Calpurnia Quotes

Jem and Scout learn a very valuable lesson about respecting others from their father. Atticus first demonstrates this characteristic when Aunt Alexandra suggests to Atticus that he should let Calpurnia go. Atticus defends Calpurnia, refusing to let her go saying that he “couldn’t have got along without her all these years” because she helped raise Jem and Scout (155). Calpurnia helped raise the children, so she gained their respect from an early age, since they saw her as a mother figure. They are not only taught to respect people of other races, but people of their same race that why may not want to respect, Ms.Dubose for example. Atticus had taught them to “hold your head up and be a gentleman” even though Ms.Dubose constantly called their family vicious names and terrorized Jem and Scout (115). Throughout the book Boo Radley is seen as ghostly figure in Maycomb, he was something that the children would make games out of and his house was something people would cross the street to pass. They soon discover that Boo is just trying to be their friend, he does this by leaving small gifts in a knot of the

Another stereotype in Maycomb that African Americans, specifically, might be placed under is that they are uneducated and inferior to the white community. Calpurnia disproves this easily. In fact, when Scout is describing her and the arguments they had, she states that “Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side” (Lee 6). This clearly shows that Calpurnia has Atticus’ approval, something she could only gain by showing intelligence and capability. It proves that she is not only correct and just in her ways, but that she is respected and has some authority in the Finch household. This is neither common nor stereotypical in Maycomb, and neither is Boo Radley. Though he is at the center of the most notorious story in all of Maycomb, and is rumored to be a haunted psychopath, he is not the typical recluse. His true nature is revealed in “Summer, and he watched his children’s heart break. Autumn again, and Boo’s children needed him” (Lee 279). Clearly, Boo is much more benevolent than anyone could perceive, as he chooses to be kind despite his hardship. He disproves the stereotype that would lead Maycomb citizens to see him as spiteful or self-pitying, by coming to the aid of Jem and Scout. He goes so far as to call Scout and Jem “his children”, proving his love and sense of responsibility towards them. Moreover, his empathy proves that the existence of racism is not the only thing Maycomb County does not fully comprehend. In

“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.

To begin with, Calpurnia is a coloured housekeeper and a cook for the Finch family which are Atticus (father), Scout (daughter) and Jem (son). She is a confident lady and has "more education than most colored folks" (32). According to the Finch family, they accept her as a part of the family due to Atticus allowing Calpurnia to lecture Scout on her behavior because some white families do not accept the teachings morals from a coloured woman. For instance, when Scout judged on how Walter ate, Calpurnia at that very moment taught her that was not acceptable and is always correcting her manners as well with Jem. Calpurnia is a caring mother who personally treats Jem and Scout as her very own children. Moving on, the Finch family does not judge her due to her skin colour, instead, they trust her.

she’s a faithful member of this family” (Lee 137). Atticus defends Cal and defines her as a member of the family. Atticus clearly sees Calpurnia as equal, even when practically everyone else does not. Atticus is standing up for what he believes is right even though others, even his own sister, do not believe in the same values. Someone who stands up for what is right is a good person who is worthy of looking up to and a great example to follow. When someone stands up for what they believe is right, it is a great quality to have and a quality that everyone should have. Nobody at the time saw blacks as equal, but Atticus still did and this makes him a great role model because he stands up for what he believes in.

She tells scout, "Baby… I just can't help it if Mr. Jem is growing up… so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. Will find lots of things to do in here." (154). This shows that Calpurnia is not only their housekeeper but she is also like a mother to Scout and Jem. During a conversation between Atticus and Alexandra, Atticus tells Alexandra "If anything she's been harder on them than a mother

The book,¨To kill a Mockingbird¨ and ¨The Help¨ have people who really appreciate what others do for them no matter the race. By the same token, ¨To kill a Mockingbird¨ Scout, Jem and Atticus treat Calpurnia as if she was family, they don't think less of her or make her feel useless. Scout and Jem are always listening to Calpurnia's advice and are really never impolite to her and treat her as if she was more than just their maid(Lee,np).Atticus never mistreat´s Calpurnia, in all of maycomb Atticus stands out and never looks in the outside and really cares about what's inside, even though everyone else in Maycomb is very judgmental and uncivil without trying.Everyone in Maycomb feels the need to have someone that's less than them so they

Though Calpurnia and the people involved in Calpurnia’s life are greatly impacted, Jean Louise Finch, a.k.a. Scout, deals with more confusion and frustration brought on by racial discrimination. During a day at school, Scout encountered Cecil Jacobs and his ignorant mind. “Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard of me fighting any more… I soon forgot. Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defends niggers”(Lee 99). Scout did not realize what this meant, but she was hurt by it any way. Scout is affected by a copious amount of racism, she just has no clue what is zipping around her. When she confronted Atticus about him defending Negroes, he said of course he does, and to not use

Women in the story like Calpurnia and Miss Maudie help teach Scout lessons like optimism and kindness. In the small town of Maycomb there is a very poor farming family, the Cunninghams. Scout does not understand the complexities of their situation. While Scout is being quite rude to the Cunningham’s, judging and mocking them when they came for dinner Calpurnia teaches her something very important. Calpurnia tells Scout that they are company, they are people and you must be kind to them.

To start, even the Finch family turns on Atticus and his kids when they found out the nature of Atticus’ new client: Tom Robinson. When the kids are off with their cousin, the cousin irritates Scout and disrespects Atticus by taunting “‘I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a n***er-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family—’” (Lee, 85). Atticus is defending a black man an the whole family is mortified, which makes evident the fact that the Finch family does not view people of a different race as equal and worthy of a white person’s time, and furthermore are racist. The casual use of the n-word as well, even by a child, was completely normal in the time period, which is another sign of racism in the south, and specifically in the town of maycomb. These poor race relations contributed to the wrongful conviction and execution of Tom robinson. Racism was very prevalent in Scout’s childhood, as well as Harper Lee’s, but Scout grew up differently than most of the children, she had exposure to the black community by was of Calpurnia. In an article by Kathryn Lee Seidel, it is stated that “This African American housekeeper is the novel’s female parental figure for Scout. It is Calpurnia who teaches Scout to write, it is she who admonishes Scout to treat little Walter with respect at

To Kill a Mockingbird: Figurative Language Harper Lee described three essential character in the novel that serve as motherly figures and those that influenced Scout to be a Lady: Calpurnia, Alexandra, and Maudie. Calpurnia represents to Scout as righteousness and reasons, a clear example of motherly figure. For example, with Walter, when she disregards his habit of eating, Calpurnia taught her to never discriminate those considered as company and judge them by their status. Calpurnia represents piggy in To Kill a Mockingbird.

At the start of Chapter 14, Scout encounters a rude gentleman who makes a comment relating to Tom Robinson. She then asked Atticus "what's rape" after hearing the comment, with a response from Atticus of "carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent." Scout and Atticus discuss about Calpurnia bringing Jem and herself to church and visiting Cal, as Aunt Alexandra stepping in to tell her she can't and Scout immediately heads to the bathroom. Scout overheard bickering between Aunt Alexandra and Atticus, thinking that they are talking about her, but then figures out that they are talking about Calpurnia and how Aunt Alexandra wants her kicked out. Jem takes initiative to tell Scout to change her attitude to their Aunt, which then leads

After Scout comments on Walter's food, combination Calpurnia tells Scout “There are some folks who don’t eat like us" [p.32] she explains how some people have different customs. By saying this Calpurnia hints the different social classes between the Cunningham's and them. In addition, when Calpurnia states "you ain’t called on to contradict ‘em at the table when they don’t" [p.32], she is telling Scout that she should not judge Walter for his actions. Therefore, Calpurnia teaches Scout to respect everyone no matter what social standing they have.

Calpurnia guides and shapes the Finch children and is like a mother to them with her sincerity and love. Whenever the kids do something wrong, Cal corrects them. She doesn’t just cook and keep the house clean, she even gets them dressed. She takes very good care of them. Calpurnia makes the kids who they are. She physically and emotionally guides them with her knowledge and kindness, and is guiding the children to make them better as human beings. “Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this

Although Atticus is not as harsh as Calpurnia, he uses his sternness to get his point across, in addition to his disappointment. These actions are taken by Atticus multiple times in the story. Both actions taken by Calpurnia and Atticus prove that they appear as motherly figures towards Scout because they care about her appearance towards others and take time to make sure she learns right from wrong; one of the main responsibilities of mothers. Despite Atticus and Calpurnia’s disciplinary actions, providing support helps to balance their relationship with Scout.