What was calpurnias explanation

In the American South during the s, segregation was not only the norm, it was the law. Blacks were given special places to sit, they often used separate entrances, and they used separate restrooms and drinking fountains. The fact that blacks can't sit on the main floor of the courtroom or that they have to let all the white people into the courthouse before they can begin going in themselves, is an accurate description of what would've happened at such a trial. When Reverend Skyes offers the children a seat in the "Colored balcony," they happily and naively accept.

They have no idea that they're breaking a cultural taboo. Many whites would miss the trial before they would sit amongst people of another race. Ironically, Scout feels like they have a better view from the balcony than they would from the floor — unfortunately, what they're going to see won't be pretty. Significant, too, is that four black people rose to give the minister and three white children their front-row seats.

Some would argue that they gave up their seats out of respect for Reverend Skyes; others may say that they gave up their seats out of respect for Atticus. In truth, they would be expected to give up their seats for any white person who wanted them.

Lee introduces an interesting discussion of what makes a person a member of one race or another through the character of Dolphus Raymond — a white man, rumored to be a drunkard, with biracial children. Worse than being black is being "mixed. Colored folks won't have 'em because they're half white; white folks won't have 'em 'cause they're colored, so they're just in-betweens, don't belong anywhere.

When Jem points out some biracial children, Scout can't tell that they're "mixed" and wonders, then, how Jem knows that they aren't also mixed. Jem has discussed this topic with Uncle Jack, who says that they may have some black ancestors several generations back.

Somewhat relieved, Scout determines that after so many generations, race doesn't count, but Jem says, "'around here once you have one drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black.

The importance of place again comes to light in these chapters. As the children watch the town heading for the courthouse, "Jem gave Dill the histories and general attitudes of the more prominent figures. What they take for granted is news to Dill, which forces them to look at their town in a different light. Place is also important in the sense that Dill feels compelled to return to Maycomb, even though that means running away from home.

Dill is unhappy with his new stepfather, but readers sense that summers in Maycomb have become part of Dill's sense of place. After two summers in Maycomb, he belongs there. Maycomb may not be a very nice town to live in if you aren't white, but for Dill, the town is a sanctuary when things are stormy elsewhere. For Scout, Maycomb and her family are as much a part of her as her own skin.

Listening to Dill's reasons for leaving his home, Scout "found myself wondering. Even Calpurnia couldn't get along unless I was there. They needed me. Later, she and Dill discuss why Boo Radley has never run away — he surely must not feel wanted. Dill muses that he must not have a safe haven "to run off to.

In these chapters, Lee uses Dill and Jem to show the contrast between childish innocence and adult maturity. Dill shows the last vestige of childhood innocence by being the only one of the three still scheming to get Boo Radley out of his house. By suggesting that a trail of candy will make Boo leave his home, Dill still applies methods that would appeal to children, not adults.

These small disappointments and challenges hint at the larger inconsistencies and unexpected outcomes of Tom Robinson's trial, which follows. For some time now, Scout and Jem have railed against people who insulted Atticus' decision to defend Tom. However, in these chapters, they begin to understand the importance of other people's opinions about them, especially Aunt Alexandra who "never let a chance escape her to point out the shortcomings of other tribal groups to the glory of our own.

Calpurnia worries about what others think as well. She is fanatical about Jem and Scout's cleanliness and attire when she takes them to church with her because "'I don't want anybody sayin' I don't look after my children. The children don't understand prejudice at its basest level, and Calpurnia seems to not possess it either.

Consequently, the children are surprised when they ironically experience prejudice while attending Calpurnia's church. There, a churchgoer named Lula confronts Calpurnia with, "'I wants to know why you bringin' white chillun to nigger church. In this instance, the children are like mockingbirds — they're just there to please Calpurnia and worship.

This experience will give the children more compassion toward Tom's treatment from a white jury. However, just as every white resident of Maycomb isn't prejudiced, not every member of Calpurnia's church is, either. Both Reverend Skyes and Zeebo are quite glad to have them and tell them so.

The children are further surprised to hear Calpurnia talk like other black people. Scout comments "The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one, to say nothing of her having command of two languages. If Scout were raised in a prejudiced household, she would find this other "language" inferior. In their childish innocence, Jem and Scout are surprised to find that only four people in Calpurnia's church can read. They have no understanding that for the most part, Maycomb's black population is denied an education.

In fact, when Calpurnia remarks that black people don't age as quickly as white people, Jem seriously suggests, "'Maybe because they can't read'" as though reading is a burden that not everyone needs to shoulder. Lee uses the children's ignorance to underscore the injustice African Americans receive in all aspects of their lives. All white children — even the Ewells — are afforded the opportunity to learn to read. Scout and Jem's surprise helps readers understand this unfairness at a deeper level.

Remarkably, Calpurnia doesn't lament the African-American position in Maycomb society or try to explain prejudice to the children. Chapter 2. Scout explains that Calpurnia taught her cursive on rainy days to keep Scout out of her hair.

Chapter 3. At the table, Atticus and Walter discuss farming. After lunch, Scout tells Atticus that Calpurnia is horrible and asks him to fire her.

Atticus stonily refuses, so Scout concentrates on Calpurnia is oddly kind to Scout and insists she missed Scout and Jem, so Scout decides Chapter 4. Calpurnia calls them in for lemonade and as they sit on the porch, Jem announces expansively Chapter 8. Calpurnia arrives and Jem and Scout race outside. Jem scolds Scout for eating the soggy snow By afternoon, the snow stops, and it freezes. She wakes Scout and Jem sleep until noon, when Calpurnia wakes them and sends them to clean up the yard.

Chapter Annoyed, Scout asks Calpurnia what Atticus can do. He drags Scout home and asks Calpurnia to come look at Tim. Jem mimes how Tim is moving—like his right legs are Atticus and Mr. Heck Tate, the sheriff, arrive in the car.

Calpurnia explains that Tim is just twitching, not running, so they decide to wait for him Calpurnia assures Scout that Jem is just growing up and invites Scout to join her in Scout heads for the kitchen. Calpurnia asks what to do about church this week. Scout points out that Atticus left collection Reverend Sykes leads Calpurnia , Scout, and Jem to the front pew. Calpurnia gives dimes to Scout and Jem, telling Scout peppers Calpurnia with questions and learns that Tom is in jail Aunt Alexandra tells Calpurnia to take her suitcase upstairs.

Jem takes it and Aunt Alexandra tells Scout that she