Best dads in literature!

The generous Mr. Bennett never questions his daughters for their clothing choices or judges them for their conversational skills, but rather wishes only for their happiness and for them to live life comfortably. When it comes to suitors, he also encourages them to follow their heart and decide for themselves and also advises them to be their true selves  when presenting themselves to potential suitors.

In an era where prejudice and racism was rampant, lawyer and single dad Atticus Finch educated his children Scout and Jem on walking in the shoes of the oppressed to understand their situation better as well as asking them to learn about racism and injustice in the world so that they can fearlessly stand up for themselves and others, even if it meant facing up to the status quo.

In EM Forster’s celebrated work, Mr. Emerson is a character who doesn’t follow societal norms of the 20th century. Instead he chooses to follow his heart and stay true to himself, a trait that he imparts onto Lucy Honeychurch who is besotted with his son George. Honeychurch in turn is inspired to also follow her heart and eventually opens up about her true feelings for George and also ditches societal expectations.

Cratchit works a thankless job for the miserly Scrooge in this Christmas classic by Charles Dickens just so that he can provide for his family. Despite living in poverty, he is an extremely protective and loving father to Tiny Tim and shares a beautiful bond with his family as well. In the end, he is also the one who helps to thaw old Scrooge’s cold heart. 

Simply named The Father in the novel by Cormac McCarthy, this character shields his son in a post apocalyptic world and the collapse of society, attempting to survive together in a barren wasteland with no hope in sight.

The jovial Arthur has a zest for life and a jokey demeanor that he imparts onto his equally mischievous children, especially the Weasley twins who are constantly pranking their mum. Apart from this mischief making nature, much like his wife Molly, he too is known to stand up for his kids and kin.

Thomas is incredibly close to his nine year old neurodivergent son Oskar and together they devise games and quests so that the father can understand his son better as well as grow an inseparable bond and to add to Oskar’s thirst for knowledge.