An important life lesson Atticus teaches his children is about empathy. Atticus gives Scout this advice when she's upset about a situation at school where her teacher doesn’t want her to read at home anymore because she’s so far ahead of the …show more content…
In the story, Scout had asked her Uncle Jack a question, and he didn't listen to or answer her question. Atticus later talks to him and says, “ When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don't make a production out of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles ‘em (116). Atticus wants uncle Jack to answer Scout because sheltering them can't help them in the long run. If a parent shelters their child from the truth, it can hurt them because they won't know what to believe. It can just confuse them, or they can see right through the lie. The children went to the trial and later learned what it was, but it wouldn’t have hurt to know any earlier. Telling the truth is the most beneficial way because even if it could hurt them, it can be better than a lie. Atticus is a good parent that teaches his children helpful lessons for their