Who Is Calpurnia in 'To Kill A Mockingbird': Critical Essay

No matter what time period we are in, humans are learning new lessons from every situation they experience. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, was set in the 1960s in Maycomb, Alabama during The Great Depression. Narrator and protagonist, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch learns some important life lessons from her experiences throughout the novel. As she grows older, Scout starts to notice the world around her and witnesses the racial inequalities and prejudices towards different types of people. Her father, Atticus, and maid, Calpurnia have a huge impact on her, as they play an important role in Scout’s life and teach important life lessons such as understanding people from their point of view and treating others with respect and equality.

Atticus, who defends an innocent man accused of rape in court, is the father of Scout Finch and a role model. He emphasizes the importance of having empathy and putting yourself in someone else’s position. In a town like Maycomb County, where the individuals are suffering immensely from 'The Great Depression', Atticus practices the ethic of sympathy and treats the individuals of Maycomb indifferently despite their callous opinions about racial inequality. “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.” (Chapter 3, pg. 39). Here, Atticus explains to Scout the value of having empathy and trying to understand a person’s situation from their point of view. An example of this can be shown when he defends Tom Robinson, an innocent man convicted of raping a white woman. While he knows that his odds of winning the case are low, considering the prejudiced jury, he continued to fight for the freedom of Tom Robinson as he believed it was the right thing to do. Atticus emphasizes the importance of empathy and ‘putting yourself in someone else’s shoes’ in order to consider the condition in which they are and suggests that it is important to associate emotionally with the hardships of the disadvantaged or underprivileged’s situation.

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Atticus also focuses on implanting these values into his children, Jem and Scout. This is shown in the quote when he explains to Jem the importance of understanding a situation that someone else is experiencing through their perspective.“Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes for a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial if he had any, to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback; his kind always does. So, if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take.”(chapter 23, page 238). Through this quote, Atticus reveals to Jem that he would prefer for Bob to target his rage on Atticus, rather than on Bob Ewell's children. He attempts to get Jem to see it from Bob’s point of view and to understand his embarrassment and frustration after only revealing the facts about Bob and the case of Robinson. Atticus plays a positive role in the life of his children by instilling these morals in them throughout the novel by leading by example. He stuck by Tom right to the end, ignoring all the racial prejudices of the people of Maycomb County by empathizing with Tom and continuing to do what he believed was the right thing to do.

Calpurnia, the Finch’s housekeeper, has a significant impact on Scout as she not only acts as a motherly figure to her but also raises her with a positive influence. Throughout the novel, Calpurnia primarily focuses on teaching the children, the value of etiquette and discipline and she wishes for them to grow up with a strong moral education.

In the beginning, Scout describes Calpurnia as strict and demanding and complains about the harsh ways in which Calpurnia punishes her in order to discipline her. Scout states that her “hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard” (chapter 1, pg. 6). We learn through this quote that Calpurnia possibly hits Scout, in order to discipline her. Scout clearly does not like this and sometimes rebels against her teachings.

In chapter three of the book, Calpurnia addresses Scout in the kitchen when she embarrasses Walter Cunningham Jr at the dinner table when he poured syrup all over his meal, and says, “There are some folks who don't eat like us...but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' company and if he wants to eat up the tablecloth you let him; you hear?” ( chapter 3, pg. 26). Calpurnia explains to Scout that she is to treat him equally and with the utmost respect. Essentially, she gives Scout a lesson in etiquette, fairness, and respect. She encourages Scout to consider Walter as an equal and treat him the way she would want to be treated.

As the novel develops, we see the soft side of Calpurnia. She balances her discipline with affection for Scout which she often is very appreciative for. It is proven that Calpurnia values morality and the importance of treating others ‘the way you would want to be treated’. Although Scout does not always appreciate the way in which Calpurnia disciplines her, she is very much grateful as Calpurnia fulfills her responsibility of acting as the motherly figure the children have not been exposed to and raising them as her own kids. Therefore, Calpurnia positively influences both Jem and Scout in the novel and teaches the values of empathy and respect for others in her life. Her impact on the kids as a motherly figure guides Scout in the right direction into her adult life.

Empathizing and treating individuals with respect and equality, regardless of their differences, are common principles and practices that dictate how people communicate with each other and the world surrounding them. It helps individuals consider things from someone else’s perspective and how they feel so that they can react accordingly to a certain situation. The character of Bob Ewell in relation to the theme of empathy and treating people with respect and equality can be shown through his lack of morals.

Bob Ewell frames Tom Robinson for raping his daughter Mayella Ewell primarily because of his race and color. This is a representation of the embodiment of the uneducated and narrow-minded lower class of Maycomb County. When Bob Ewell states in the court during the trial of Tom Robinson, “I saw that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella,” This showed that Ewell judges Tom Robinson more for his race than as a human being He first calls Tom a “black nigger” instead of calling him by his name. He then proceeds to describe how he supposedly raped Mayella by using words such as ‘rutting’, a word typically used in an animal context. Bob represents the lack of morals in the uneducated and ignorant portion of the Southern population. While known as the worst guy in Maycomb, he is a white man which immediately places him above Tom Robinson based on the social and economic status hierarchy during that time. Knowing this, Bob took advantage of his superiority for his own gain only so he might get a few minutes of attention in Maycomb County and look like a local hero for ‘ saving his daughter'. Nevertheless, it appeared like that wasn't enough for Ewell. Bob continues to be disrespectful to Atticus after the trial, because he'd revealed the facts about Bob and the case to the people of Maycomb and Bob doesn't get his 10 minutes of fame. “Too proud to fight, you nigger-loving bastard?” (chapter 23, pg. 237). Bob spits on Atticus, to get revenge for the humiliation he felt after the trial. This shows the disrespect Bob Ewell feels towards Atticus Finch and towards the black community. Due to his lack of education and morals, Bob believes that the only way he can be better than Atticus is to beat him physically, instead of owning up to his mistakes and being the bigger person.

Atticus, however, responds to Ewell’s comments with honor and dignity by walking away. This shows the difference between the two characters and how they represent their values through their actions. Bob clearly could care less about his reputation, whereas Atticus continues to act in compliance with his values and ethics, despite all the difficulties he faces. He not only does so to be a good citizen but also to be a positive role model and influence to his kids in teaching them his principles.