Who Is Calpurnia In To Kill A Mockingbird

Calpurnia often brushes off things the children ask her, because she knows that it isn’t her place, but if she was a true motherly figure she would explain things, like Miss Maudie. When Scout and Jem ask her about rape, her response was “It's somethin' you'll have to ask Mr. Finch about" (165). Miss Maudie, however, isn’t paid to anything, her actions come from her care for Scout and Jem. Miss Maudie helps them understand things about the world they live in, and helps prepare them for what is to come. Miss Maudie isn’t afraid to tell them what they need to hear, but she says it in a way Jem and Scout can perceive it on their

Calpurnia is pressured to meet the expectations set for both women and blacks in Maycomb society, and in many ways she does a good job at conforming to them. Calpurnia works as a nanny to Jem and Scout, which is a common job for black women. As the only adult woman in the household, Calpurnia,of course, keeps order on all things. She is an excellent cook and very strict towards Scout and Jem. Scout has a knack for getting in trouble, so she often complains about Calpurnia’s ‘tyrannical presence’. Despite this, readers often get a glance at Calpurnia’s maternal side. When Jem tells Scout to start acting like a girl, she flees to Cal for support. Although, she can’t give Scout much advice she is able to comfort her. “I just can’t help it if Mister Jem’s growin’ up. He’s gonna want to be off to himself a lot now, doin’ whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the

I am evaluating if Calpurnia is a better mother figure than Aunt Alexandra is to Scout. I believe that Calpurnia is a better mother for these reasons. She has always been there for them. Calpurnia has been there for Jem and Scout ever since their mother died. She thinks and treats the Finch children as if they are her own children.

Calpurnia was the kids’ nanny since their mother died. Cal was intellectual, well-spoken, disciplined, and always took the opportunity to teach them life lessons. Then there was Alexandra, the sister of Atticus and aunt of Jem and Scout. Alexandra differed in many ways from the rest of the Finches. She enjoyed gossiping, drinking, and dressing up.

Throughout their lives, Calpurnia constantly influences Jem’s and Scout’s learning; Calpurnia becomes the mother of the household, teaching rights and wrongs while being caring and

Calpurnia explains her understanding of different kinds of people. Calpurnia also sets an example for Scout by telling her what it means to be ladylike.

Atticus states as he and his sister were arguing "... I couldn't have got along without her all these years. She's a faithful member of this family..." (Lee 182). When Calpurnia gets Scout in trouble because of the syrup incident Atticus does not intervene in it. When he is gone he trusts her to look after Scout and Jem. He even allows her to take Scout and Jem to church. He respects her by trusting her with his

She was once confronted at her church when a woman snobbishly asked why two children of the opposite race came to a black church. Calpurnia said they had every right to go with the answer of saying we all worship the same God. (119). Another example is when Scout seems worried and alone when a gap in Jem’s behavior lead him to act up like a regular teenager. And Scout felt like their close relationship could fade away but Calpurnia reassured her saying that they can always play together too. Lee writes: ““Baby,” said Calpurnia, “… you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We’ll find lots of things to do in here.”” (115). In conclusion, Calpurnia not only defends the children but genuinely has compassion for the well-being of Jem and Scout, just like how a mother would.

Calpurnia played a very large role in Jem and Scout’s life. Not only is she the person who feeds them and dresses them but she also played a very motherly role. In the novel for example Calpurnia has to pull Scout aside when she was being rude towards her company.

The narrator states, “...She was always ordering me out the kitchen, asking me why I couldn’t behave as well as Jem when she knew he was older, and calling me home when I wasn’t ready to come...She had been with us since Jem was born. ”(Pg). Calpurnia has been there for the kids since scout was a baby and never left their side.

Towards Jem, we see instances in Calpurnia in which she almost seems soft. For example, after Jem wrecks Mrs. Dubose’s camellia, and the kids were skulking around, Calpurnia knew Jem was upset, and gave him a hot biscuit-and-butter. One may argue this is the beginning of a change in Calpurnia, but we may look at it as Cal just being a mom. One can refute the argument of change that Scout is just beginning to see the good side of her and why Cal does what she does. She has already gone through the phases with her own children, and know how it is herself growing up. In the middle of To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem is starting to grow up and is becoming a teenager. This is evident by Scout’s overwhelming frustration with Jem in the quote, “His maddening superiority was unbearable these days. He didn’t want to do anything but read and go off by himself.” (Lee 184) Calpurnia, being the experienced mother/caregiver she is, had seen that, and started giving Jem his space, and started calling him “Mister Jem”. Scout realizes Calpurnia is not as bad as she once thought. Scout realizes Calpurnia can be nice when given the chance.

An example of how Calpurnia disciplines Scout Finch is when she takes Scout into the kitchen after she complains that Walter

Calpurnia was the Finch’s African- american housekeeper. She played a huge role in the parenting of both Scout and Jem because Atticus was an only father. Calpurnia helped Scout become more ladylike at the end of the novel by teaching her proper manners and edict. Scout is a hardcore

Calpurnia helps Scout become more lady like by using manners and teaching her how to treat others. For example “ Yo folks might be better than the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothing the way you're disgracing them” (Lee 33) Calpurnia teaches Scout proper manners when she corrects scout for thinking that she is better than Walter Cunningham. Calpurnia Also teaches scout to be respectful. For example “ 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 tablecloth you let him, you hear?” (Lee 31). Calpurnia is like a mother figure to Scout and Jem. She taught scout proper manners and how to treat others with respect. Without Calpurnia Scout wouldn't act very lady like. In the example this is scout’s first lesson on being respectful to others who are different. Therefore without Calpurnia Scout wouldn’t learn how to respect and sympathize with others who are

“Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams 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 sit here and eat in the kitchen!” This is just one of the many examples Calpurnia sets for the children. Calpurnia is the Finch’s cook but she takes her role in the children’s life more seriously. She acts as parent; constantly teaching the kids lessons about life and race. She serves as a bridge for Jem and Scout between the white and black communities. Calpurnia could be the mother Jem and Scout never had because she is wise, caring, and patient with the kids.