How can I develop my thesis into a Grade 10 level 4 thesis? My thesis: Atticus is not a good parent.I need help on how to develop a thesis...

I hope you have plenty of good ideas and support for your thesis. I applaud you for undertaking this tough assignment, because Atticus is usually considered such a perfect role model as a man and attorney. Taking this approach is kind of like defending a man who has already admitted his crime: Your job has many obstacles. However, Atticus certainly has some deficiencies as a parent. Here are a few examples that come to mind, aside from his absence because of the trial.

• He does not marry, providing no feminine or motherly guidance to the children.


• He allows them to curse.


• He allows them to "run wild" around the neighborhood, giving them far more independence than most kids their age (and this also brings up the matter of their calling Atticus by his first name--more of a friend or big brother approach than a parental one, and certainly considered unusually informal for the time).


• His age, or his inclination not to participate, restricts him from many activities younger fathers would be able to enjoy with their children (playing football with Jem, for instance).


• He allows Scout to make the choice about whether to continue going to school. (Because Atticus never attended school himself, he may have considered it an unnecessary need for his own children.)


• He allows Scout to run around in overalls as her primary attire (and virtually encourages her tomboy pursuits).


• He is gone for long periods during the Alabama legistative sessions.


• He allows them to return for the remainder of the rape trial.


• He fails to accompany Jem and Scout after dark on the night of the Halloween pageant in spite of the knowledge of Bob Ewell's threats and his recent prowlings.


• His regard for the law seems to outweigh his parental obligations when he considers that Jem may not only be guilty of killing Ewell, but that he must face up to a possible murder charge. (Most parents would fight this possibility tooth and nail--regardless of guilt or innocence).


• By 1930s standards, allowing his kids to attend an African-American church would not have been considered wise parenting by a white man.