In evaluating the characters of Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra, I have found Calpurnia to be the better mother figure to Scout. Calpurnia, the Finch’s cook, is a positive role model and mother figure for both of the Finch children, Scout in particular. One piece of evidence that supports this is the way she treats Scout as she would her own child. When Jem and Dill exclude Scout from their games, the first person Scout runs to is Calpurnia, and Cal welcomes her with open arms. Cal tells Scout that there is nothing she can do about Jem, but goes on to assure her that the kitchen is a safe space for Scout to come when she needs a friend. Also, when Calpurnia takes the children to church with her, she takes care that they look finer than royalty,
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She may spend much of her day with the Finch family, but at the end of it, she goes home to her own life and her own children. Yet despite this, she still treats Scout like a daughter, comforting her when she is upset and knowing her favorite foods. When the rabid dog came down the street, Cal’s first thought is of Jem and Scout’s safety, showing a protectiveness that goes far beyond the bounds of a mere cook or nanny. Another trait of Calpurnia’s that makes her a strong mother figure for Scout is the way she tries to guide Scout rather than change her. Calpurnia is a woman of strong beliefs, and she is clearly not afraid to impart them on Scout. When Walter Cunningham came over for lunch and Scout called him out on his eating habits, Calpurnia not only reprimanded her, but made her finish her lunch in the …show more content…
For example, when the rabid dog came, Calpurnia was the only one bold enough to go outside to warn the Radley’s. This set a clear example for the children, one of compassion and bravery. Be that as it may, throughout all of her teachings Cal never endeavors to change who Scout is at her core. She allows Scout to ‘run wild’ with Jem and Dill and does not try to make her into a ‘lady.’ On the other hand, Aunt Alexandra is a far less admirable mother figure, at least where Scout is concerned. Whereas Scout feels like she can go to Calpurnia for support and comfort, she feels oppressed and nervous with her aunt. They hardly ever talk with one another, Aunt Alexandra’s scoldings aside. Calpurnia is a permanent fixture in the Finch household, but although Aunt Alexandra fit into Maycomb society like she had always lived there, she never really fit into the Finch world. She even goes so far as to make Scout cry, through her constant nitpicking; because of her critiques, Scout begins to feel wrong in her own world. Another thing about Aunt Alexandra is that she is obsessed with changing who Scout
She may spend much of her day with the Finch family, but at the end of it, she goes home to her own life and her own children. Yet despite this, she still treats Scout like a daughter, comforting her when she is upset and knowing her favorite foods. When the rabid dog came down the street, Cal’s first thought is of Jem and Scout’s safety, showing a protectiveness that goes far beyond the bounds of a mere cook or nanny. Another trait of Calpurnia’s that makes her a strong mother figure for Scout is the way she tries to guide Scout rather than change her. Calpurnia is a woman of strong beliefs, and she is clearly not afraid to impart them on Scout. When Walter Cunningham came over for lunch and Scout called him out on his eating habits, Calpurnia not only reprimanded her, but made her finish her lunch in the …show more content…
For example, when the rabid dog came, Calpurnia was the only one bold enough to go outside to warn the Radley’s. This set a clear example for the children, one of compassion and bravery. Be that as it may, throughout all of her teachings Cal never endeavors to change who Scout is at her core. She allows Scout to ‘run wild’ with Jem and Dill and does not try to make her into a ‘lady.’ On the other hand, Aunt Alexandra is a far less admirable mother figure, at least where Scout is concerned. Whereas Scout feels like she can go to Calpurnia for support and comfort, she feels oppressed and nervous with her aunt. They hardly ever talk with one another, Aunt Alexandra’s scoldings aside. Calpurnia is a permanent fixture in the Finch household, but although Aunt Alexandra fit into Maycomb society like she had always lived there, she never really fit into the Finch world. She even goes so far as to make Scout cry, through her constant nitpicking; because of her critiques, Scout begins to feel wrong in her own world. Another thing about Aunt Alexandra is that she is obsessed with changing who Scout