jhokhjlklb;lkok;kl;[kl;ok;kl;lk;k;lkmjl;jlkmkl;kmklmklknlknjknln,nm.,.n.knl/nThe significance comes from the fact that their attitudes are polar opposite.

"Atticus seemed to enjoy it, but Aunt Alexandra, who was sitting in a corner quietly sewing, put down her embroidery and stared at us. “You all were coming back from Calpurnia’s church that Sunday?”

Atticus sees Calpurnia as an integral part of the family; Aunt Alexandra sees her as a bad influence and wants her fired. Alexandra feels that Calpurnia has over-stepped her bounds. Nonetheless, Atticus acts with as much tact as he can muster.

“Alexandra, Calpurnia’s not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have got along without her all these years. She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are. Besides, sister, I don’t want you working your head off for us—you’ve no reason to do that. We still need Cal as much as we ever did.”
Source(s): To Kill A Mockingbird gloria l #330829
Jul 26, 2013 9:24 PM
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In many southern families,( not like in the movie The Help ) , Afro - Americans were no different than any other employees except that many of them were harder working than many. They were not seen as inferior but as equals. Assuming they were educated, well mannered and honest like Calpurnia, they were treated like family. A superior education is most often one received at home in many parts of the world. Most southern white children learned work ethics, honesty and integrity from their parents regardless of class, religion or race.

Atticus, because he is a man, has more freedom to defend Calpurnia as well as to make larger decisions about his children and how they are raised. Alexandra, nevertheless, is probably more concerned about the children and their personal safety. Perhaps because she was a woman her decisions were based more on concern than racism. In fact, most parents , under the circumstances that Atticus had faced at the jail house, would have probably preferred that their children not walk alone in dark and unpopulated area at