Family on Film - Movie Review Example

Think about what we value in our culture in terms of fathers. Choose one characteristic of an ideal father and explain how it is, or is not, illustrated by Atticus and Antonio. In our culture, fathers are perceived as role models. They are the ones we look up to, they are our standard, benchmark, and anchor in how we define and perceive the world. I believe that an ideal father should be the best possible role model for his child in all aspect of life. This concept of a positive role model is best illustrated by Atticus in “To Kill a Mockingbird.

” He was setting a good example for his children, particularly to his daughter Scout. Atticus is a lawyer who does not bend his ideals and principles. Though everyone was discouraging him to defend a black man—because he is already guilty by the mere color of his skin, he was determined to prove the innocence of Tom. Although it was a very unpopular decision, a white man defending a black man accused of raping a white woman, Atticus stuck by his principles; undeterred by the social pressures caused by his unpopular decision.

Although he successfully defended Tom and proved his innocence yet lost the case, his social defiance sent a very powerful message to his children. Unlike Atticus, Antonio of “The Bicycle Thief” was someone who wanted to stay true to his principles but failed to do so due to social pressures. Like Atticus and all decent fathers, Antonio also wanted to provide for his family to the best of his capacity. That is why the bicycle is symbolic in so many ways—income, dreams, hope, escape, and security among others.

But because Antonio was hard-pressed in all possible ways, he no longer could stand-by his morals. In the end, he opted to steal a bike, and ended up embarrassing himself not just in front of the whole community, but in front of his son.