Eyes can be conveniently deceived by just hiding the truth and composing a new reality. A new reality that is created by wearing a mask. A mask that hides all the sorrows, misery, hardship, insecurities, imperfections and many more things. A mask that is just a performance for others to see and dwell in it. A mask that makes the eyes believe that what they observe is the reality, yet it might not be close to the truth. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee develops the idea that sometimes a person is what they portray to be by showing the mask Calpurnia wears.
A mask that distinguishes a person’s authentic self and their fabricated self is worn by Calpurnia in the novel. Calpurnia works for the Finch family and is a mother figure to
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“She asked, in tones I had never heard her use. She spoke quietly, contemptuously” (Lee 135.) This quote shows the contrast of tones of Calpurnia that she uses at home and in the church. The word contemptuously gives evidence about the change of tone from being lovely to having hatred and disrespect. “But Cal, you know better,” (Lee 143) this quote was said by Scout and she was explaining to Calpurnia about not using derogatory terms. This is also an example of Calpurnia’s mask being exposed because earlier in the novel one of the characteristics of her was being wise. Calpurnia using derogatory remarks in her dialect at church contradicts with the wise Calpurnia at home. “They’s my comp’ny, " said Calpurinia. Again I thought her voice was strange: she was talking like the rest of them” (Lee 135.) This quote shows Scout noticing the change of tone in Calpurnia's voice and her mask dropping. This shows that Calpurnia sounded like an uneducated person despite the fact that she is not uneducated. The mask of being perfect and wise was finally lifted from Calpurnia and the truth was finally
Calpurnia and Atticus are characters who behave like other people expect them to behave. First, Calpurnia code switches when she goes to church. She says she has to do this because then other will think she is “better” or “too good” for them in a derogatory way. She is expected to behave a certain way to be able to “fit in” and blend among others. Also, when Atticus is speaking to the jurors, he makes himself comfortable to get on the level of others.
Calpurnia has feared safety for the children. She fears what would happen to Atticus’s children if she sat in the front of Atticus’s car. Mr. Uele already has a close watch on Atticus since Atticus is defending Tom Robinson that was accused of raping, beating, and taking advantage of Mr. Ewell’s daughter Mayella. Calpurnia is afraid of what Mr. Ewell might do if he saw her in the front of Atticus’s car. He would have either gone after her or attacked Atticus’ children for revenge on Atticus for accepting or being open minded with colored people.
Calpurnia distinguishes when to pomp kindness and harshness to the children. She helps Atticus with disciplining the kids and helps around the house. Despite the Negro stereotype of being imbecilic, she portrays insight on how to live a double life as a civilized Negro. “It’s not necessary to tell all you know. It’s not ladylike-in the second place, folks don’t’ like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do.
As a result, Calpurnia would have empathy for Walter. She was infuriated at Scout because she didn’t want the same inadvertent discrimination happening to Walter, as she had experienced it first-hand. Calpurnia emphasizes the fact that social status does not determine a person’s worth and teaches Scout to treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of social status. Calpurnia deems treating anyone disrespectfully or making rude comments in their home unacceptable, as it is against her values and those of the Black community. Moreover, Calpurnia relates to Scout as she is a mother figure to her.
Calpurnia, as a Negro herself is even intimidated by Lula’s approach towards Jem and Scout: “ ‘Don’t you fret,’ Calpurnia whispered to me, ‘but the roses on her hat trembled indignantly’ ” (Lee 119). It is evident that when Lula taunted the children and Calpurnia, it
Calpurnia is known to be humble, motherly, and defensive. Calpurnia is a very humble person. She speaks little of her personal life, or any achievements she may have accomplished in the past. When Scout goes with Calpurnia to church she discovers that Calpurnia lives a separate, intriguing life outside of the Finch's home. Scout states, "That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me."
Understand?’” (pg.136). The most important or relevant time that Atticus sticks up for his belief that Calpurnia deserves the utmost respect no matter her skin color is when Aunt Alexandra tells him she thinks Calpurnia shouldn't live with them and be around the children. Atticus says: “Alexandra, Calpurina’s not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn't have got along without her all these years’”
Calpurnia explains to Scout that everyone is not as fortunate as her and that she needs to understand that. She later explains to Scout that she cannot act as if she's better than anyone. Cal teaches here that you do not disgrace your company and show respect towards
Jem didn't want to spend so much time with Scout anymore. Jem asks Calpurnia, ¨So, that's why you don't talk like the rest of them?¨ (Lee 125). Calpurnia didn't want to talk like the rest of the people at the church because she didn't want to feel out of place by telling everyone what to do. Jem says, ¨…why do you talk nigger-talk?¨ (Lee 125). At the church Calpurnia talks quietly and listens to people.
She had always been too hard on me, she had at last seen the error of her fractious ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so” (Lee 28). As it's stated in the quote that Calpurnia is hard on Scout, but it is out of love for her that she is hard on them. She just wants the kids to grow up and have the best life that they can. Calpurnia had been in their life when their mother died.
Calpurnia is Jem and Scouts mother figure, because their mother died due to a sudden heart attack. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to her church, First Purchase, and introduces them to the fact that not all black people are bad people. She shows courage because it’s nerve racking to bring 2 white children to an all black church. Calpurnia says, “I don’t want anybody sayin’ I don’t look after my children” (Lee pg. 118). Calpurnia takes pride in Jem and Scout and shows a massive amount of courage taking these children to her type of life, and to her church.
Calpurnia provides a wholly acceptable route for Atticus to communicate to the black community and for them to talk to him. This is possibly the most important reason for Calpurnia’s
This part in the book shows Calpurnia caring for the kids spiritually, as well as spending time
The relationship between Calpurnia and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is interesting because in spite of their love-hate relationship Calpurnia is the closest figure to a mother both Scout and Jem have. We get to know Calpurnia through Scout’s eyes as a mother-like figure who is hard on Scout in some situations and loving in others. We get to see the tough, bossy, and strict side as well as the soft, nurturing, kind and motherly side. Even though she is just an African American housekeeper, she has been a member of the Finch’s Family and means much more as she is one of the few black people in Maycomb who is educated. She teaches Scout to write during rainy days as well as carrying the responsibility of teaching Scout and Jem
In the book, Calpurnia is such a large part of the kids lives. Scout hangs around with her, and sees Calpurnia as the female influence in her life. Calpurnia is the one Scout goes to for someone to talk to when she can’t talk to Atticus. So, when they take away the amount of Calpurnia 's existence in the film, it eliminates part of Scouts background. It is almost like you don 't get to know the whole sum of Scouts life without Calpurnia in the movie.