What Role Does Calpurnia Play In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Scout’s mother died when she was at the age of 2. Growing without a mother, Scout has to depend on others to help guide mold her into the ideal woman. Each of these parental figures had their own way to teach Scout. With these role models to help Scout, she is able to develop as a throughout the entire book. Calpurnia is the first parental figure to help develop and advance Scout’s character throughout the story. She taught Scout how to be courteous to others. One example of this is when the Finches had Walter Cunningham over. When he soaked his food in molasses, Scout had an uproar about him using all the molasses. Calpurnia reprimanded scout by saying the following “There's some folks who don't eat like us, 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?” ( Lee 27) Calpurnia helped catalyze Scout’s maturity throughout the book by teaching her better conduct.

Miss Maudie knew Atticus the most out of everybody in Maycomb. She helps Scout understand what her father has to do during the trial. Miss Maudie teaches Scout to respect everyone in the town and to be open-minded. An example of this is when she makes her remarks about Tom Robinson. She said “The handful of people in this town who say that fair play is not marked White Only; the handful of people who say a fair trial is for everybody, not just us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord's kindness am I." (Lee 269) Without Miss Maudies wise teachings Scout would have more negative views on