To Kill A Mockingbird Calpurnia Quotes

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a piece of Southern literature that is set in Maycomb County, which is a fictional town in Alabama. This classical novel is about the Finch family and the hardships that the family faces. Atticus is a lawyer who has to defend an African American man. Throughout the craziness of this trial, a special character in the novel takes care of Atticus’s kids, Jem and Scout. She is illustrated as an African American character who is described as the “cook of the family.” Calpurnia is the name of this character, and she fills many different roles throughout the novel. Since the mother of Jem and Scout died at a young age, Cal is the mother figure in their life. During their young years, she is also their

When Atticus leaves the family for two weeks, Calpurnia stays and takes care of Jem and Scout. On the following Sunday, she must take the children to her church. While she is there, many African American folks approach Calpurnia, making statements like, ‘“I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church”’ and ‘“You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here-they got their church, we got our’n”’ (Lee 158). Cal responds to these unkind remarks and says, “It’s the same God, ain’t it?” (Lee 158) Although Cal is getting rude remarks about bringing Caucasian children to an African American church, she is still more concerned and compassionate about making sure the kids that she is taking care of are in church on the Sunday that she is responsible for them. At heart, Cal can be seen as viewing all people as humans, not by the color of their skin. She is very compassionate towards people for who they are, not what they are made of. Calpurnia is brave enough to bring Jem and Scout to her church, but then she is also brave enough to stick up for the children when they are feeling like they are not wanted there. Calpurnia is also very promising towards Atticus, especially when she is asked to do things that she is uncomfortable doing. Atticus asks Calpurnia to go with him to tell Helen Robinson that Tom Robinson is dead. Atticus says, “Cal, I want

In the beginning of the novel, Scout is angry with Calpurnia and wants Atticus to get rid of her. All Calpurnia is trying to do is show Scout that she is concerned with her learning ability. Atticus tells Scout, “I’ve no intention of getting rid of her, now or ever. We couldn’t operate a single day without Cal, have you ever thought of that? You think about how much Cal does for you, and you mind her, you hear?” (Lee 33) Atticus is explaining to Scout how important Calpurnia is to their family. Even though Cal is hard on the kids, she has taught them essential life lessons. Later in the novel, Aunt Alexandra is attempting to tell Atticus to force Calpurnia to leave. Atticus says, “Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years. She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are” (Lee 182). Aunt Alexandra is trying to find reasons to accomplish getting Cal out of the house. Aunt Alexandra wants to take over the motherly job of the kids, and does not always agree with the way Calpurnia takes care of things. Calpurnia is essential to the family, though, and Atticus continues to stick up for her. Calpurnia is one of the only African Americans in town that is able to read and write. She is concerned with Jem and Scout’s ability to read and write, therefore she blesses them