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. Answered by Aslan on 11/19/2011 1:00 PM Aunt Alexandra, Scout and Miss Maudie wind up in the kitchen to see why Atticus is home so early. They also hope to instill positive Christian values in Jem and Scout. In To Kill A Mockingbird, how are Aunt Alexandra and Atticus similar. Atticus, along with Calpurnia and his children depict a style of thinking too modern for that time; a feeling of tolerance and acceptance and the ability to look past a person's exterior. Aunt Alexandra represents the conservative side of Maycomb, and the inflexible, narrow-minded thinking of her time. Aunt Alexandra thinks the exact opposite. Compare and contrast the relationship between Jem and Scout and Atticus and Aunt Alexandra in To Kill a Mockingbird. Alexandra is a conventional and traditional Southern lady of her generation. How ... Atticus confesses that he sometimes thinks of himself as a "complete failure" as a ... Atticus Finch & Silas Marner - Good Parents? Aunt Alexandra feels Scout doesn’t behave like the lady she is. ‘Jean Louise, stop scratching your head,’ was the second thing she said.” #2. Atticus has a forward thinking worldview that rejects many Southern conventions Alexandria cherishes, such as pride in family lineage. Don't have an account yet? ...read more. Both are strong people as well, in their different ways. Discuss with reference to the themes of tolerance and family values, using examples from chapters 12-14. She also believes women should support male egos whenever they can, acting as sunbeams in men's life. Atticus for example feel that good people or 'fine folks' are those who do the "best they can with the sense they have", regardless of their family background, wealth, or social status. How does Atticus defend Calpurnia from Aunt Alexandra in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird? She's kind of woman who wears a corset even under her bathrobe. In the novel, there are two major disagreements between Alexandra and Atticus: raising children and race. ...read more. The reason he's home is because he wants to … Atticus and Alexandra also want Jem and Scout to get along with the members of their community. Sign up to view the whole essay and download the PDF for anytime access on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Later, she tries to convince Atticus to get rid of Calpurnia, saying that they no longer need her. Atticus and Alexandra disagree about how to deal with children. 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. Sign up now, Latest answer posted March 18, 2018 at 8:07:54 PM, Latest answer posted January 02, 2019 at 11:18:52 AM, Latest answer posted June 01, 2020 at 11:58:30 AM, Latest answer posted December 29, 2019 at 3:09:52 PM, Latest answer posted January 12, 2019 at 3:21:32 PM. Aunt Alexandra lives at Finch's Landing, the family homestead, with her husband Jimmy. under her bed; she thought it was a snake at first Unlike Alexandra, Atticus does not fit into Maycomb's society and is an outcast because of his progressive beliefs. Atticus and Alexandra are both loving, caring people who are devoted to their families and to each other. Aunt Alexandra and the children remain worried. While Atticus continually shares valuable life lessons with his children, Alexandra attempts to influence them into acting like respectable, well-mannered individuals. She introduces the idea of "Fine Folks" to Scout, who will be forever perplexed about what criteria are used to determine whether or not a family fits this category. that you should live up to your family name. She is also socially prejudiced as she cares about what people will say if a white girl from the 'respectable' Finch family is found in the company of blacks. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. 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). Even in court they are not equal and this is why Atticus is so sure of failure. This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Harper Lee section. On her insistence he tries to tell Jem and Scout to behave in a manner fitting of the Finches; he even tells Scout to apologize to her aunt when she is rude, even though Aunt had no right to interfere. Alexandra is portrayed as an arrogant, prejudiced individual who continually criticizes Scout for her tomboy lifestyle. Aunt Alexandra represents the conservative side of Maycomb, and the inflexible, narrow-minded thinking of her time. In contrast, Atticus is depicted as an affectionate, understanding father who encourages his children to think and act independently. Alexandra would very much like Scout to be socialized into this way of being and disapproves of her niece's tomboy ways. In the book she tries to make up or Atticus by pretending to be nice and to really live up to the Finch family name to excuse the actions of Atticus (defending a "Negro") Comparing the Roles of Aunt Alexandra and Calpurnia. Â, Compare and contrast Atticus and Uncle Jack's attitudes towards the children in To Kill a Mockingbird. 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. 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. Analysis: Chapters 12–13 Aunt Alexandra feels that the children are getting too close to Calpurnia, and she feels that this is not good because she is a mere black cook. Atticus looks beyond blood ties and skin color and judges Calpurnia by her high moral standards, saying, 'Cal's lights are pretty good'. Aunt Alexandra on the other hand has a different opinion: she feels that a person's 'goodness' or respectability depends on his family background, or how long the family has been residing over a single piece of land. She is the sister of Atticus Finch and aunt to Scout (the book's narrator) and Jem. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is also a judgmental individual and prejudiced against lower-class families like the Cunninghams. 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. In contrast, Atticus is a forward-thinking, tolerant man, who believes in racial equality and is not afraid to challenge Maycomb's racist culture. Another reason why he needs to respect her is that she owns finches landing and Atticus was the. Alexandra is a conventional and traditional Southern lady while Atticus is forward thinking.