Alexandra is significantly more adversarial than her brother and starts numerous arguments with him over the way he raises Jem and Scout. Curiously, Atticus comforts Scout by telling her that "Aunt Alexandra didn't understand girls much, she'd never had one." Compare and contrast Aunt Alexandra and Calpurnia in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Don't have an account yet? Alexandra Hancock Aunt Alexandra is so different from her easy-going brothers Atticus and Jack that Scout wonders if she was switched at birth with another family's baby. Good qualities include the fact she wants the best for Jem, Scout and the rest of the family, she will uphold any moral (page 146), she had plenty of pride in her family and she constantly tries to improve herself (page 147). Aunt Alexandra decided to come to stay with Atticus and his family for a while because she wanted to provide to Scout some "feminine influence" to her, how to become a proper woman and not be a tomboyish sort of person- which is so un-ladylike. Apparently the guards tried to tell him to stop and fired warning shots, but Tom kept running. that you should live up to your family name. However, Atticus uses the opportunity to further educate his children on the ways of the world. Atticus and Aunt Alexandra- although they are brother and sister- have completely different viewpoints and what is meant to be a good person. Atticus looks beyond blood ties and skin color and judges Calpurnia by her high moral standards, saying, 'Cal's lights are pretty good'. What does Aunt Alexandra mean when she says that Ewell could do "something furtive" to Atticus? These are just a few examples. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania M.A. “I had an idea, however, that Aunt Alexandra’s appearance on the scene was not so much Atticus’s doing as hers. How does Atticus defend Calpurnia from Aunt Alexandra in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird? “‘Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,’ was the first thing Aunt Alexandra said. As they look forward to the appeal, Scout asks if Walter Cunningham can come over to play, which Aunt Alexandra firmly refuses to allow. Aunt Alexandra lives at Finch's Landing, the family homestead, with her husband Jimmy. ‘Jean Louise, stop scratching your head,’ was the second thing she said.” #2. She is an imposing figure, and Scout describes her as being like Mt. Analysis: Chapters 12–13 He reveals that Tom tried to escape from prison and was shot to death by the prison guards. Log in here. When Aunt Alexandra had Atticus go talk to Jem and Scout, because she thinks they will listen to what he has to say, more than they will listen to her. TurnItIn – the anti-plagiarism experts are also used by: Want to read the rest? Calpurnia does the cooking and cleaning, which gives Aunt Alexandra time to focus on the children as Atticus becomes very busy with the Tom Robinson case. Despite the fact that he is in the right, Atticus tolerates his sister's strong-headedness, and even tries to go along with her wishes where he can. Alexandra is a conventional and traditional Southern lady of her generation. While Alexandra shares the community's racist ideology, Atticus values every human life, regardless of the person's race or ethnicity. In the days following the trial, Bob Ewell publicly threatens Atticus, which frightens the children. He believes people should be judged on their own merits, not on who their ancestors were. Learn the basics with our essay writing guide. Meanwhile, Tom Robinson has been sent to another prison seventy miles away while his appeal winds through the court system. Since Atticus had been raising Scout alone since she was two, he had never forced her to act like a girl, as it was something he probably wasn’t familiar with and wouldn’t have been able to teach. Her implication is that the females are to smooth away the stresses for men, while repressing their own feelings. Log in now! But Atticus is obliged to respect her. She makes it very clear to Scout that the Finches are a good family and that Scout shouldn’t spend time with her poorer peers. show the difference in attitude toward the cunninghams as expressed by Atticus and Aunt Alexandra. Â. Alexandra is a conventional and traditional Southern lady while Atticus is forward thinking. Unlike Alexandra, Atticus does not fit into Maycomb's society and is an outcast because of his progressive beliefs. Get Full Access Now Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. JavaScript seem to be disabled in your browser. Aunt Alexandra works hard at being feminine, but Miss Maudie doesn't seem to … Sign up to view the whole essay and download the PDF for anytime access on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Atticus and Alexandra are both loving, strong, family-oriented people, but they greatly differ in worldview. Aunt Alexandra is more rigid about Scout's appearance than her male relatives. Alexandra would very much like Scout to be socialized into this way of being and disapproves of her niece's tomboy ways. Aunt Alexandra Quotes About Her Character #1. Aunt Alexandra feels Scout doesn’t behave like the lady she is. He makes a valiant attempt but succeeds only in making Scout cry. This is a drastic contrast to Atticus's liberal parenting style, and the fact that he pays no heed to what society might think, and does what he thinks is right. Discuss how the incident referred to in this passage highlights the clash between Atticus and aunt Alexandra. © 2003 - 2015 Marked by Teachers. Aunt Alexandra decides to come to stay with Atticus in order to provide help around the house during Tom Robinson's trial and to instruct Scout in the ways of being a lady. He was quite an old father so he had experienced many things in his life to be able to pass on advice to his children and to teach them simple things like right to wrong. Despite their differences, Atticus and Alexandra support each other, and Atticus knows Scout can learn valuable life lessons from his sister's character, if not her ideas. She orders Atticus to lecture them on the subject of their ancestry. Aunt Alexandra is slightly hypocritical because as an incurable gossip she has no problem making down almost everyone in Maycomb but couldnt hear a word against herself or the rest of the Finch family. Create one now! Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus that since she has moved in, they can dismiss Calpurnia. With Aunt Alexandra presiding over the Finch household, it is inevitable that there will be clashes between Atticus and herself, as both of them struggle to teach the children what they think is right. Atticus and Alexandra are both loving, caring people who are devoted to their families and to each other. ©2021 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird, What does Scout find in the knothole of the tree in the novelÂ, What are some quotes related to Boo Radley that can be found in. Aunt Alexandra differs greatly from her brother and is portrayed as a rather austere woman, who does not understand children and disapproves of Scout's lifestyle. Created by teachers, our study guides highlight the really important stuff you need to know. This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Harper Lee section. Both are strong people as well, in their different ways. In the novel, Scout mentions that this drastic distinction between the two siblings is a result of gender.  She says that only a woman could raise them as Aunt Alexandra is trying to, but I think the reason for the difference also has to do with what the author is trying to show in the novel.  The differences between Atticus and Alexandra reveal the hypocrisy and prejudices to which some members of society cling. Well aware of Mrs. Dubose's addiction to morphine and her disapproval of Atticus' representation of Tom Robinson's case, Atticus encourages Jem and Scouts visits to her. or Answered by Aslan on 11/19/2011 1:00 PM Aunt Alexandra is primarily utilized as a contrast to Atticus through her diverse attitude to his methods of parenting. She is distressed at how little Atticus has taught his children in this regard. Atticus and Alexandra are two very different people.  The only similarity I can think of is that they both care about others, but in very different ways.  Alexandra cares what others think...Atticus actually cares about the people themselves.  Alexandra seems to represent the old traditional South, clinging to her heritage (what little 'fame' she might have), social standing, prejudices, outward appearance, and southern hospitality/graces.  She is appalled that Scout acts so much like a little boy rather than being and dressing properly as she feels a lady should. Â. Atticus on the other hand is progressive.  He is considered to be fair, just, and honest.  He has new ideas and new philosophies about life, and he raises Scout and Jem in this progressive manner.  He allows both Jem and Scout to express themselves and doesn't require that they behave in ways 'worthy' of the Finch name.  He is opposed to a false show of etiquette and behavior, and prefers to live openly and honestly with himself, his children, and his neighbors. Towards the beginning of the novel, Atticus is continually reminding Scout to keep her fists down, while Alexandra encourages her to get involved in social events like the missionary circle. chapter 23. Nevertheless, they support and care about each other. Atticus was hoping he saved Mayella a beaten. Atticus and Alexandra also want Jem and Scout to get along with the members of their community. Atticus has tried to teach them that they shouldn't act as though they are better than others, or to judge people based on their circumstances, so when Aunt Alexandra has him give this speech to the kids, he is being a hypocrite. under her bed; she thought it was a snake at first ...read more. (You know the type. All Rights Reserved. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. She fits in smoothly with conventional Maycomb society when she arrives to live with Atticus: she immediately, for example, becomes a member of the Ladies Missionary Society and hosts a tea for them. Atticus knows that it will not harm Scout if she mingles with Calpurnia outside home, because he does not rely on the myth that all blacks are evil; rather he judges Calpurnia as an individual, and knows that she will never wrongly influence Scout or Jem. GCSE resources with teacher and student feedback, AS and A Level resources with teacher and student feedback, International Baccalaureate resources with teacher and student feedback, University resources with teacher and student feedback. Meanwhile, Tom Robinson has been sent to another prison seventy miles away while his appeal winds through the court system. In the novel, there are two major disagreements between Alexandra and Atticus: raising children and race.