“We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence” declares Aunt Alexandra in a munificent manner (170). To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, discusses the roots of human behavior through the lives of Scout Finch and her racially divided, Southern-knit community during the early 1930s. Due to Scout lacking a mother-like figure in her adolescent years and spending meager time with her father because of the erroneous trial of Tom Robinson, Aunt Alexandra comes to live with the Finches. Aunt Alexandra first reveals herself to be a scrutinizing leech for gossip and positive recognition, and finds that there is no better way to receive this than through hosting missionary circle tea parties. While staying at the
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After finding out about the news of Tom Robinson’s untimely death due to the racial injustices occurring in Maycomb’s judicial system and county, Aunt Alexandra drags her anxieties about her brother Atticus’ well-being out of her unconscious and reveals them to Miss Maudie Atkinson. She expresses how even though she does not approve of all of his actions, “he’s my brother, and I just want to know when this will ever end… he doesn’t show it much, but it tears him to pieces… they’re perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what they’re afraid to do” (316). Scout is surprised to learn that her aunt cares very deeply for Atticus, and is not only temporarily residing at the Finch residence to show him what it takes to be a real parent. She commences to discern that Aunt Alexandra wants the best for Scout, and disciplines the hard way is to help her grow. Aunt Alexandra hovers over Scout like a rain cloud out of love. She understands that her aunt is devoting her time to helping her grow, and to keep Atticus afloat when the tide is dragging him out to sea. Aunt Alexandra teaches Scout maturity through her commitment to the well-being of the Finch family, and through not letting bumps in the road affect her loyalty and …show more content…
At first glance, Aunt Alexandra proves herself to be a minor character. Aunt Alexandra initially reveals herself to be yet another cold and superficial woman of Maycomb, who exemplifies all of the local bigotry of her community and is easily accepted because of it. She irks Scout and her father through her racial prejudices, her insistence of showing Calpurnia the door, and her antipathy of poor whites. As the novel progresses, Aunt Alexandra proves the opposite. She teaches Scout loyalty through caring for Atticus’ health during the trial, and by teaching Scout how to be a lady out of love. She radiates civility by not letting Mrs. Merriweather’s ignorant comments about Atticus bend her out of shape. Aunt Alexandra also teaches Scout to behave depending on her environment by managing to keep her composure in front of the missionary circle ladies after hearing about Tom Robinson’s unfortunate death. Aunt Alexandra’s stay at the Finch residence allows Scout to understand that "courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”
After finding out about the news of Tom Robinson’s untimely death due to the racial injustices occurring in Maycomb’s judicial system and county, Aunt Alexandra drags her anxieties about her brother Atticus’ well-being out of her unconscious and reveals them to Miss Maudie Atkinson. She expresses how even though she does not approve of all of his actions, “he’s my brother, and I just want to know when this will ever end… he doesn’t show it much, but it tears him to pieces… they’re perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what they’re afraid to do” (316). Scout is surprised to learn that her aunt cares very deeply for Atticus, and is not only temporarily residing at the Finch residence to show him what it takes to be a real parent. She commences to discern that Aunt Alexandra wants the best for Scout, and disciplines the hard way is to help her grow. Aunt Alexandra hovers over Scout like a rain cloud out of love. She understands that her aunt is devoting her time to helping her grow, and to keep Atticus afloat when the tide is dragging him out to sea. Aunt Alexandra teaches Scout maturity through her commitment to the well-being of the Finch family, and through not letting bumps in the road affect her loyalty and …show more content…
At first glance, Aunt Alexandra proves herself to be a minor character. Aunt Alexandra initially reveals herself to be yet another cold and superficial woman of Maycomb, who exemplifies all of the local bigotry of her community and is easily accepted because of it. She irks Scout and her father through her racial prejudices, her insistence of showing Calpurnia the door, and her antipathy of poor whites. As the novel progresses, Aunt Alexandra proves the opposite. She teaches Scout loyalty through caring for Atticus’ health during the trial, and by teaching Scout how to be a lady out of love. She radiates civility by not letting Mrs. Merriweather’s ignorant comments about Atticus bend her out of shape. Aunt Alexandra also teaches Scout to behave depending on her environment by managing to keep her composure in front of the missionary circle ladies after hearing about Tom Robinson’s unfortunate death. Aunt Alexandra’s stay at the Finch residence allows Scout to understand that "courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”