"When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em” (Lee 116).

Scout punches her cousin, Francis after a rude comment made about Atticus. When Francis tells on Scout, Scout’s Uncle Jack spanks Scout without hearing her side of what happened. When Scout’s family goes back home, Jack shows up so he can make up with Scout. They do make up and Scout, being the curious kid she is, asks Uncle Jack “What’s a whore lady?” (Lee 115). He tells her a story about a Lord Melbourne, which makes no sense to Scout. Later when Jack tells Atticus about their conversation, Atticus tells Jack, “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em” (Lee 116).

            This quote fits in well with To Kill a Mockingbird’s theme of “being a kid is confusing”. Adults like Atticus think that it is okay to tell children correct answers to hard questions. Atticus is telling Jack not to lie or “beat around the bush” when answering a child’s questions. He knows that kids are curious and should be given correct answers. He also knows that kids can tell when they are being lied to or their question is being avoided. Based on avoiding Scout’s question, Jack is a different type of parent. He thinks kids should be sheltered from hard questions, even if they are curious about them. He is the opposite of Atticus when it comes to this issue.

            Lee made Atticus very opposite in his parenting than the rest of the family on purpose. For example, Atticus thinks kids should be told hard truths while Jack does not. Aunt Alexandra is a very proper woman who tells Scout to be more lady-like and proper also. The children reflect these different types of behaviors. For example, Francis, Aunt Alexandra's grandson, seems to be boring and quiet. He seems to be the opposite of Scout is loud and full of things to say. Atticus lets Scout be herself to an extent without too much ruling over her. When Francis says some very nasty things to Scout I think that is caused by making him sit still and quiet in front of others, and it makes him lash out to Scout when he sees how free she is allowed to be.  

            I think by making Atticus a father that wants to let his children figure things out themselves makes the reader appreciate what he does more. As a single father he is doing the best he is able to, and instilling his own character traits into his kids. Atticus says what he thinks and he wants his kids to do the same.