To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

lalaloo54
lalaloo54
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In "To Kill a Mockingbird," why does Aunt Alexandra represent for Scout "the starched walls of  a pink cotton penitentiary"

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Posted by lalaloo54 on Monday November 3, 2008 at 5:59 PM and tagged with aunt alexandra, characters, quotes, scout, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:


  1. ladyvols1 Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Aunt Alexandra is a person who lives on 'doing the right thing, following the rules, and acting like fine people act.  "She is a conservative woman concerned with social and class distinctions and bound to the traditions of the South. She tries to counteract her brother's liberal influence on his children by reminding them of their family's eminence and by trying to make Scout behave in a more ladylike manner." She wants Scout to behave like the sweet little girl.  To Scout this is like being in prison.  Her Aunt wants her to dress, act, and behave like a nice little girl.  Aunt Alexandra is unbending, like starched walls.  She won't budge away from her values or standards and she wants Scout to be the same way she is.  To Scout this is like living in a nice, pretty prison.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/summary-analysis

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    Posted by ladyvols1 on Monday November 3, 2008 at 8:35 PM