TKAMB Ch. 23-End

I am not just a woman, I am an African American woman. I believe that makes my view of the text even more complex. When reading this text, I was automatically connected with Calpurnia not just because she is a woman of color but because I have seen her all through my life through literature, in films, and pop culture. I want to see more of her side of the story because she is considered a “flat character” because she seemingly from Scout’s point of view, remains the same. However, because of her status in the novel and since Scout is still so young and cannot completely be in Calpurnia’s shoes, we are missing her views regarding the Robinson case and how that affects her life. Instead, she is just seen as a loyal companion to the Finch family.

In response to Chapters 23-end, select and respond to one of the following prompts:

How do you think your gendered self affects your reading of this text? Be specific.

In chapter 24, Aunt Alexandra invites Scout to her missionary circle tea party, Calpurnia, of course, is not a part of the party. She is seen but is not supposed to be heard. I want to know what she thought about Aunt Alexander’s comments regarding how the African American community reacted after Robinson’s trial and death. How did that affect her?

Through this scene, I think Harper wanted the readers to examine the role that women, particularly white women, were supposed to hold in society. Since we are seeing Scout wearing a dress and being a hostess, I think Harper wanted us to view how Scout is being inducted into pro

per female society. However, Calpurnia is excluded because of her SES and race although Scout is allowed into the conversations. Because Calpurnia is a black servant and they most likely did not want her to be a part of their conversations as they discuss how the “blacks” were misbehaving in their society Since Tom’s trial and his death.

This scene is a prime example of the “Cult of True White Womanhood” in how it displays how woman should behave in society. This value system also permeated the African American community, forcing women of color to behave in white female virtues of domesticity, and submissiveness although society. However, due to social prejudice and racism women of color were often excluded.

Being an African American woman, I even see this popular culture when women of color do not act a certain way they are not seen as a true woman. When women of color try to follow these virtues, in their own community they can be seen as outcasts Or if they do not follow these female roles they are considered “ghetto.” Women of color cannot seem to fit in in any circle.