Calpurnia
Introduction
Calpurnia’s role is to act as the mother that Scout and Jem lost when they were small and nurture
them into young people with strong morals
Significant character in the theme of education and teaches Scout many significant lessons about
prejudice, tolerance and respectability.
Harper Lee uses her to break down the stereotypical boundaries between black and white
communities during The Great Depression. She’s a direct challenge to the racial prejudice that Lee
experienced during this era; a time during which discrimination and the lynching of blacks was
common.
First Impressions and Mother Figure
Stern and strict – borne out of love and concern for the children
‘cook’ defines her role – but she is so much more significant. Her job is not just confined to a
physical one, it is also moralistic and nurturing; she fulfils the position of mother to the children.
‘all angles and bones’ – adjectives initially define her as a harsh character.
‘hand was as wide as a bed slat and twice as hard’ – Imagery – similes used to describe Scout’s
experiences of Calpurnia. She obviously physically punishes her, but even though oppositional to
Atticus’ approach to parenting he allows this because he respects Calpurnia and trusts her with his
children. Also, it is shocking in the context because a black woman should not have the authority to
hit a white child – Jim Crow laws. Message - there is very little difference between families and
people despite the colour of their skin.
‘always ordering’- in charge and dominant within the Finch family. Verb ‘ordering’ indicates a sense
of superiority; she is resolute and resolved to get the children to follow her instruction and
guidance.
‘tyrannical presence’ – adjective’ ‘tyrannical’ – connotations of a dictator so Scout obviously feels
almost oppressed by Calpurnia at the start.
‘battles were epic and one-sided’ – hyperbolic imagery of ‘battle’ implies that Scout feels
confrontation with Calpurnia – maybe Scout is averse to fully accepting the power Calpurnia has
within the household because she petulantly dislikes being told what to do, maybe more so
because Calpurnia works for them. However, Calpurnia receives full support from Atticus –
Calpurnia’s style is more appropriate in this 1930s context because parenting methods then were
traditionally more disciplinarian. The phrase: ‘one-sided’ she challenges the idea in Southern racist
culture that the white was always superior and always won. Message of understanding- and family
position.
Education
Well-educated compared to other black characters - during the 1930s they were denied education
and expected to work laborious jobs for little pay. Segregation meant they couldn’t go to school
with white people; consequently most were illiterate.
‘Atticus said Calpurnia had more education than most coloured folks’. – she is out of the ordinary
and Atticus respects and admires this. Her understanding of the significance of education and her
determination to teach herself and her son how to read shows her strength of spirit. Harper Lee
presents how educated people are more likely to behave appropriately than uneducated ones.
‘When in tranquillity her grammar was as good as anybody’s’ – when she is emotional or angry
her speech becomes erratic – conveys how hard she must work merely to speak properly. This
represents her dignity and pride as the is conscious of how others see her.
‘no sentimentality’ ‘seldom rewarded’ – her educative methods are rigid and harsh, but her
seriousness stems from her views of education as an utterly consequential necessity – she wants
Scout to become a freely moral, unprejudiced woman.
Introduction
Calpurnia’s role is to act as the mother that Scout and Jem lost when they were small and nurture
them into young people with strong morals
Significant character in the theme of education and teaches Scout many significant lessons about
prejudice, tolerance and respectability.
Harper Lee uses her to break down the stereotypical boundaries between black and white
communities during The Great Depression. She’s a direct challenge to the racial prejudice that Lee
experienced during this era; a time during which discrimination and the lynching of blacks was
common.
First Impressions and Mother Figure
Stern and strict – borne out of love and concern for the children
‘cook’ defines her role – but she is so much more significant. Her job is not just confined to a
physical one, it is also moralistic and nurturing; she fulfils the position of mother to the children.
‘all angles and bones’ – adjectives initially define her as a harsh character.
‘hand was as wide as a bed slat and twice as hard’ – Imagery – similes used to describe Scout’s
experiences of Calpurnia. She obviously physically punishes her, but even though oppositional to
Atticus’ approach to parenting he allows this because he respects Calpurnia and trusts her with his
children. Also, it is shocking in the context because a black woman should not have the authority to
hit a white child – Jim Crow laws. Message - there is very little difference between families and
people despite the colour of their skin.
‘always ordering’- in charge and dominant within the Finch family. Verb ‘ordering’ indicates a sense
of superiority; she is resolute and resolved to get the children to follow her instruction and
guidance.
‘tyrannical presence’ – adjective’ ‘tyrannical’ – connotations of a dictator so Scout obviously feels
almost oppressed by Calpurnia at the start.
‘battles were epic and one-sided’ – hyperbolic imagery of ‘battle’ implies that Scout feels
confrontation with Calpurnia – maybe Scout is averse to fully accepting the power Calpurnia has
within the household because she petulantly dislikes being told what to do, maybe more so
because Calpurnia works for them. However, Calpurnia receives full support from Atticus –
Calpurnia’s style is more appropriate in this 1930s context because parenting methods then were
traditionally more disciplinarian. The phrase: ‘one-sided’ she challenges the idea in Southern racist
culture that the white was always superior and always won. Message of understanding- and family
position.
Education
Well-educated compared to other black characters - during the 1930s they were denied education
and expected to work laborious jobs for little pay. Segregation meant they couldn’t go to school
with white people; consequently most were illiterate.
‘Atticus said Calpurnia had more education than most coloured folks’. – she is out of the ordinary
and Atticus respects and admires this. Her understanding of the significance of education and her
determination to teach herself and her son how to read shows her strength of spirit. Harper Lee
presents how educated people are more likely to behave appropriately than uneducated ones.
‘When in tranquillity her grammar was as good as anybody’s’ – when she is emotional or angry
her speech becomes erratic – conveys how hard she must work merely to speak properly. This
represents her dignity and pride as the is conscious of how others see her.
‘no sentimentality’ ‘seldom rewarded’ – her educative methods are rigid and harsh, but her
seriousness stems from her views of education as an utterly consequential necessity – she wants
Scout to become a freely moral, unprejudiced woman.
