Calipurnia Research Paper

Calpurnia, or “Cal”, was the Finch’s African-American housekeeper and cook. Her being a black, middle-aged woman in a white dominated society, we can already infer she has experienced great racial injustices. Throughout the novel, we see significant and noticeable changes in the main characters, but little development in Calpurnia´s character. Before you discard this essay on what was supposed to be about a chosen character changing due to social and racial injustices throughout the book, give the thesis some thought. Scout is the narrator of the book, therefore we are seeing changes through her point of view; so we only see Calpurnia changing through the eyes of Scout, but they were not in actuality

On the other hand, Aunt Alexandra faced a different but common obstacle, prejudice. Since prejudice was ubiquitous, Aunt Alexandra demonstrated maturity when she became more accepting of others especially Calpurnia, Boo and Scout. Aunt Alexandra, Scout and Jem’s caretaker, had some difficulties interacting and talking around people who were a different race or a lower social or economic class. When Aunt Alexandra first met Calpurnia, the African-American maid who worked in the Finch’s house, she despised her and all of her actions. No matter what Calpurnia did or what she said, she could not please Aunt Alexandra. However, later on in the novel, Aunt Alexandra developed a more accepting attitude towards Calpurnia. She allowed Calpurnia to serve the children dinner. This shows how much Aunt Alexandra has grown to be more accepting of other races and not be prejudice. Not only does Aunt Alexandra accept Calpurnia for who she is, but she also learns to accept Scout. “She brought me something to put on, and had I thought about it then, I would have never let her forget it: in her distraction, Aunty brought me my overalls” (Pg.264).

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

"It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not ladylike -in the second place, folks don't like to have someone around knowin' more than they do. It aggravates 'em. You're not gonna change any of them by talkin' right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.'" (Lee 126) It is clear that Calipurnia has an understanding of different kinds of people. The fact that she talks proper in the Finch home proves that she has class and respect for them. In addition, she also shows respect for the people at her church by talking like they do. She also sets an example for Scout by telling her what is ladylike.

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

“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.

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.

Mrs. Alexandra, from my understanding, a good parent is one who creates a safe nurturing environment for a child to grow up in, displays characteristics of a positive role model, and is an active part of a child’s life. (Atticus, look at Scout and Jem affectionately ) Good parents provide moral guidance, sets limitations, and implements consequences for a child’s behavior. (Atticus, use a ruler and slap it in your hand looking at Scout and Jem symbolizing a Spanking as punishment) Atticus is a very effective parent to Scout and Jem. I know he is constantly working; but rest assured, his children are his primary concern and he loves them very much. (Atticus, hug Scout and Jem or do something showing your love <3) Atticus finds time for his

Calpurnia is an African American who is just a few more years older than Atticus. Compared to many other African Americans in Maycomb she is very literate. When she is around the Finch family she talks normally, but when she is around other African Americans she talks like them. She was described as skinny and frail and was said to be bossy. One thing she did was take the kids to the colored peoples  church where they got to see what it was like. Just because you aren’t related by blood, it doesn't mean you aren’t family. Alexandra tries to get Calpurnia out of the house, but Atticus ends up saying, ”She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are.”(Lee 182). Even though Calpurnia is not a blood relative of the finches they still consider her as family.

I think Calpurnia is a good mother figure because the kids appreciate her more, and their love for her is stronger. I think that is most important. As Alexandria comes in she is super awkward, does not know how to make a good conversation. Scout starts to notice that especially. If you cannot talk to your supposedly mother figure, then what is the point. Atticus says how she needs more feminine around the house saying she is getting older so she needs advice on clothes and boys. With Alexandria I feel scout will not get that. They mention how Alexandria fits in to Maycomb really well, but does not fit in with Scout and Jem. Now Calpurnia the kids were always exited to see her, as with Alexandria they did not want her to live with them. Alexandria thinks Calpurnia is too harsh on the children, but kids need discipline sometimes. In the end they always say how they need Calpurnia, so it is an obvious Calpurnia is the mother figure Scout and Jem

“Calpurnia was something else again. She was all angles and bones; she was nearsighted; she squinted; her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard.” (Pg 6) This is how Jean Louise “Scout” Finch describes Calpurnia, a black woman who serves as the Finch family cook and maid in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Although Calpurnia is employed by a high social class family she is still considered to be at the bottom of that social hierarchy because of her African-American descent. The Finches believe Calpurnia to be a valuable part of their family because she is a very hard working individual, she’s very motherly to the Finch children and she is an educated and intellectual black woman.

He shows this by the way he listens to both Scout and Jem. He is also understanding of Scout's temper when she gets in a fight with Cecil Jacobs because he knows she meant no harm but he does not support that kind of behavior. He knows how Scout is so he understands that it takes for someone to really get her mad for her to fight. He is also had to be understanding of the way that the Cunningham's pay him back. Walter said "Mr. Finch, I don't know when I'll ever be able to pay you" (Lee 27). Atticus says "Let that be the least of your worries, Walter" (Lee 27). The Cunninghams are poor and so they could only pay with walnuts. Atticus understood their poverty and did not complain about it.

One of the more “accepted” sorts of racism in the 1930’s was in the home. Many families had African American housekeepers, and the Finch’s were one of those families. When Aunt Alexandra moved in, she created some turbulence with Calpurnia. When Atticus was talking about how a man despised

In Chapter 16 of “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” the darwin states “Although some species may be now increasing, more or less rapidly, in numbers, all cannot do so, for the world would not hold them.” This darwin tells the readers that everything is growing so fast and there is nothing anybody can do about it. By the name of the chapter, everybody knows what Jacqueline Kelly means. Technology is going to overtake all the humans one day. “ Change is coming” Callie said, and she is right.

What defines a good parent? Who defines a good parenting style? Society, through parenting books and magazines, has discussed this at length, and there are obviously varied opinions. There are certain attributes that are generally used consistently to define a good parenting style. It is not discipline or respect, but the characteristics that stand out for a good parent are trust, love, listening and understanding. Love gives confidence and makes people what they want to be. In Harper Lee’s book “To Kill a Mockingbird”, these key attributes are used to define the parenting style of Atticus, the father of the 2 children, Jem and Scout. I believe that the author has defined a good parent as someone who loves his/her children unconditionally, communicates openly with them, someone who is there for them, some one who teaches good morals and values, and someone who shows them right from wrong. Harper Lee has intelligently demonstrated these characteristics by contrasting the parenting styles of Atticus (the good parent) vs. Bob Ewell, who plays the role of the antagonist in the book, and is portrayed as a bad parent. Both of these men are single parents, and the book therefore does not have much opportunity to view the role of the mother in the upbringing of the children. To illustrate this, the author has cleverly used the examples of 2 women, Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra, to share her thoughts on the importance of a woman’s role in a child’s life. Though these women