What can you learn from the women of Maycomb about proper and improper behavior in To Kill a Mockingbird?To Kill a Mockingbird *Chapter 24* -...

The meeting of the Missionary Circle in Chapter 24 reminds
me of an old adage:

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"You can dress them up, but you can't take them
out." 

Several of the women
present behave quite badly in their discussions about the Mrunas, "darkies," proper
etiquette and the like. The highly religious ladies gather to discuss ways to help the
heathen Mruna tribe in Africa--a worthy cause--but their goodheartedness apparently
doesn't extend to the African-American citizens of Maycomb. Scout doesn't understand all
of the conversation, but she understands
when

• Miss Stephanie makes fun of
  her


• Mrs. Merriweather threatens to fire her servant,
  Sophy


• Mrs. Farrow stutters about "no lady (feeling) safe
  in her bed" (with Maycomb Negroes running
  about)

White people who believed Tom Robinson
was innocent were "hypocrites," according to Mrs. Merriweather. But the real hypocrites
were the women who claimed to be caring of others in faraway lands but who had no
sympathy for people in their own town. Miss Maudie called Mrs. Merriweather out for one
of her insensitive remarks, and Aunt Alexandra gave Maudie "a look of pure gratitude"
for doing so. Maudie and Alexandra decided to keep Atticus' news of Tom Robinson's death
to themselves, probably because most of the other women present would have considered it
a cause for celebration. Scout decides that she definitely prefers the company of
men.

     Mr. Heck Tate did not try to trap you
with innocent questions to make fun of you; even Jem wasn't highly critical unless you
said something stupid. Ladies seemed to live in faint horror of men... but there was
something about them I instinctively liked... they weren't--
    
"Hypocrites!"