Thursday, October 28, 2010

What does Calpurnia's lecture to Scout about criticizing Walter's manners say about hers and Atticus's attitude toward others?Calpurnia lectures...

In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," both Atticus and Calpurnia respect the individual regardless of race or socioeconomic status.  A phrase that Jem mocked in latter chapters because it was not adhered to by most of the community does, however, hold true for Atticus and Caplpurnia.  This phrase is what Scout says at the end of Chapter 23:  "...there is just one kind of folks.  Folks."


So, when Scout criticizes Walter's table manners, Calpurnia privately scolds her, telling her that Walter is her company. And, it is after this incident that Atticus tells Scout,



If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folds.  You never really understand a person until yu consider things from his point of view--....until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.



Of course, this is the very lesson that Scout does learn as the narrative continues.  For, she comes to understand Mrs. Dubose, the Cunninghams, Tom Robinson, Mr. Raymond Dolphus, Boo Radley as well as Calpurnia, Jem, Aunt Alexandra, and her father.

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