It is well known that children need parents in order to develop emotionally, intellectually, and morally. Parents provide children with guidance and care that will continue to influence them long after they leave childhood. As a result, it is always hard for those who lose a biological parent. However, others may step in as parental figures. This is the case in To Kill A Mockingbird; Calpurnia acts in the absence of Scout and Jem’s mother. Calpurnia is a strong motherly figure towards Scout and Jem. The children thrive under Calpurnia’s care, her unwavering commitment, and her valuable discipline. Calpurnia cares for Scout and Jem as if they were her own. Although Calpurnia may seem stern, she always disciplines the children with the best of intentions. For example, after Scout (Lee 24). This display of tough love is evidence of Calpurnia’s care for Scout’s upbringing. Second, Calpurnia supports the children emotionally. For example, when Scout is upset …show more content…
For example, when she faces backlash for bringing Scout and Jem to First Purchase African M.E. Church (Lee 119), she defends the children and herself. Even in the face of their differences in society, Calpurnia continues to treat the children like family. Second, despite the fact that Aunt Alexandra degrades and looks down on Calpurnia’s role in the Finch family (Lee 136), Calpurnia does not change her attitude towards Scout and Jem. Her dedication to the family does not waver under judgement of her role. Lastly, Atticus defends Calpurnia when Aunt Alexandra questions her role in the household, saying “(...) I couldn’t have got along without her all these years. She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are (...)” (Lee 137). His faith in Calpurnia is a result of Calpurnia’s proven loyalty to the family. As such, Calpurnia’s steadfast dedication is like that of a mother’s; she provides a constant and reliable source of stability for Scout and
Mothering is the action of putting one’s child before herself, and preparing their child with the appropriate requisites, such as knowledge, they need in order to be successful human being. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout have been living without a mother for most of their lives; however, the two had a motherly figure in their household while growing up. Besides their father, Atticus, Calpurnia, the Finch’s cook and maid, has helped raise Jem and Scout since their mother’s death four years prior to when the book started. She is very loyal to the Finch's; Atticus sees her as part of the family. Throughout the course of the book, Calpurnia has been a substantial motherly figure towards Jem and specifically
By utilizing character foil between Aunt Alexandra and Atticus, Lee was able to illustrate a contrast within the white society. In order to show how a typical white person would behave during that time, Lee introduces Aunt Alexandra to portray how most white people would act in Maycomb. “You all were coming back from Calpurnia’s church that Sunday? (Lee, 1960, p. 222)” This quote exemplifies how Aunt Alexandra is always discriminated against black people. She was shocked to hear about Jem and Scout going to black church with Calpurnia. While Calpurnia is portrayed as a well-mannered person who acts like a mother to Scout and Jem in this novel, Aunt Alexandra looks down on Calpurnia, because she was born with different skin color. In response to Calpurnia’s action, she told Atticus, “...you’ve got to do something about her... (Lee, 1960, p.224)” to discrete herself and to prevent Calpurnia from being in the same social class as her. While Aunt Alexandra symbolizes as a racial prejudice in this novel, Atticus is one of the characters that represents both a...
Calpurnia is the Finch housekeeper. However, she is much more to the family. She acts as a mother figure to Jem and Scout as she practically raised them after their mother’s death when Scout was two years old. Along with Miss Maudie, Calpurnia is a strong, positive female influence in Jem and in Scout’s life. She is corresponding to Atticus in her lessons of politeness and compassion. For example, when Walter came home for dinner, and proceeded to pour maple syrup all over his meal, Scout made fun of him to the point of total embarrassment. Calpurnia told Scout, “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us,” she whispered fiercely,” but you ain’t called on to contradict’em at the table when they don’t. That boy’s yo’ comp’ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?” “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s a Cunningham- ““Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunningham’s but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em – if you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!” Calpurnia sent me through the swinging door to the dining room with a stinging smack.” (Lee, page 26-29). Calpurnia’s moral lesson here is to respect
The novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, is an American classic, narrated by the young Scout Finch, the most engrossing character in the book. The novel is about the adventures of two siblings over the time of about three years. Jem and Jean Louise (Scout) Finch were two young siblings who one day met another young boy named Dill. Over time, Jem and Scout grow up under the careful watch of their father and friends, learning how to be adults. They play games, they sneak into a courthouse, and they learn a valuable life lesson. Scout was an intriguing character. As the narrator, you learn more about Scout’s feelings towards the events in the book and soon learn to love her. Let me introduce you to Scout Finch.
“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). [1]Mockingbirds are the most innocent type of bird and cannot defend themselves. [3] Occasionally people tried to mess with Boo Radly, who was a mockingbird because he was in his house defenseless. [5] While Tom Robertson was being tried and in prison he was an undeniably mockingbird. [4] Hurting Jem, Bob Ewell was punishing an innocient kid, who was defenseless. [2] Despite being a man, Bob Ewell, who is showed to be a blue jay, blue jays are birds that no one likes. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.”(119)[6] Mockingbirds don’t hurt anyone. [1] Boo Radly and Tom Robertson are mockingbirds
He lets Calpurnia, a black woman, take care and act as a mother to his. children. They are all children. This, though, is not really seen by the people of Maycomb. To the people of Maycomb, Calpurnia is merely a housekeeper; but she's.
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, there is an abundance of minor characters. Three of these characters, Dill, Alexandra, and Calpurnia are especially significant because of the influence they had on Scout.
Keeping a mouth shut doesn't hold the world shut out, it opens up new doors to things that would never be expected. In To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there is are two character that is are an eternal mystery for the readers. Boo Radley, though the reader nor Scout and Jem know anything about the character all they want is to learn about him. Boo becomes a mysterious figure that many see as creepy, ghostly, but also reasonably wise. The one-time Boo appears the readers learn he is a sagacious, powerful man. Little do Scout and Jem know is that their father is also a rational being as well. The two crucial character in the story helps support the
Loyalty and honor are key to building good relationships. Calpurnia is a prime example of that. Ever since she took over the job of being the housekeeper for the Finches, she has provided nothing but her services, care and, devotion. Calpurnia has taken care of and protected the Finches for a long time. As shown here, she sticks up for Jem and Scout,”I agreed: they did not want us here....
The author George Elliot once said “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Appearance can be very misleading, and you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. This philosophical idea has been included in many works of literature, including the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Many citizens of Maycomb tend to make judgements based on outward appearances alone. In the novel, Lee uses minor characters such as Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson to convey the book’s theme of prejudice.
Calpurnia realizes Scout needs comfort, after a rough day at school. Doing what one loves, can help them forgot about the misfortunes they face. Calpurnia shows an act of kindness, by making Scout crackling bread. Crackling bread is one of Scouts favourite food. Having the food she loves, can help her forget the negativity that she experienced at school. When one faces a dire situation, others shall show benevolence towards them. Moreover, Atticus goes out to the front porch with Scout, and finds out she wants to drop out of school. Atticus sits and thinks: “He [Atticus] waited in amiable silence, sought to reinforce my [Scout] position” (Lee 39). The author uses auditory imagery to show the gracious silence Atticus is sitting through, while thinking. At times, it is the best idea for one to remain silent and ponder, before drawing a conclusion. Atticus cares for his daughter and wants her to continue learning. Atticus realizes that Scout had a difficult time at
Scout does not heed Atticus’ advice in Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird, as she continues to express her biased hatred for Calpurnia, and also openly contradicts Jem, without considering the perspectives to which they are taking. As stated by Harper Lee, “...Calpurnia’s tyranny, unfairness, and meddling in my business had faded to gentle grumbling of general disapproval (45)”. This quote expresses the many ways Scout thinks of Calpurnia, a great many of which as terrible and controlling. This biased description of Calpurnia shows how Scout is still unable to understand why Calpurnia consistently disciplines her, and from what standpoint she is doing so. Also stated by Lee, “Jem stamped his foot. “Don’t you know you’re not suppose to even
When Atticus takes Calpurnia to Tom Robinson's home, she has to sit in the back seat so as not to appear as Atticus's equal. She does not eat at the same table with the Finch family although she has been a part of it since Jem was two. She is clearly loved by the family but by no means is she their equal.
"Knowing is not understanding. There is a great difference between knowing and understanding: you can know a lot about something and not really understand it", once said by Charles Kettering. In the town of Maycomb, Scout, a girl who is a tomboy is surrounded by prejudice. As she grows up from an innocent girl, to understanding racism, isolation, and notices how unfair the community she lives in could be. In To Kill a Mocking Bird, Harper Lee informs the readers that growing up can teach you how understanding other people can make you a better person through symbolism, characterization, and dialogue.
Not even the Finches can escape the prejudice, shown by Aunt Alexandra declaring “We don’t need her” when referring to Calpurnia (156). Scout’s aunt displays her dislike for Calpurnia, even though Cal has taken care of the household and raised Atticus’s children. Alexandra’s bais