atticus finch fits that definition like a glove. The relationship between Atticus and the children, the philosophical basis of which Atticus controls, is therefore stoic in nature.