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What Is Calpurnia's Role In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Practically everybody in literature has someone in their world that influences who they are and how they view the world. One of the best examples of a mentor in literature takes place in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this story, Scout, a young girl growing up in 1960’s Alabama, learns a lot about herself and her world from her father, Atticus, Miss Maudie Atkinson, her neighbor, and her family's housekeeper, Calpurnia. These three people teach Scout about compassion, understanding others, as well as how to compose herself in front of others. These mentors guide Scout through her childhood and teach her valuable lessons about how to live a good life. The Finch's family housekeeper, Calpurnia, plays an extremely influencial role in Scout's life. Scout and her brother Jem lost their mother at a very young age, so Calpurnia acts as a surrogate mother for the children. She teaches them important lessons such as how to interact properly with those around them and she protects them …show more content…

In chapter five, whenever Scout questions why Boo Radley never leaves his house, Miss Maudie says "Arthur Radley just stays in the house, that's all....Wouldn't you stay in the house if you didn't want to come out?". In this moment, although it is not realized until later, Miss Maudie is teaching Scout that she should not judge someone without knowing their story. Boo Radley had simply experienced the rude nature of those of the outside world and wanted to escape from it within the walls of his own home, yet Scout, along with the entire town of Maycomb, theorized why he was so reclusive in outlandish ways. Miss Maudie teaches Scout and Jem some very important life lessons, and ultimately assists them in becoming more accepting people while also teaching them of the realities of the world around

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