Indentifying Yourself Through Family

Family plays an important part in forming some ones identity. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Color Of Water by James McBride both Scout and James, respectively, show examples of how family shapes a person’s identity. Scout forms her identity through her father’s lenient rules and the morals he instilled in her. James forms his own identity through the lack of knowledge of his mothers’ background and his family being different. Family morals and values contribute to a person’s identity through their family background. Scout and James both use their family morals and values to help shape their identity. In To Kill a Mockingbird Scouts rebellious attitude gradually changed as her father, Atticus Finch, instilled moral values into her. “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a person until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them”(Lee, 374). Scout comprehended her father’s life lessons. James, in The Color Of Water found his identity by finding his mother’s background. “It took many years to find out who she was, partly because I never knew who I was”(McBride, 261). James couldn’t find his identity because his mother never told him who she was. Scout and James both find their own identities though their families’ identities and the morals and values that were instilled in them.
Scout Finch struggles to find her identity because her family is different then most families during the time. Scouts father was lenient with her, which caused Scout to mature faster. Many doubted Atticus’ parenting skills but in the end Scout matured into a respected young women. Atticus believes “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). Atticus gives Scout the basic rules and morals and lets her fail and learn on her own. Atticus knows Scout “Doesn’t come