In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
in Chapter 1 on the evening of the first day of school, Scout mentions to Atticus that
if she keeps going to school, "we can't ever read any more...." In response to this
statement, Atticus asks Scout if she knows what a compromise is, and suggests that they
compromise by mutually agreeing to read every night "just as we always have." But, as
Scout goes out the front screen door, her father suggests that she not say anything at
school about their agreement. In other words, what Miss Caroline does not know will not
hurt her.
This lesson of reticence in the appropriate
situation is certainly one that a good lawyer knows. As a loving and tolerant man and
father as well as a competent lawyer, Atticus Finch imparts many such lessons to his
daughter.
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