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Why is Calpurnia a significant character in To kill a Mockingbird?

Calpurnia is important in the story because she raises the Finch children, and her role in Atticus’s family is an example of an African American treated with respect. 


Since Scout and Jem’s mother is dead, Calpurnia is an important part of the household.  Even though she is African American, Atticus expects the children to treat her with respect. Scout cares for Cal, who has raised her like a mother. 



Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember. (Ch. 1) 



When Alexandra comes, she wants to send Cal away because she is no longer needed.  Alexandra doesn't think it is proper that the children have no white woman in their lives.  Atticus won't hear of it though.  He needs Cal.


As important as Calpurnia is in Scout’s life, she is not in fact an actual member of the family.  This is made clear to Scout when Calpurnia takes them the children to her own church.  Calpurnia is confronted by Lula, who objects to the white children’s presence and Calpurnia’s designation of them as her company. 



“They’s my comp’ny,” said Calpurnia. Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them.


“Yeah, an‘ I reckon you’s comp’ny at the Finch house durin’ the week.” (Ch. 13) 



This incident draws attention to the fact that Calpurnia does not behave like the other African Americans when she is with the Finches, but she does when she is at church.  Calpurnia talks like them, and Scout wonders why.  It is because Calpurnia straddles two worlds.  She is more educated than most of the people at her church.  There are only four who can read, and two of them are Cal and her son Zeebo.  The Finch family taught Cal to read. 


Calpurnia helps the reader understand the lives of African Americans in Maycomb.  She has things better than most, because she is treated well.  However, she is still not equal.  Scout and Jem have never been to her house.  When she sleeps at their house, she sleeps in a cot in the kitchen even though they have a spare bedroom.  As loved and respected as she is, she is still hired help.

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