Jean Louise 's Social Status Essay

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1) Having responsibility and high expectations, being a member of the Finch family grants you more freedom and privileges than other families do not have. Being a Finch sets the bar high in the southern town of Maycomb, who are noted to have social guidelines and being civil. We see these high standards throughout the book when Jean-Louise’s Aunt Alexandra fortifies the importance of dressing properly. “Her aunt sniffed. ‘I do wish you 'd try to dress better while you 're home. Folks in town get the wrong impression of you. They think you are—ah—slumming.’ Jean-Louise had a sinking feeling” (21). Aunt Alexandra is worried about Jean-Louise’s social figure, she is concerned that Jean-Louise will destroy the strong reputation the family holds. To emphasize the Finch’s social status, Aunt Alexandra is strongly against Jean-Louise to marrying Henry Clinton, who is not as well-mannered as the Finch’s are. “We Finches do not marry the children of rednecked white trash, which is exactly what Henry’s parents were when they were born and were all their lives” (36). Through Aunt Alexandra’s eyes, marrying Henry Clinton would ruin the years of respect the family has obtained. Lastly, being a Finch earns you great freedom and privilege. We see the freedom the Finches have in chapter 16 when Jean-Louise saw Atticus and Henry at a council meeting. “ ‘I Mean there are some things I simply can 't do that you can.’ "And why am I such a privileged character?" ‘You 're a Finch’ So you can
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