Scout gains new respect for Aunt Alexandra when she follows her aunt's example by composing herself and returning with her to the guests at the Missionary Tea.
During the gathering in the parlor, Scout is uncomfortable in her dress and nervous about being around so many women as they "trap her with innocent questions," laughing at her responses. The most hypocritical of all the ladies is Mrs. Merriweather. While she speaks in glowing terms of the missionary Brother Hutson who saves souls in Africa, she derogates the people in Maycomb who are "good, but misguided" in their treatment of blacks in the town. Her not-too-subtle insults about Atticus's defense of Tom Robinson as she stands inside the Finch home are clearly disrespectful to Alexandra and Jean Louise.
Then, after Atticus returns home in order to ask Calpurnia to accompany him to the Robinson home because Tom has been shot as he tried to escape, Alexandra becomes emotional. She decries the townspeople who have been "...willing to let him [Atticus] ruin his health doing what they're afraid to do," but Miss Maudie helps her compose herself. Maudie also orders Scout to "stop that shaking."
Aunt Alexandra rose and smoothed the various whalebone ridges along her hips. She took her handkerchief from her belt and wiped her nose. She patted her hair and said, "Do I show it?" (Ch. 24)
Then, Miss Maudie asks Scout, "Are you together again, Jean Louise?" And, together they return to the parlor. Scout narrates, "After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I." Clearly, Scout has gained a new respect for her aunt.
No comments:
Post a Comment