In chapter 12, the reader learns that Calpurnia cares how she is viewed by the people in her church. Scout realizes that she had “another life” outside of working for the Finch family. From when it was decided that Jem and Scout would attend church with her she began preparing them so she wouldn’t be viewed badly. “It’s like we were going to Mardi Gras’ said Jem. ’What’s all this for, Cal?’ ‘I don’t want anybody sayin’ I don’t look after my children she muttered.”(Lee 157). Throughout this chapter the reader sees how dolled up she make the kids and how she changes the way she talks to become like the other church goers. Scout never thought much of how Calpurnia’s life was outside of the Finch household. It wasn’t until they went to church, that Scout realized Calpurnia had a family and friends in the church. Scout being curious by this asks Cal to visit her house sometime. Calpurnia changes herself from how she acts at the Finch household to how she acts among the other colored people in Maycomb.
I agree with everything that you said. Scout is just beginning to understand that Calpurnia has more dimensions to her. Scout has gone through stages in how she viewed Calpurnia as well. First she thought that she was to strict and didn't like her at all. Then it became confusing to Scout when Calpurnia took a turn towards being nice when she started school. Now she realizes that Calpurnia, someone she has known all of her life, has a life outside of Scout's. Scout realized that Calpurnia had a reputation to uphold and that she wanted to make a good impression on her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteAlong with them going to church and Scout and Jem learning about Calpurnia's love for the church, they also learn Calpurnia has two identities. As stated on pg. 142 "That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me." She spoke as more educated in their house, but when they went to church and were around blacks she spoke what she calls "colored-folks' talk". She explains that she needs to talk differently to seem more lady-like in different circumstances. Overall she seems to care very much about how she is seen, and how she take cares of people and the children.
ReplyDeleteI agree but I think that even when Cal modifies how she acts depending on where she is, she gets resentment for it. Lula, a woman who goes to Cal's church says, "You ain't got no business brin' white chillun here - they got their curch"(Lee 158). Lula doesn't want Cal to bring the Finches to their church and I suspect she also doesn't approve of Cal having a good relationship with the Finches.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The children used to see Calpurnia as simply their hired help and someone who looks after them. Because of their child mindset as well as the racism imbedded in their society they never stopped to think of her as a person outside of her influence on their life. Them finally realizing that her life doesn't revolve around them shows their maturity and is a step towards them being able to empathize with people who different from them
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. The children used to see Calpurnia as simply their hired help and someone who looks after them. Because of their child mindset as well as the racism imbedded in their society they never stopped to think of her as a person outside of her influence on their life. Them finally realizing that her life doesn't revolve around them shows their maturity and is a step towards them being able to empathize with people who different from them
ReplyDeleteI agree with you of how Calpurnia's attitude and personality changes when he goes to church. Scout and Jem finds out about the other side of Calpurnia's life. I disagree with you Colin that Cal gets resentment from Lula not from the way she acts, but because Atticus' children is not part of the church. Lula does not want white children like Scout and Jem to go to church because they already have their own church. When Lula confronts Calpurnia, she says, "You ain't got no buisness bringin' white chillun here-they got their church, we got our'n(Lee 158)." Although Lula does not agree with Cal bringing the children, everyone else greets them warmly. Also, I think that Scout and Jem never thought about Cal having a life other than being their housekeeper. When they think about Cal, they think about her as a maid, and not about the other side of her life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Scout had never seen Calpurnia in the way she is portrayed in Chapter 12. Calpurnia had always kept her outside life to herself from the Finches, and that never enabled Scout to think of her that way. After Chapter 12, Scout will start seeing Calpurnia in a whole new way, as someone who can read, and has family and friends, not a their helper. Calpurnia gave a whole new perspective of herself to Jem and Scout, and I feel that will change their lives at home with her forever.
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