What Does Calpurnia Teach in to Kill a Mockingbird

In Harper Lee's timeless novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, we meet Calpurnia, the African American housekeeper for the Finch family. She’s not just there to cook and clean; she's actually a huge influence on Scout Finch, our young protagonist. Through what she teaches Scout, Calpurnia helps her make sense of complicated stuff like race, class, and empathy. Let's dive into some key lessons Calpurnia imparts to Scout and how these lessons tie into the broader themes of the story.

The Importance of Manners and Respect

One big lesson Calpurnia teaches Scout is about manners and respect. Seriously, she's always reminding Scout that being kind and respectful is crucial, no matter who you're dealing with or where they're from. Remember when Scout makes fun of Walter Cunningham for pouring syrup all over his food? Calpurnia wasn't having any of that nonsense.

At first, Scout doesn't get why Calpurnia's so strict about this stuff. But as the story rolls on, it starts clicking for her. Like when she goes to church with Calpurnia and sees everyone showing respect and looking out for each other in the community—it’s eye-opening. It's through moments like these that Scout learns to value treating everyone with dignity.

And it's not just about being polite one-on-one. Calpurnia also talks to Scout about respecting where you come from. When Scout asks why they speak differently at home than around white folks, Cal explains it's about honoring your roots. This lesson not only gives Scout a better grip on her identity but also pushes back against the racial prejudices running rampant in Maycomb.

Empathy and Understanding

Another crucial lesson is all about empathy and understanding. Even with all the racial tensions bubbling up in Maycomb, Calpurnia tells Scout to walk in someone else's shoes every once in a while—get their perspective. Hanging out with Cal really helps Scout see past just what’s on the surface.

A good example? When Scout wonders why Cal switches up how she talks around her African American friends, Cal explains she's just trying to fit in and be accepted. This explanation hits home for Scout, making her rethink her own behavior. These little epiphanies help Scout start seeing how unfair society can be.

Cal’s role in bridging gaps within the Finch household further underscores empathy’s importance. She's an African American woman working in a mostly white house but still has such a close bond with Jem and Scout—you'd think they were her own kids. Through this relationship, she shows empathy isn’t limited by skin color or social rules.

Challenging Prejudices

The lessons don't stop there; they also challenge the way Scout thinks about people before knowing them well enough. Growing up in Maycomb means facing racism firsthand, but Cal reminds her that not everyone fits those ugly stereotypes.

A standout moment is during Tom Robinson's trial—Cal insists on taking Jem and Scout to see what's happening in court despite all the racial tension around it. This experience gets Scout questioning if justice is truly fair or if prejudice runs too deep.

Cal being strong and independent shakes up traditional gender roles too—especially important for young girls like Scout looking for role models who defy societal norms by valuing education over mere domesticity.

Conclusion

Wrapping it up: What did we learn from everything Cal taught us through To Kill a Mockingbird? A lot! From manners/respect down through empathy/challenging biases—we've got ourselves quite an enlightening guide helping scout navigate complex issues beyond Maycomb's borders into becoming someone more compassionate than ever imagined possible thanks largely due diligence invested lovingly therein by none other than our very own beloved teacher herself—Cal!

• Bullock Jr., C., & Tice-Jackson, S.R.. (2019). Revisiting Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird: History influences literature revisited - University Pressbooks Online
• Pilgrim B.E.. (2018) The Role Of Empathy Within Literature And How It Reflects Society: A Case Study From TKMB - Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies In Education
• Simmons M.H... 2020 Ethical Lessons Embedded In TKMB As Represented By Key Characters Like Atticus Finch And Others Including But Not Limited To His Trusted Maid/Confidante Ms.CalPurnIA™ Critical Inquiry Into Cultural Dynamics Across Socioeconomic Statuses Among Rural Southern Townships During Early-mid Twentieth Century America Pre-Civil Rights Movement Era- Historical Perspectives On Literary Classics®