The collection at Calpurnia's church where she takes Jem and Scout is for Helen, the wife of Tom Robinson. That these poor members of a church without even hymn books would take up a collection for another of their community is in sharp contrast to Aunt Alexandra's Missionary Society in the very next chapter that sends money overseas to remote Africa not knowing whether the "charity" gets to anyone anyway. Also, it points out the hypocrisy of the ladies who "charitably" give to Africans, but are unconcerned about their neighbors who suffer. This action of the members of Calpurnia's church underscores the meaning of the aphorism that "true charity starts at home."
No comments:
Post a Comment