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1. 
   mrs-campbell Teacher
   High School - 11th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   Scout first describes Calpurnia in chapter 1; she describes her appearance and then the fact that Calpurnia and her had "battles" often.  She mentions Calpurnia disciplining her, calling her home, and keeping her in line.  Right after this though, Scout mentions how her mom died when she was little.  Mentioning her mother so soon after describing Calpurnia seems to indicate that Calpurnia has taken over some of the roles of a mother-in this example the role of disciplinarian and care-giver.  In chapter 3 we learn Calpurnia taught Scout how to write, and Calpurnia also gives Scout a lecture when Scout is commenting rudely on the excessive amount of syrup Walter is putting on his food.  So, she teaches her to read, and about social decency. 

   But Calpurnia isn't all discipline and no love.  At the end of chapter 3, she brings Scout in, offers to make cracklin' bread for her, and "bent down and kissed" Scout on the head.  Scout says that she must have "sensed my day had been a grim one."  So she cares deeply for the children, and shows love to them when they need it.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird

   http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/chapter-3-summary-analysis

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   Posted by mrs-campbell on Thursday January 8, 2009 at 8:46 PM
   
   

2. 
   nevershoutjaejae

   since Scout and Jem's mother died, Calpurnia is the closest thing they have to a mother.

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   Posted by nevershoutjaejae on Thursday January 8, 2009 at 9:27 PM