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Calpurnia is the woman we all see as the mother figure at the Finches house. At the beginning of the book the narrator (scout) shows off Calpurnia as a strict but caring woman, who was always there for the kids. As we get to the point of her confrontation with Lula, we learn more about the character. Harper lee uses dialogue to portray Calpurnia with a split personality and also not being prejudiced.…
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Calpurnia’s most kindly asset, though, is her ability to understand other people. Sometimes, from Scout’s point of view, the family cook seemed to have a sixth sense. “Perhaps Calpurnia sensed that my day had been a grim one: she let me watch her fix supper”(38). Knowing that Scout’s day had been rough, Calpurnia, with her mother-like tenderness, tried to console her the best way she knew how. Calpurnia also understood the children’s problems with each other. When Scout and Jem started to not get along as well, Calpurnia understood and was kinder to both of…
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Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra’s beliefs are a major cause of conflict throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This conflict is not only between Calpurnia, Atticus Finch's’ housekeeper, and Alexandra, Atticus Finch’s sister and the aunt of his children. Furthermore, their moral differences create conflict between themselves and other characters involved in the plot. However, these two important characters aren’t only different. Calpurnia and Alexandra have many similarities, as well. Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra have similarities and differences in their moral beliefs, their role in the Finch house, and their character traits.…
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The most important lesson that the children, particularly Scout, learn is to never judge a person before you know them, something that can definitely be applied to our own lives as well. This is enunciated through the example of Walter Cunningham, who dines at the Finch’s house, following an invitation from Jem after discovering Walter did not have lunch. After witnessing Walter drench his lunch in molasses, Scout expresses her disapproval. As Scout is reprimanded in the kitchen, Calpurnia states that "Company gets treated politely no matter who they are". This is a fundamental teaching for Scout, as she realises that indeed all people deserve equality and justice. This is further emphasised through the fact that Calpurnia is an African American…
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Calpurnia shows the significance of perspective to both Scout and Jem through her actions with both a young child and an adult. One afternoon, Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner and Scout makes fun of him for pouring syrup on his food. Calpurnia takes Scout aside and scolds her for being rude. Calpurnia says, “There’s some folks who don’t eat like us, but you are ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t” (Lee 24). Calpurnia tells Scout not to make fun of people who behave differently. Calpurnia knows that Scout has a higher standard…
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At the beginning of the novel, Scout turns out to be very rude and stubborn. She couldn’t tell who company was and who company wasn’t. She tells Calpurnia that “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham” (18) before she is cut off and told that anyone that steps inside the house is company. Even after Calpurnia’s words, she didn’t listen. This adds to her being stubborn. She argued with her teacher 3 times on the first day of school. Miss Caroline had a completely bad day thanks to Scout. Miss Caroline said “You’re starting off on the wrong foot in every way, my dear. Hold out your hand” (16). Her lesson came from Atticus only.…
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Calpurnia’s characters towards the children make them close to her. She is a loving and caring person. In this novel, Calpurnia’s loving character makes the children comfortable with her. Their mother died when Scout was only two and Jem was four years older than her. Therefore, they are lack of mother’s love. As the nanny for the children, she treats them like her own children. She really takes care…
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On page 125 there was a racist conversation between Jem, Scout and Calpurnia. Jem asked Calpurnia why she talked like the rest of the other colored people while in church. Calpurnia started to explain that it’s the right thing to do even though she knows how to talk like…
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In the event that she made a remark about Walter, it not only affected Walter himself but to Atticus and Calpurnia. With Scout’s intention, she obviously did not know how people would react to her comment. To put in another way, think before you speak. “Atticus shook his head at me again. But he’s gone and drowned his dinner, I protested. He’s poured it all over-”, I was then that Calpurnia requested my presence in the kitchen” (32). Significantly speaking, Atticus disapproved of what Scout was saying easily to be heard making Calpurnia eavesdropped and demanded her to come in the kitchen. It was then, Scout realizes that she had done something inappropriate to make her father, Atticus Finch not react the way she wanted him to…
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I believe in judging someone by their actions and character rather than by the color of their skin and sexuality. This I believe because there is good and bad in all of us. The color of our skin does not depict the flaws we have. In the second amendment it states that all men are created equal, but we still do not treat each other equally. Defending Tom Robinson was not easy because I knew that from the minute Mayella opened her mouth Tom was a dead man. But everyone including a black man deserves a second chance. How could I ever tell my own children “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” if I didn’t pick up Tom’s case because I was afraid of what people would think of me. When people say things about me like “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” why would I prove them wrong? You are only as good as you portray yourself to be. But when you are a black man in the town of Maycomb, Alabama you were never dealt the good hand to begin with. Sadly Tom never got a second chance. Tom was a good man but because of the color of his skin he was not treated as fairly as the rest of us.…
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Most people never realise that their most hated enemy could easily be their closest friend. In part 1 of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird the narrator, scout, recounts the events of her childhood. Whether it be a house fire, a mysterious neighbor, or an obstinate old woman, scouts adolescent years can be called anything but drab. That does not ,in anyway, exclude the people in her life and how they affect her. Atticus Finch and Calpurnia both have a massive impact on scout's life, perspective, and personality.…
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Jem and Scout’s visit to Calpurnia’s church teaches them a lot about varying ways of life. It shows them that Calpurnia truly lives a life outside of caring for…
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Miss Maudie is a laid-back woman who has been around for quite a while. She understands what it can be like as a young girl growing up and learning about the world around her. This helps Scout immensely as it gives her someone to turn to. It also helps her learn things from more reliable sources than her friends. For example, when she asks about Boo Radley, Miss Maudie responds, “His name’s Arthur and he’s alive” (Lee 57), with the reasoning that, “he’s alive… because I haven’t seen him carried out yet” (Lee 57). Calpurnia is also a mother figure that Scout has in her life to go to when times get rough. Though there is no blood relation between Scout and Cal, they are very close and grow even more so as the novel progresses. She gives Scout refuge in the kitchen when the boys won’t let her join their games. Kenneth Rubin states, “Friendship promotes the development of perspective taking and moral reasoning skills” (Rubin). At this point in Scout’s life, having good role models like Cal and Miss Maudie is a great benefit to her learning and developing ideas. They are both wise women and teach Scout things in their own ways; though she may not know it now, it impacts the rest of her…
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In the midst of one mild night, i was still, on the rocker seat out on the front porch. There was a a bit of dusky reflection from the upstairs windows. I could hear the crickets and their very soothing sounds to my ears, leaving me to reflect in utter peace. Sometimes, i go here every evening to have a moment to myself, taking pleasure in the serenity and hushed noises down the street. Nostalgia comes across my thoughts as I wonder of what it would have been like with Scout and Jem’s mother around. If only the children and I, especially Scout so that she could get a clear picture of her could see her one last time. As I paint her in my head, I remember how she was and am grateful. Her sweetness, beauty and devotion to justice as well as to the family were always visible, ever since i saw her for the first time, when i was first elected to the state legislature. It’s a pity you can’t find many good-hearted citizens like that these days in our small world.…
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I think Calpurnia is a better mother figure than Aunt Alexandra. Cal is a wonderful role model for the children. She spends a great deal of time with them, so she knows Jem and Scout very well. She knows how to handle their behavoir and can punish them acordingly. Cal lets the children grow up how they want, even if that means they are not a perfect lady or gentleman. She does however, have rules Jem and Scout must follow. They must show good manners both at home and in public. They go to church, whether it be their own or hers. At church as well as outside, they are to dress nicely. Cal also makes sure her children are kind to others. Aunt Alexandra is nearly the opposite of Calpurnia. She is extremely demanding of the children. She attempts…
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