he grinned, then laughed
Atticus reacts by trying to shield his children from the racist implications of the snowman resembling Mr. Avery. He sees it as an opportunity to teach his children about empathy and understanding, rather than perpetuating stereotypes and prejudice.
They don't actually get in trouble. Atticus just makes them put a hat on it because it looks exactly like Mr. Avery.
Jem's goal for the snowman is to build a realistic representation of Mr. Avery, a neighbor, while Atticus's goal is to provide his children with a valuable lesson in empathy and understanding. Jem focuses on the physical appearance and details of the snowman, while Atticus prioritizes the underlying message and teaching moment for Scout and Jem.
In Chapter 8 of "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus criticizes Jem for destroying Mrs. Dubose's camellia bushes in a fit of anger. Atticus teaches Jem the importance of controlling his emotions and behaving responsibly, even when faced with provocation.
Mr. Avery says that bad children cause cold weather. This is ironic because Jem and Scout's reaction to the snow is one of excitement and joy, demonstrating their innocence and goodness.
It looked like Mr. Avery, the guy who blamed them for always changing the weather. Yes because it is a snowman.
Jem's snowman creation is unacceptable because it resembles a racist caricature of a black person, known as a "snowman with tilted eyes" in the book. Atticus and Miss Maudie are both morally conscious individuals who are against racism and discrimination, and they recognize the harm and offensiveness of such a depiction. They understand the implications of perpetuating racial stereotypes, especially in a town still grappling with racial tensions.
For the first time in years, Maycomb endures a real winter. There is even light snowfall, an event rare enough for school to be closed. Jem and Scout haul as much snow as they could from Miss Maudie’s yard to their own. Since there is not enough snow to make a real snowman, they build a small figure out of dirt and cover it with snow. They make it look like Mr. Avery, an unpleasant man who lives down the street. The figure’s likeness to Mr. Avery is so strong that Atticus demands that they disguise it. Jem places Miss Maudie’s sunhat on its head and sticks her hedge clippers in its hands, much to her chagrin.
Miss Maudie responds by saying that Atticus is the same in his house as he is on his lawn, indicating that he stands by his beliefs regardless of public opinion. Atticus tells Jem that he doesn't believe in holding grudges, emphasizing forgiveness and understanding as important values.
Jem constructs his snowman using dirt and snow, shaping it to resemble someone sitting down. Atticus compliments Jem by saying that the snowman looks just like Mr. Avery sitting in his chair when asleep in the sun.
Jem constructs his snowman by packing snow and shaping it into a realistic figure. Atticus compliments him by saying his snowman resembles Mr. Avery. He praises Jem for his attention to detail and skill in creating a lifelike image.
Its when Jem builds the snowman and replicates Mr Avery. Then Atticus says that to him. I think its because Jem has showed signs in the past that he wants to do what Atticus does; law, not sure about engineer and portrait painter as Jem has shown that he is artistic when he builds the snowman. Actually I think he says engineer as its something completely different from the other 2 jobs he mentions, which exaggerates the diversity of Jem's future.