Miss Maudie Atkinson gives
both Jem and Scout plenty of advice in To Kill a Mockingbird. She
teaches Scout about the ways of the mockingbird; she discusses with Jem the importance
of Atticus to the community; she tells them both about Atticus' skills--both as a lawyer
and a marksman; and she gives them cake when they deserve it. Jem and Scout both know
that they can come to Maudie for questions or if they have a problem. She doesn't pry
into their lives; she is simply "our
friend."
Calpurnia is more
than just the Finch housekeeper: She is also the surrogate mother for Jem and Scout (at
least until Alexandra arrives). She teaches them manners and how to behave with company.
She rarely voices her opinion about others (especially white people), but the children
do pick up some factual information from her on occasion. She has taught both Jem and
Scout how to write cursive, and she protects them when they need protecting (ex: the mad
dog, and Lula at the church) and worries about them when they are absent (ex: the
trial). Scout hates her when she is younger (Jem already seems to understand her), but
she comes to realize the scoldings she gets from Cal are heartfelt and out of a love for
them.
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