What Is Calpurnia's Role In To Kill A Mockingbird

The role at home was filled by the women, and often cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children was expected. Calpurnia fills this role in Jem and Scouts lives. “She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl”(Lee 115-116). Scout realizes girls are often in the kitchen at work. The idea girls can do something, and do develop skills is shown to Scout. She is surprised with the new information which shows the thoughts of society, and how they are making an impression on on Scout. If women are thought to have no skills, then what 7-year-old would want to be one. What young girl would have dreams of growing up to be a young women with no skills outside of cooking or asking too many questions. Women were not only confined to their homes, but confined by their appearances. Often Aunt Alexandra criticizes Scout on her image. “I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants”(Lee 81). Aunt Alexandra is a prime example of an
With society being represented through Aunt Alexandra and the pressure women face to fit the social norm is strenuous on their relationship. Others have views on women in the 1930s, many were unsupportive. “Simply fire the women, who shouldn’t be working anyway, and hire the men. Presto! No unemployment. No relief rolls. No depression”(Ware). The statement is very similar to how Aunt Alexandra feels about the way Scout dresses and her company. She feels women should not step out of their role at home. Scout is looked down on because of her overalls, being friends with the boys, and having no romantic interest in them. Mrs. Dubose also berates Scout for not saying up to the code of society. Often shouting rude thing at her does not help the self esteem of a young