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The women in a young girl's life can have a tremendous affect on how that girl turns out. For example, in Scout's life she has three people in her life that that teach three different things. There is a caretaker, a supporter, and a teacher. These people are Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandre, respectively. From Calpurnia, she learns discipline, from Miss Maudie, and from Aunt Alexandre she is taught how to behave properly. While she doesn't have a mother, there are some very strong feminine presences in her life. Calpurnia being the main influence in her life.
Calpurnia was the motherly influence in Scouts life. "She was all angles and bones; she was nearsighted; she squinted; her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard." (Lee, 3) She was a very imposing presence in scouts life. Scout respected, and slightly feared her, which is what all great mothers strive to achieve. She laid down the law to Scout and gave discipline how she saw fit. "Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side." (Lee, 3) She was unwilling to take anything from Scout. She knew what was right and stood by that. "She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember." (Lee, 3) While Scout makes it sound more dramatic, Calpurnia had always been there to take care of her and Jem. Even though Scout makes her sound evil, Calpurnia really does love and care for Atticus's kids. "It was not often that she made crackling bread, she said she never had time, but with both of us at school today had been an easy one for her. She knew I loved crackling bread. 'I missed you today,' she said." (Lee, 15)
Clearly, Calpurnia has a hidden soft spot ...

... middle of paper ...

...re her vast back lot, terms so generous we seldom spoke to her, so careful were we to preserve the delicate balance of our relationship, but Jem and Dill drove me closer to her with their behavior." (Lee, 22) Miss Maudie was kind, and someone Scout could talk to about anything. She was the only woman to never really question how she behaved.
Many young girls grow up without a feminine influence. Without a mother, you would think Scout would be the same. However, there are three major feminine influences, Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Aunt Alexandre, and many more minor ones that have impacted her life. Another specific influence is Miss Caroline. Each of these people helps her grow and develop into a woman. When one looks at these relationships, you can figure out why both sides do what they do. It shows that a single person can have a profound influence on another.

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