In Harper Lee’s novel, “To Kill A Mocking Bird” we see that maturation of some of the characters is clearly evident, particularly Scouts. We see this by the way she acts in front of Miss Maudie, Calpurnia and Mrs. Alexandra Finch.
Beside her father, Scout probably respects and likes the most is Miss Maudie. The two of them have a great relationship and they both love each other very deeply. When Scout first introduces us to Miss Maudie (in chapter 5), she tells us all the nicest things about her. She talks about how much she and Jem trusted Miss Maudie and what a good friend she was. They trusted her because "she never told on them, never played cat-and-mouse with them, and because she was not at all interested in their private
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On page 29, Scout tells us about her and Cal's conversation one day when Scout came back from school. Calpurnia said that she had missed Scout that day while she and Jem were at school. All of a sudden, Calpurnia was really nice to Scout. She let Scout watch her fix supper, she made crackling bread for her, and she even kissed her. Scout describes how she feels after all this behavior: "I ran along, wondering what had come over her. She had wanted to make up with me, that was it. She had always been too hard on me, she had at last seen the error of her fractious ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so." (pg. 29). This proves that Scout always thought that Calpurnia never liked her and that she didn't care about her, and that she deserves Cal's apology. Scout is deeply hurt when Calpurnia tells her that picking on Walter Cunningham while he eats at their place is rude and that Scout should stop that and never do it again. Here, Scout thinks that Calpurnia is being mean to her again, but when she grows up a little, she will be thankful to Calpurnia because she taught her about being polite and respectful to her guests. Because of all this, there is, however, a positive side to this relationship. Scout does respect Calpurnia, partly because she has to - she is her nanny and she takes care of her, and partly because she simply likes some of Cal's characteristics.
Calpurnia, Scouts cook and only mother figure, and takes care of Scout and Jem and cares for them like they are her own children. In the beginning of the book Scout is not fond of Calpurnia because “she was always ordering her around” (10). Scout often fights with Calpurnia and tries to irritate her. As Scout got a bit older, she begins to realize Calpurnia loves her like she is her child. Calpurnia sees the children as her own and once when she takes the kids to her church, she says she doesn't want anybody saying ‘’[she doesn't] take care of her children” (120). In her second summer Scout begins to turn to Calpurnia, for support advice, and love. Scout and Calpurnia ended up having
A significant adult influence in Scout's life was miss Maudie she would do anything for her and would let her use anything of hers for example scout said in the book “ jem and I had always enjoyed the free run of miss Maudie's yard if we kept out of her azaleas. She always helped them out no matter the case she was caring and supportive another example Scout was asking if Boo Radley was still alive to miss Maudie and Scout felt comfortable talking to her on the porch where he spent most of his time in the summer on the porch at twilight . also she when
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.
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the narrator and protagonist, Scout, grows not only physically and emotionally as well. Through experience, Scout undergoes emotional change, taking her from her child self, to her more developed self. In addition, Scout learns through observing others and learning that they are not who she believes to be. And although a great deal of Scout’s development can be credited toward her superiors who directly teach her, it is Scout herself who truly discovers what maturity is, and how its relation to morality makes the world.
As a child grows, many people influence their development as a person. Some people impact more than others, and a select few really leave their mark. In Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” several characters play this role. Among them, Miss Maudie Atkinson, a woman who proves herself a strong character, prevails as the one who has the greatest impact on Scout Finch, the protagonist of this novel. As Scout matures and grows up, her views on the world around her change. Through subtle yet effective ways, Miss Maudie teaches Scout many life lessons about being humble, judging, and attitude, all of which ultimately have a great effect on the kind of person Scout develops into and her outlook on the world.
That someone else was Miss Maudie. Scout started hanging out with Miss Maudie when she started to be neglected by Dill and Jem. Because Scout was hanging out with Miss Maudie it made Miss Maudie feels appreciated. Miss Maudie felt appreciated because she had someone that wanted to talk to her and spend time with her. On pages 46-47, it says “Our tacit treaty with Miss Maudie was that we could play on her lawn, eat her scuppernongs if we didn’t jump on the arbor, and explore her vast back lot, terms so generous we seldom spoke to her, so careful were we to preserve the delicate balance of our relationship, but Jem and Dill drove me closer to her with their behavior.” Scout also affects Uncle Jack by showing him that there is more than just one side of a story. On page 97 it says “‘I’m disappointed in you―you had that coming and you know it.” “Didn’t either.” Honey, you can’t go around calling people―” “You ain’t fair,” I said, “you ain’t fair.” Uncle Jack’s eyebrows… “You gonna give me a chance to tell you? I don’t mean… I took a deep breath. “Well, in
In the novel, to kill a mockingbird, Harper Lee presents three very distinct types of innocence that are portrayed by different characters throughout the novel. A good part in this story’s brilliance is that Harper Lee has managed to use the innocence of a young girl to her advantage. She does this by telling the whole story from a child’s point-of-view. By having an innocent little girl make racial remarks and regard people of color in a way consistent with the community, Lee provides the reader with an objective view of the situation. As a child, Scout can make observations that an adult would often avoid. In addition, readers are also likely to be forgiving of a child’s perception, whereas they would find an adult who makes these
When many people are children, their parents, grandparents, or anyone who poses as a parental figure tell them that they will become more mature with age. However, psychological maturity is mainly learned rather than simply accompanying a person’s ascent into adulthood. Inevitably people grow, but this statement proves the experiences a person has in their life, whether good or bad, will change the path he or she takes while growing up or even continuing his or her adult life. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jean-Louise “Scout” and Jem Finch are six and ten in the beginning of the book, respectively. Although they gain only three years by the end of the novel, the children develop even more mature mindsets than many of the physically grown-up people in the town. Three events that prompt this early maturation are a conversation that takes place between Atticus and Scout, Tom Robinson’s death, and the ordeal with Mrs. Dubose.
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 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
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee involves growing up and maturing. There are many characters who undergo some type of character growth, but none more than Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout. In the beginning of the novel Scout is a very naïve young girl, but by the end, she is a highly mature young lady who is ready to take on almost anything that the world may throw at her. The growth of Scout is fuelled through her exposure to events occurring around her, her questions and wonderings, and her relationships with other people.
" I've no intention of getting rid of her, now or ever. We could not operate a single day without Cal, have you ever thought of that? You think about how much Cal does for you, and you mind her, you hear?" This passage was based on that Scout does not appreciate Calpernia, and how she helps there family everyday but Scout does not like when she yells at her or gets her in trouble.
Scout admires Miss Maudie for many reasons. Miss Maudie shows respect towards Scout and her brother. She isn’t condescending and makes Scout feel comfortable. Scout admires Maudie's "crisp" speech and her sense of humor. But most of all, Scout knows she can trust Maudie and knows Maudie is her friend.
First, Calpurnia is relevant to the Finch family. In chapter three she says, “but you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t” (Lee 32). That comment confirms that Calpurnia is trying to teach Scout manners and to be polite to their guests. That is important because it shows how Calpurnia is relevant to the Finch family, if she would not have said anything, Walter would have thought that Scout was even more rude than he already did.
She is curious about the vocabulary others use and wants to learn more in order to comprehend and fully indulge. She also is very curious about places she has never been to before, which explains her openness to attend the “First Purchase” on Sunday with Calpurnia. When Calpurnia offers them the chance to attend, Scout eagerly asks “Really?” (Lee 156). After the trip to the church, Scout is excited and wishes to learn more about the community, so she asks Calpurnia if she could come to her house: “”Cal, can I come to see you sometimes?” She looked down at me. “See me, honey? You see me every day.” “Out to your house,” I said. “Sometimes after work? Atticus can get me.” (Lee 168). This again shows her eagerness to explore the world beyond her home and the “white borders” of Maycomb. Scout continues to investigate the world that she can, and matures quickly due to her curiousity.