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In the beginning of the novel, scout was stubborn. She wanted to wear breeches her whole life. However, later on, when aunt alexandra becomes part of her everyday life, scout begins to accept that lady’s wear dresses. Astonishing is the influence that a woman can have on another human being, that even a child has no choice but to change its ways.
In the book “To Kill A Mockingbird”, written by Harper Lee, things can change in the blink of an eye. It can go from a peaceful taciturn summer morning to all hell broken loose. And for Aunt Alexandra, change comes extremely faster then anyone would ever expect. She would be one of the most imprudent and disrespectful person anyone would know to a caring, respected person who wouldn't despise anyone by their skin or gender.
Aunt Alexandra is a conservative woman who is conscious of propriety and class. So she wanted Jem and Scout to live in a certain way especially Scout, She was worried Scout was too much of a tomboy. Aunt Alexandra was also concerned that Atticus was too careless in his parenting. He allowed his kids to do whatever they wanted. She was also concerned that Calpurnia had too much say and authority over the lives of the children with the absence of their mother.
In this quote, Scout is talking about how Aunt Alexandra doesn’t ever let a chance to nag people about how pure her family is and how impure their families are. This, however, is just her facade so she could hide her true self. In the following quote, it will show how Aunt Alexandra really is and this is after Atticus tells her, Scout, Calpurnia, and Miss Maudie that Tom died trying to escape jail. “I thought Aunt Alexandra was crying, but when she took her hands away from her face, she was not.
Atticus attributes his sister’s behavior to the fact that she’s never had a girl of her own to care for. Aunt Alexandra is a grandmother and it makes sense that she would be stuck in her old ways, Scout even says, Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me. (13. 131). However, as we see through the book she grows and changes eventually becoming a mother to
Influences of Aunt Alexandra and Atticus Finch The main characters in the novel responsible for Scout’s construction/ development would be her Aunt Alexandra and her father Atticus Finch. The Aunt, who tires to manipulate Scout into becoming the conventional lady that society has laid out in front of us; where as Atticus encourages Scout to continuing being who she is. Through out the novel there is a huge focus on Scout 's clothing as it is an important ingredient for her to develop her female sense of self. However her aunt’s pushiness in what she should be wearing, makes Scout hate the idea of being a female even more, as her aunt wishes to mold her into stereotypical southern lady. “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire.
As said before, Aunt Alexandra is Atticus Finchs sister. After Atticus, Scout, and Jem visit her and the family, she becomes worried about the childrens upbringing and their carry of the family legacy because of Atticus' involvement in the trial and his support of blacks. She goes to Maycomb without notifying Atticus and stays with them to "straighten their ways". For example, she says to Jem, "If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that's his own business, like Grandma says, so it ain't your fault. I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you, it certainly does mortify the rest of the family--".
Aunt Alexandra wanted the children to be more aware of their place in the social structure of Maycomb. She wants them to act more as if they are important because they come from a good family. “She asked me to tell you you must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are. She wants to talk to you about the family and what it’s meant to Maycomb County through the years, so you’ll have some idea of who you are, so you might be moved to behave accordingly" (Chapter 13 Page 147). Atticus tries to deliver the message, but you can tell his heart isn't in it.
Atticus is a very fair man. He treats everyone the same. As his daughter Scout likes to dress in shirts and overalls with a short haircut, Atticus doesn't treat her like she needs to be the stereotype of what a girl is supposed to be like. She doesn’t wear dresses because she doesn't like them and Atticus respects that about her.
When she is around her aunt it causes more trouble, Aunt Alexandra feels like Scout is her responsibility even though her father Atticus has told Scout that her aunt doesn't understand little girls because she grew up with a boy. Having to be
Scout likes to hang out with boys and she does lots of boyish things. Atticus’s sister, Alexandra, hates this; she thinks that Scout should be doing girl things. Scout proclaimed, “Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born” (Lee 108). Aunt Alexandra only feels it is right for Scout to be playing with girly toys inside instead of running around outside with the boys. On the other hand, Atticus feels like it is right to give his children a chance to express themselves as they wish.
Instead of continuing to think negatively of Aunt Alexandra, Scout views her differently. Scout views people and things differently to prove that she is growing up and coming-of-age.
In the novel, Lee uses Scout to demonstrate how the expectations of society are pushed onto girls at a young age. One of the characters who forces these expectations onto Scout is Aunt Alexandra. Often times she ridicules Atticus for allowing Scout to wear breeches and be “unladylike.” During the Christmas party at Finch’s landing, Scout and Alexandra have a conversation about what is proper to wear.
First of all, Scout and Atticus have a good relationship because he teaches her respect and is always honest with her. When Scout comes home from school, she was upset of what miss Caroline her teacher told her that she need to tell Atticus to not teach her read anymore but, Atticus told her that “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around on it”. (39) This example proves that Atticus respects what Miss Caroline wants him not to do, on the other hand
When Jem and Scout’s Aunt Alexandra was thinking about moving in with the Finch’s, so they have a woman figure in their life, Atticus says to Scout, ‘’’How’d you like her to come live with us?’’’ (pg 128). This shows he is a good father because he cares about the opinion of his daughter. He honours and respects what she has to say. He is being fair because he knows the type of relationship Scout and her Aunt Alexandra have.
