To Kill A Mockingbird Calpurnia Quotes

Calpurnia does a lot more than what she is hired for. She cooks and teaches Scout how to write. The Finches are very grateful to have Calpurnia, however, since she is a black women in a white household, injustice rise. Aunt Alexandra is racist and because she is family, she has some authority in the Finches house. One day Aunt Alexandra overheard Scout telling a story to Atticus about the time she visited Calpurnia’s black church, and Scout was invited to go to Calpurnia’s house. Aunt Alexandra blurted in the middle of the conversation a denial for Scout to go. “She promised me I could come out to her house some afternoon. Atticus, I’ll go next Sunday… can I?... “You may not.” Aunt Alexandra said it.” (Lee 154) This initiated a clash with Scout. Scout turned disgruntled and “the only way I could retire with a shred of dignity was to go to the bathroom.” (Lee 154-155) Then a fight between Atticus and Aunt Alexandra occur, where Aunt Alexandra wants to get rid of Calpurnia, however, Atticus disagree. This notion of having blacks cannot be with white people is unrighteous. Therefore, having Calpurnia around did not solve the inequity done by Aunt Alexandra. A way to solve this injustice is by adding social capital and cultural capital of the Finches ideology onto Aunt Alexandra. Thus, making Aunt Alexandra accepting of

Although her main duties include cooking cleaning and watching over the children, she is vital for many other reasons. One of the most important parts of her duties is simply making it so that the children are aware that blacks are not the monsters the rest of Maycomb believes them to be. But perhaps the real reason Atticus hired her is this. She connects him to the black community in an acceptable way, when Atticus receives gifts from the black community he says “Tell them I’m very grateful, he said, tell them- tell them they must never do this again. Times are too hard…” Calpurnia provides a wholly acceptable route for Atticus to communicate to the black community and for them to talk to him. This is possibly the most important reason for Calpurnia’s

First of all Calpurnia is very responsible, yet fun with the children. Calpurnia also provided more culture and knowledge for the children to experience while she takes care of them. These fun characteristics have been displayed when Calpurnia was trying to distract Scout, because Dill and Jem would not let her play with them. Another time this side of her was revealed was when Calpurnia rewarded Scout with a “an open-faced sandwich of bread and butter and sugar.” Lastly, Calpurnia also helps the kids work things out, so that they do not fight as much. Calpurnia is also a good mother figure for the children, because she can provide them with more culture and knowledge that they can use when they get older. When Scout, Jem, and Calpurnia went to church with Calpurnia, they learned valuable information about a community different than their own. Calpurnia was also very smart when there was a rabid dog. Because it was in the wrong season no one thought that it was true, but Calpurnia did and her never giving up saved people's lives. Lastly, Calpurnia teaches Scout and Jem that even though you know something does not mean you have to show it off all of the time and intimidate people. Aunt Alexandra on the other hand, is not a good mother figure. First of all she does not get along with Atticus’s side of the Finch’s. This is supported when Aunt Alexandra is very rude and blunt with Scout and Jem, who are still little children. She also likes to tell Atticus that he is parenting wrong, and tries to get Scout to change the way she acts. The second reason I do not think that Aunt Alexandra would be a good mother figure is that she does not let the family be themselves. For example, she tells Scout multiple times to act more lady-like and wear dresses not pants. Atticus was also forced to tell the children that they are part of “gentle breeding,” and that they should act that way. For

Calpurnia is Jem and Scouts mother figure, because their mother died due to a sudden heart attack. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to her church, First Purchase, and introduces them to the fact that not all black people are bad people. She shows courage because it’s nerve racking to bring 2 white children to an all black church. Calpurnia says, “I don’t want anybody sayin’ I don’t look after my children” (Lee pg. 118). Calpurnia takes pride in Jem and Scout and shows a massive amount of courage taking these children to her type of life, and to her church. She teaches these kids that it’s not always the right thing to do what everybody else is doing. Calpurnia looks after these children and takes them in as her own when she is told to.

In conclusion, Atticus Finch and Calpurnia are contrasting characters with the same purpose in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus maintains a fair, wise character throughout the novel, in comparison to Calpurnia's cogent, blunt personality. What brings them together is how they set the correct example for and give life lessons to Jem and Scout. This is evident in multiple scenes throughout the novel, and helps develop the deeply-rooted respect in between them, showing that even those with contrasting ideas and characteristics are capable of making the same, positive effects on others.

Atticus says, "Thank you for my children, Arthur."(Lee,370). Mr. Arthur Radley, even though he does not know Jem and Jean Louise, saves them. Arthur looks out for Atticus' kids even though they are only neighbors. In chapter 8, Ms. Maudie's house is devoured in flames. The entire neighborhood helps retrieve the not burning furniture, and help push the fire truck. Again in chapter 12, Cal says, "How'd you and Mister Jem like to come to church with me tomorrow?"(Lee,156). Even though Calpurnia just helps around the Finch household and isn't of any blood, she shows love to Jem and Scout. Cal didn't have to take Jem and Scout to church with her, instead she offered to because she was looking out got Atticus. The love that everyone shows throughout "To Kill a Mockingbird", is done out of pure respect for one

In the 1930s, white people were not typically looked down upon for their skin, but when Cal invites Scout and Jem to her church, the children experience a taste of racial prejudice firsthand. Another churchgoer, Lula, does not take kindly to the new guests and decides to confront them. “Lula stopped, but she said, ‘You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here- they got their church and we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’” to which Calpurnia defends herself by replying, “‘It’s the same God, ain’t it?’” (Lee 158). Another case in which Scout is condescendingly treated for her friendship occurs when Aunt Alexandra denies a proposition to visit the Calpurnia’s house. As she explains to her father, “Yessum, and she promised me I could come out to her house some afternoon. Atticus, I’ll go next Sunday if it’s all right, can I?...” a voice cuts in from the other side of the room, ‘You may not.’ Aunt Alexandra said it” (Lee 181). The objection stems from Alexandra’s close-minded beliefs of white supremacy and secluded femininity. Seeing as the only woman figure is black and encourages Scout’s tomboyish ways, like her wearing overalls, her reactions are nothing surprising. People of all races disapprove of the relationship between Scout and Calpurnia, contributing to Harper Lee’s purpose for writing To Kill a

Calpurnia serves as an amazing role model and mother figure to the children, and yet Aunt Alexandra wants to fire her. She had raised Jem and Scout, and plays an indispensable part of their lives, showering them with discipline, structure, and love. Aunt Alexandra, however, barely existed in the children 's lives up until she moved into the Finch’s home, yet she inflicts great injustice on Calpurnia by failing to recognize the necessitous part of the family that Calpurnia fills. Scout even overhears Aunt Alexandra saying, "...you 've got to do something about her. You 've let things go on too long Atticus, too long. I don 't see any problem in letting her go"(182). Calpurnia deserves honor and reward, not termination. The injustice of Aunt Alexandra’s disregard for Calpurnia continues the underlying theme of the book.

The relationship between Calpurnia and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is interesting because in spite of their love-hate relationship Calpurnia is the closest figure to a mother both Scout and Jem have. We get to know Calpurnia through Scout’s eyes as a mother-like figure who is hard on Scout in some situations and loving in others. We get to see the tough, bossy, and strict side as well as the soft, nurturing, kind and motherly side. Even though she is just an African American housekeeper, she has been a member of the Finch’s Family and means much more as she is one of the few black people in Maycomb who is educated. She teaches Scout to write during rainy days as well as carrying the responsibility of teaching Scout and Jem

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the character Calpurnia is a valuable member of the Finch family and is vital to their well-being. The first instance this is seen is when Calpurnia supplies Scout with some much need discipline after she had been rude to Walter Cunningham at the dinner table. Calpurnia tells Scout: “That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?” (Lee. 32) Discipline is important in a child’s life and Calpurnia recognizes this. Additionally, one of Calpurnia’s main responsibilities is to take care of the household; this job would not be completed if she was not there. After Scout had suggested firing Calpurnia, Atticus addresses this issue by telling her: “We couldn’t operate

Calpurnia and Atticus are characters who behave like other people expect them to behave. First, Calpurnia code switches when she goes to church. She says she has to do this because then other will think she is “better” or “too good” for them in a derogatory way. She is expected to behave a certain way to be able to “fit in” and blend among others. Also, when Atticus is speaking to the jurors, he makes himself comfortable to get on the level of others. He expects others to listen to him carefully and more relatably if he is “on the same level” as

Atticus trusts Calpurnia while he is away to take care of the children. Calpurnia cares for Jem and Scout very much and decides to take them to church with her on Sunday. Even though her church is a coloured church, it doesn’t stop her since church is an important part in the children’s lives. Calpurnia stands up for Jem and Scout when they are being criticized for being white in a black church, and they later accept the kids as their own. This part in the book shows Calpurnia caring for the kids spiritually, as well as spending time

Calprina is another mother figure in scout life, she cook’s for the family, and try to show Scout the right from wrong: “It was then that Calpurnia requested my presence in the kitchen. She was furious, and when she was furious Calpurnia’s grammar became erratic. When in tranquility, her grammar was as good as anybody’s in Maycomb. Atticus said Calpurnia had more education than most colored folks. When she squinted down at me the tiny lines around her eyes deepened. “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 table cloth you let him, you hear?”Calprina(Lee,13) Scout immatureness got the best of her and was rude to Walter Cunningham’s but did not mean it. Calprina tried showing Scout that if people that were raised differently sitting at the same table then you do not be rude to whatever their doing because you would not understand, you are raised differently. Here is an example of Miss Maudie choice to defend Scout in a group full of women: “That Stephanie’s a card,” somebody said. Miss Stephanie was encouraged to pursue the subject: “Don’t you want to grow up to be a lawyer?” Miss Maudie’s hand touched mine and I answered mildly enough, “Nome, just a lady.”Miss Maudie (Lee,122) Like Atticus Scout father she gives advice and listens to.

After Walter Cunningham displays some questionable manners, Scout makes an obscene comment and Calpurnia pulls her into the kitchen. She yells, saying, “ ‘Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! 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 set here and eat in the kitchen!’ ” (33). The motherly instincts of Calpurnia sink in as she scolds Scout for being rude. Just because she is a cook does not mean she always has to be nice. Despite Calpurnia’s plundering behavior, she can also be compassionate and caring to others, including the Finches. When Scout returns home from school, she is surprised to see Calpurnia waiting at the door. “ ‘I missed you today’, she said.” (38). Calpurnia is revealing that deep down she has a love for Scout and wants the best for her. It also shows that she isn’t just a cook, but a mother as well. To add, Calpurnia also conveys her affection for her “children” when she “bent down and kissed me. I ran along, wondering what had come over her.” (38). For Scout to see this behavior as unusual is a hint that Calpurnia has not shown her real feelings for a very long time. However, these real feelings are very good and Scout learns to appreciate Cal more than she used too. Even though Calpurnia can be seen as evil to Scout, she actually cares about her and just hides her feeling

In the book, Calpurnia is such a large part of the kids lives. Scout hangs around with her, and sees Calpurnia as the female influence in her life. Calpurnia is the one Scout goes to for someone to talk to when she can’t talk to Atticus. So, when they take away the amount of Calpurnia 's existence in the film, it eliminates part of Scouts background. It is almost like you don 't get to know the whole sum of Scouts life without Calpurnia in the movie. Also, since Calpurnia isn 't in the movie as much, the kids never end up going to church with Cal, nor does Scout ask to go over to Calpurnia 's house. This is significant because the kids do not get to realize exactly how much the black community of Maycomb, besides a few people, look up to Atticus and the whole Finch family. So, not having Calpurnia in the movie eliminates a large part of Scouts life that can be visualized in the novel. Not having Calpurnia in the movie as much gives a person, who has read the book, a sense of loss. Because, you lose the whole aspect of the children having a family member who was black. In Maycomb it was considered crazy to believe that your black servant was part of the family, but that 's what the Finch’s believed with Calpurnia. Without Calpurnia, you miss getting to realize how much the other race appreciates the Finch family, and you miss Scout growing up with a black female as her motherly