During the ladies social in chapter 24, Aunt Alexandra is
barely holding it together. She is worried about her brother Atticus, and is having a
hard time with the hypocritical and racist remarks of others. When Miss Maudie
intervenes, she is grateful to have someone on her
side.
She says:
“His food doesn’t stick going down, does
it?”
This statement outlines
the hypocrisy of those who are willing to enjoy Atticus's hospitality and eat his food,
even though they talk about him behind his back.
Scout is
surprised that Aunt Alexandra could be grateful for anything. She is puzzled by what
her aunt would thank Miss Maudie for.
She gave Miss Maudie a look of pure
gratitude, and I wondered at the world of women. Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandra had
never been especially close, and here was Aunty silently thanking her for something. For
what, I knew
not.
This is an
example of Scout not understanding the adult world. She doesn’t understand how
politeness requires Miss Maudie to say what she means to say indirectly, and Alexandra
to thank her indirectly.
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