How would children in society act without a mother? A mother's role in her children’s life is not easy and that it why single men need help from women. Within Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird Calpurnia delivered a piece of motherhood to Scout and Jem because of the morals and lessons they were taught by her. Jem and Scout lost their mother when they were two years old, and they needed someone to take on the role of their mother. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra both played a part of their mother as well, but did not have the same impact on the children as Calpurnia did. Calpurnia acted as a disciplinary mother throughout the novel because of the lessons and morals she taught the finch children. Throughout the novel Scout made bad decisions, …show more content…
An example of this is, when Walter Cunningham came over for dinner and Scout said,”what in the sam hill is he doing”(Lee 24). Scout said this because Walter was pouring syrup all over his food and she was confused. After Scout said this Calpurnia asked her to go into the kitchen. In the kitchen Calpurnia said,”Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin’ ‘em”(Lee 24-25). Calpurnia is expressing to Scout the way she acted was unacceptable and not polite. This shows Calpurnia being a successful mother to Scout because she is explaining to her that this behavior is not tolerable from a lady. Atticus even expresses from time to time on how grateful he is to have Calpurnia in his house. This is shown when Aunt Alexandra is arguing with Atticus and Atticus said, “she’s been harder on them in some …show more content…
She’s a faithful member of this family”(Lee 137). Atticus goes to point out that she is member of the family. This shows the impact Calpurnia has had on the children. Jem would not have been the boy he is without Calpurnia; because he would not have anyone to discipline him or watch over him while Atticus is at work. There are various examples within the novel when Calpurnia is teaching a lesson to Jem. One is, when Calpurnia took them to her church and said to Lula, “It’s the same God, ain’t it?”(Lee 119). Calpurnia said this to Lula because Lula was questioning why white children were at their all black church. The lesson Jem was taught is to stand up for yourself. Not only is motherhood shown here for teaching Jem a lesson but also for the fact that Calpurnia stood up for him. A mother who cares for their children will stand up for them when someone tries to come at them with words. The whole novel presented examples of how Calpurnia acted as a mother to Jem and Scout and also how appreciative Atticus was of it. The children would not have been raised the same way without
Throughout all those years as the kids were growing up, Calpurnia has shown and given an immense amount of love and support towards the children, just as a mother or a motherly figure should. Atticus sees her as a faithful member of the family, and he refused of letting her go when Aunt Alexandra suggested firing her. In addition, Atticus trusts Calpurnia with the children; he trusts that she will look after them and cook them food when he is not able to. Calpurnia and Scout have grown closer as Scout grew up because often times Jem would exclude her. For instance, when Jem became close to his teenage years, he would act out often and tell Scout what to do. Scout burst into tears after one argument where Jem told her that she ought to start acting more like a girl. As a result, she fled to Calpurnia, where she offered to keep Scout company whenever she needed: “...so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome” (131). Also, Scout stated how Calpurnia seemed glad when she appeared in the kitchen. This shows how Calpurnia is always loving and supportive when Scout needs a shoulder to cry on, and how Calpurnia cheers Scout up when she’s not having the best of days. Besides from making Scout and Jem meals everyday, Calpurnia demonstrates exceptional mothering towards Scout on a daily
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...
The main section of Scout’s heroic acts is when she walks Arthur Radley home. This is a major part in the novel because prior to this Maycomb thought Arthur was a freak and a Murderer. For Scout to have the courage to befriend Radley is a massive step in the right direction. In this scene Scout risked a couple of things which proves her heroism. She risked her reputation which is the big one. Because she walked ‘Boo’ home, there was no doubt that she was being judged by the people of Maycomb. Throughout the novel we see Scout’s character change from a feisty, aggressive and judgy girl to a kind, open minded, less aggressive girl. There are numerous people and some experiences that took part in Scout’s change. But there is one lady that did Scout a whole lot of good, her name is Calpurnia. Calpurnia is a coloured woman and she is the Finch’s housekeeper. Throughout the novel there are different examples where Calpurnia has picked up on Scout’s behaviour at school or just in the town. This i first brought to the reader's attention when Calpurnia lectures Scout on the way she treats Mr. Cunningham jr. Scout would pick on his eating habits and she even got in a fight with him at school. Swiftly afterwards Calpurnia pulls Scout into the kitchen and gives her a stern talking to. During the narrative through
Growing up in Maycomb In the famous novel To Kill a Mockingbird, there are three main themes: Growing up in Maycomb, Racism, and Courage. In chapter one through ten, it talks about Jem and Scout spending every summer with Dill, it also talks about how Jem grew closer to Dill and started to leave Scout out of their activities. On page six of the novel , Growing up in Maycomb they believe that there was ”Nothing to fear but fear itself’. Maycomb was a town where you could sit on your porch with peace, and everyday door was open on Sunday Maycomb seemed to be hotter back then, people also moved slower then. Scout and Jem seemed to love growing up in Maycomb ( they had their down times) they seemed to have a decent life especially with a father like Atticus . Atticus was a straight forward man who did everything for his family. Atticus was a lawyer for the town ; for the most part loved him. He believes that everyone deserves and a fair chance , somehow he mad growing up in this small town easy for the kids. Calpurnia, the cook, also made growing up easy for the kids. Cal is a Negro woman that came to the house every day to cook and clean for the family .She plays a mother role in the novel. Jem and Scout’s
Jem learns that loyalty matters in relationships and throughout the book he uses that to grow as a person. He realizes he had done friends and family wrong when Scout said, “Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood. He went out of the room and down the hall. ‘Atticus’ his voice was distant, ‘can you come here for a minute, sir?’”(118). Jem confessed to Atticus while feeling he did the right
Scout initially lacks an understanding of her nanny Calpurnia; but after enduring a difficult experience, Scout learns who Calpurnia is and how she has helped her by being both a mother figure and a role model. Early in the novel, Calpurnia witnesses Scout criticizing the way her peer ate his lunch, and Calpurnia attempts to correct Scout’s poor behavior. Scout defends herself, leading to a heated argument. After the fight, Scout vows that, “when [Calpurnia] wasn’t looking [she]’d go off and drown [herself].” (25) At the outset, Scout is a typical self-centered child who is thoughtless as to how her actions impact others, especially those close to her, like Calpurnia.
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....
Jem and Scout are going to Calpurnia’s First Purchase church for the first time. Jem and Scout are the children of Atticus, a prominent white lawyer in Maycomb, and Calpurnia is their African American cook and nanny. Scout, the narrator, is describing her less-than-flattering view
Jem has grown up and has become more mature and Scout does not realize why he does not want to be around her anymore. Calpurnia tells Scout, “He’s gonna want to be off to himself a lot doin’ whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome” (154). Cal was trying to explain why Jem wanted Scout to leave him alone even if Scout does not want to. Calpurnia gave Scout an alternative to come into the kitchen if she ever felt lonely. Calpurnia taught Scout and Jem many things, but one of the main lesson was that all people are
When Aunt Alexandra first arrived at the Finch house, she took over as if she had been living there her whole life. When arriving home, Jem and Scout found her, “sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life.”(p. 168). From the very beginning, Aunt Alexandra felt she should be completely in charge. The first thing she said was, “‘Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,’” (p. 169). Aunt Alexandra treated Calpurnia as if Calpurnia was her servant. Aunt Alexandra was a strong influence within the Finches home, from the beginning. It did not do much of anything in the end, yet Jem and Scout saw a different side of their father, Atticus. “Atticus suddenly grew serious. In his lawyer’s voice, without a shade of affection, he said: ‘Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon [Jem] and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding−’”(p. 177). This may have been one of the first times that the children...
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
Why?’ ‘He didn’t have any lunch,’ I said, and explained my involvement in Walter’s dietary affairs” (27). Scout is also very mischievous and has a devious mentality towards Calpurnia. She describes Calpurnia as a tyrannical presence, and she does everything she can to get her out of the house. One time Scout does this is when Walter comes over to her house to eat dinner.
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.
The story “To Kill a Mockingbird” is about Scout Finch and her family and how they are affected throughout the court case of Tom Robinson. In chapters 12-15 of the novel Atticus is preparing for the court case of Tom Robinson. Aunt Alexandra also decided that she is going to stay with them for a while so she could give Scout and Jem a “feminine influence”. Jem and Scout go to church with Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra doesn’t like it. Dill shows up after running away from home because he says his parents aren’t paying enough attention to him. Aunt Alexandra tries to push Atticus into getting rid of Calpurnia but Atticus refuses. A group shows up outside their house and talk with Atticus. Atticus goes to Tom Robinson's cell and the kids follow.
These two clash throughout the film because of Calpurnia’s expectations of being a “lady” and how Scout takes “being a girl” as an insult. In one brief scene that is not included in the film, Jem, the brother, is angry about the court conviction and asks Atticus why “there are no good people like us and Miss Maudie”, the Finches’ neighbor that is on the jury instead.