To Kill A Mockingbird: Character Relationships

     I have gotten to know and love many characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, but I would have to say that two of my favorites are Calpurnia and Miss Maudie. They both share many similarities and differences, but that's what makes their relationships to Scout even better, because she has both of them with their similarities and differences in her life to help her find her way. One of the greatest and most obvious similarities between these two characters are that they both serve as mother figures to Scout. This leads to most of their other similarities and difference because of their different influences and behaviors towards Scout. Because Scout lost her birth mother at such a young age, she grew up mostly under the influence of Calpurnia and Miss Maudie, and they have both taught her so much. They have helped her along as she is growing up and becoming more curious and intelligent everyday. Scout can really approach them about anything on her mind, and they will be there for her. Like when Dill and Jem were excluding Scout from their games, Miss Maudie was there to talk to her and serve as company. In the novel it says, “But I kept aloof from their more fool-hardy schemes for a while, and on pain of being called a girl, I spent most of the remaining twilights that summer sitting with Miss Maudie Atkinson on her front porch.” Calpurnia shows that Scout can come to her whenever she becomes lonely or needs anything, like Miss Maudie, also. When Jem seems to be growing up, Calpurnia notices that Scout seems to feel lonely as she can't really play or talk to Jem at this point. Calpurnia then says, "He's gonna want to be off by himself a lot now, doin' whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We'll find lots of things to do in here." Calpurnia and Miss Maudie surely always do seem to be there when Scout feels desolate or lonely. Another similarity between the two are the fact that they both take pride in the way that they look, and when they are cleaned up, they look quite incredible. We can see this from Calpurnia in the novel when Calpurnia makes sure herself and the children are extra clean and well dressed for church, and when Miss Maudie is described as a "magisterial beauty" once she has cleaned herself up. They both make sure they look exceptional, as they do not want to be misconceived by the way they look.

Now, with the many similarities between Calpurnia and Miss Maudie, there are also many differences. To start off, Scout, though loves them both dearly, views them both with different perspectives. Calpurnia is seen as being more strict, giving tough love, and having great power over the children. Though, Miss Maudie is seen to be more gentle and kind towards the children, showing her love a little more explicitly towards people, unlike Calpurnia, who might be showing love in a way that is not seen by the naked eye. We can see these ideas about these characters through multiple instances, but we know that Scout feels this way about the ladies when she describes Calpurnia as having a "Tyrannical Presence" while she describes Miss Maudie as having a "Benign Presence". Regardless of how they are perceived or show their love and affection for not only Scout but people in general, they are both commonly compassionate women. Another difference between these two characters is that Calpurnia actually lives with the Finch's as their Cook and Maid, while Miss Maudie is simply a close family friend and neighbor. So, Calpurnia has probably been seen as more of a mother figure, as she physically lives in the same house as Scout, and can have more of an influence on her at home than Miss Maudie can. One last difference between these two characters are that Calpurnia is African American, and Miss Maudie is White. Skin color might not seem like a very big difference now a days, but in the 1930's, it showed great diversity. African American's were discriminated against at this time in history, and received a lot of prejudice and racism. So, Miss Maudie was most likely treated with more respect than Calpurnia, because she was White skinned, and did not receive any type of prejudice like Calpurnia might have.

Even though Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, and Scout are all very kind, intelligent, well spoken people, I wouldn't say any of them are direct alter egos of each other. Scout reflects Calpurnia and Miss Maudie more in this aspect, than they reflect Scout. This is because they were the two women that helped Scout to achieve these qualities. So, I don't think that Miss Maudie or Calpurnia are exactly alter egos of Scout, but I do think that Calpurnia serves as a foil to Scout. Calpurnia is pretty stern and proper. She's not obnoxious in this way, but she makes sure that she acts correctly at all times, and has a stricter way of living life. Though, Scout seems to be very outspoken, and doesn't always make sure she has a filter. She occasionally says things that could offend another, and Calpurnia would never allow things to be said without a filter. So when Scout does say something offensive, it's very obvious by the way Calpurnia reacts that she in fact shows to be opposite of this trait of Scout's. We can see this come out in one instance when Walter Cunningham comes over for lunch, and Scout questions the fact that he pours syrup all over his meal. The novel says, "Walter lured Syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand. He would probably have poured it into his milk glass if had not I asked what the Sam Hill he was doing. The silver saucer clattered when he returned the pitcher, and he quickly put his hands in his lap. Then he ducked his head. Atticus shook his head at me again. 'But he's gone and drowned his dinner in syrup,' I protested. 'He's poured it all over.'" Then Calpurnia pulls Scout aside and says, "There's some folks who don't eat like us," she whispered fiercely, "but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, ya hear?" Then Scout responds, "He ain't company Cal. He's just a Cunningham." Finally, Calpurnia says, "Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty!" From this predicament, we can clearly see that Cal and Scout are Foils of each other due to the fact that Scout is very outspoken and opinionated; not having a filter, while Cal acts more polite and filtered, and would never say something disrespectful to someone it might offend.