Sample question - CCEAEvidence that Calpurnia is not respected
If you have worked through all the study guides in this section, you will have an understanding of the context, plot, themes and characters in To Kill a Mockingbird.
You could include some of the following points in your essay:
She is treated disrespectfully by Aunt Alexandra, “Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia.”
Calpurnia is viewed with suspicion by Aunt Alexandra, who does not trust her to cook for the Missionary Society, “she did not permit Calpurnia to make the delicacies".
Aunt Alexandra disagrees with Atticus about allowing the children to visit Calpurnia’s home.
Calpurnia is treated with prejudiceAn unreasonable negative opinion of a person or group of people that is not based on actual experience. and is viewed as a negative influence by Aunt Alexandra “… you’ve got to do something about her”. Aunt Alexandra tries to usurp Calpurnia’s position in the children’s lives.
Some members of Calpurnia’s congregation are disrespectful and critical of her for being on such friendly terms with her white employer, “You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here – they got their church, we got our’n.”
Calpurnia is on the receiving end of Lula’s discriminatory and disrespectful comments.
