Skip to main content

How do Atticus, Calpurnia, and Jem help Scout mature?

Atticus helps in Scout's maturation in many ways, most importantly with his presence as a firm (but fair) disciplinarian who makes himself available to Scout so she may reason out the many questions and frustrations that occupy her young mind.


A prime example of Atticus' ability to help Scout mature is his advice early in the novel, couched in terms a child could understand, that "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ....

Atticus helps in Scout's maturation in many ways, most importantly with his presence as a firm (but fair) disciplinarian who makes himself available to Scout so she may reason out the many questions and frustrations that occupy her young mind.


A prime example of Atticus' ability to help Scout mature is his advice early in the novel, couched in terms a child could understand, that "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Scout goes on to apply this lesson to many of the people of Maycomb County, most notably Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, some of the area's eccentric ladies, and poor residents like the Cunninghams and the Ewells.


Though her older brother Jem grows impatient at times with Scout, he is often willing to tease out the mysteries of their young lives together and field her inevitable questions while serving as a fairly dependable protector during their escapades in and around Maycomb. This allows Scout the room to mature at a fairly leisurely pace. During the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem often serves as the interpreter of the action in the court for Scout, as they sit together in the balcony with Reverend Sykes and the other black citizens watching the trial.


Scout claims that Calpurnia doesn't care for her, since Calpurnia is often the first to criticize Scout's dress, speech, or actions. Jem and Scout invite Walter Cunningham home for supper (lunch) after it is revealed he has no lunch on the first day of school (and after Scout had attacked Walter for involving her in a controversy in the eyes of the children's teacher). Scout then humiliates Walter after he pours what Scout views to be an inordinate helping of syrup on his vittles; Calpurnia calls Scout into the kitchen and scolds her for treating her guest so rudely, helping Scout acquire an important lesson in manners.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more