Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis
Unbeknownst to Jem and Scout, Atticus has arranged for Aunt Alexandra to come live with them indefinitely, so that Scout can have some "feminine influence" in her life. Aunt Alexandra leaves her own husband and son behind, but this seems not to bother her at all, really. She fits right in with the women in Maycomb, especially people like Miss Stephanie Crawford, and immediately begins asserting her social dominance. She declares that one poor teenager's suicide is a result of his family's "morbid streak," as opposed to the Funny, Drinking, and Gambling streaks that other families have. That Scout and Jem don't believe in Aunt Alexandra's "Streak" theory causes a bit of tension in the household.
Aunt Alexandra shows Scout and Jem a book written by their Cousin Joshua, who, according to Atticus, went crazy in college and tried to kill the president. When Jem relates this last part back to Aunt Alexandra, she gets huffy and questions whether the children understand how important their heritage is. This leads to an uncomfortable scene where Atticus tries to impress upon them that they're the product of "gentle breeding," though they both know that this isn't really how he feels. He jokes that maybe he's going crazy, too, in an attempt to put Scout and Jem at ease. This is only moderately successful.
Allusion
William Wyatt Bibb (1781 - 1820). A US Senator and the first Governor of Alabama. Scout alludes to Bibb when she explains how, when the Governor sent a team of surveyors to Maycomb, a clever tavern owner by the name of Sinkfield got the surveyors drunk and convinced them to draw their lines in a shape favorable to Sinkfield and, thus, to Maycomb.
Meditations of Joshua S. St. Clair. This is a fake book written by Scout's Cousin Joshua. Aunt Alexandra presents it to Scout in the hopes of interesting her in the Finch family heritage. This backfires.
Reconstruction Era (1865 - 1877). A period directly following the end of the American Civil War, when there was a concerted effort to rebuild the South, first by enforcing the end of slavery and then by reintegrating the South into the Union, ensuring that there would be no more internal conflict. Many Southerners believed the Civil War destroyed their way of life, and this Reconstruction Era brought many "great" families to ruin. As a result, Maycomb grew smaller and more insular, becoming the "tired old town" that Scout described in the first chapter.
The War Between the States (1861 - 1865). Another name for the American Civil War. Though this name was rarely used during the years of fighting, it became popular afterward as former secessionists attempted to avoid the word "civil," which implied that there was fighting between two parts of the United States rather than between the Union and the recently seceded (and, therefore, autonomous) Confederacy. Today, we refer to this war primarily as the Civil War.
Hyperbole
One example of this would be when Scout says Sinkfield owned a tavern at the "dawn of time," meaning that it was ages ago, in her mind. This is yet another example of Scout being unable to understand the subtleties of time and assuming that anything that didn't happen recently is part of the ancient past.
Idiom
One example of this would be when Jem says Cousin Joshua "went around the bend," as in, went crazy and tried to assassinate the President.
Simile
Scout uses a simile when she says Aunt Alexandra fit in "like a hand into a glove."
Themes
Heritage. Of the Finches, Aunt Alexandra is the only one who's truly interested in their heritage. She wants to impress upon Scout and Jem just how genteel and well-bred they are, and so she shows them a very important-looking book written by their Cousin Joshua. This backfires on her, however, and Jem and Scout end up getting a very uncomfortable lecture from Atticus because of it. Scout has, by virtue of her narrative, become a keeper of their family's heritage, but not of the heritage Aunt Alexandra has selectively edited for the public record. Scout tells the reader everything, even and perhaps especially if it's embarrassing.
History. Related to the theme of heritage is the theme of history, which takes a much broader view of the past. Despite not seeming particularly interested in either history or heritage as a child, Scout has become a de facto historian who relates both the public and personal history of Maycomb for the reader's edification.
Expert Q&A
What is Atticus trying to do at the end of Chapter 13 in To Kill a Mockingbird and why does Scout prefer a woman's intervention?
At the end of Chapter 13, Atticus is trying to instill a sense of family pride and heritage in Scout and Jem, influenced by Aunt Alexandra's beliefs about the Finch ancestry. Scout prefers a woman's intervention because she senses that Atticus doesn't genuinely care about these notions and believes women, like Aunt Alexandra, are more concerned with heredity.
What does Atticus tell the children about being Finches in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 13, Atticus attempts to instill family pride in his children at Aunt Alexandra's insistence, highlighting the Finch heritage. However, Atticus's awkward delivery leaves Scout and Jem bewildered, as the concept of family pride is foreign to him. Despite his efforts, Atticus ultimately tells them to forget it, indicating his discomfort with the subject. Scout later reflects on this, humorously noting that such tasks are better suited for women.
In chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what "stuff" is Jem referring to when Atticus discusses the Finch family?
Jem is referring to the "facts of life" in chapter 13 when Atticus awkwardly attempts to convey Aunt Alexandra's rigid views on family reputation and social standing to Scout and Jem. Jem misunderstands, thinking Atticus is talking about sex education, hence his "disgust" at the "stuff." Atticus, uncomfortable with Alexandra's approach, ultimately abandons the effort, recognizing the children's negative reaction and reverting to his own parenting style.
In Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Aunt Alexandra try to change the family?
Aunt Alexandra tries to change the family in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird because she believes Jem and Scout need to understand and uphold their family's social status and heritage. She feels Atticus has failed to instill this in them, prompting her to stress the importance of their "gentle breeding" and appropriate behavior, especially Scout's.
What literary devices are in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Literary devices that can be found in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird include hyperbole, malapropism, imagery, metaphor, simile, dialogue, and dialect.
What does Atticus mean by "the summer's going to be a hot one" in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
When Atticus says "the summer's going to be a hot one," he refers both to the literal heat of Alabama summers and the figurative heat of rising tensions in Maycomb. The upcoming Tom Robinson trial will ignite racial and social conflicts, affecting everyone. Atticus anticipates that defending a Black man will provoke anger, making the atmosphere intense and challenging for his family and the community.
What is "Sinkfield's maneuver" that Scout mentions in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
"Sinkfield's maneuver" in To Kill a Mockingbird refers to the actions of Sinkfield, a tavern owner, who got surveyors drunk and convinced them to place Maycomb's seat of government around his tavern, despite its distance from the river. This led to Maycomb's limited growth and the tendency for families to intermarry, supporting Aunt Alexandra's theory of family "streaks."
What does the line in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird mean: "...one must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can't do anything about them."
In Chapter 13, the line reflects Scout's understanding that sometimes lying is necessary to maintain peace or avoid conflict when circumstances cannot be changed. Scout lies about being happy that Aunt Alexandra is moving in, recognizing that honesty would not alter the situation and might cause unnecessary tension. This moment highlights Scout's growing maturity as she learns to navigate complex social situations with tact and courtesy.
Is Atticus's speech in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird hypocritical?
Atticus's speech in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird can be seen as hypocritical because it contradicts his usual values. He reluctantly delivers a speech about family heritage at Aunt Alexandra's request, emphasizing the Finch lineage and "gentle breeding." This is inconsistent with his character, as Atticus typically values individual merit over ancestry, especially in light of his defense of Tom Robinson, which highlights the irrelevance of background in determining a person's worth.
What does Scout teach Atticus in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 13, Scout teaches Atticus about the importance of staying true to one's values and individuality. When Atticus tries to impose Aunt Alexandra's expectations of proper behavior on Scout and Jem, it results in Scout becoming upset. This moment helps Atticus realize the conflict between societal norms and personal integrity, prompting him to abandon Alexandra's rigid standards and reinforce the importance of staying true to oneself and family values.
What is the connection between the "small hands and feet" quote and the "incestuous streak" comment in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Atticus and Aunt Alexandra are discussing family reputations when Atticus suggests the Finch family might have an "incestuous streak". This is followed by the quote, "Aunty said no, that's where we got our small hands and feet".
The "small hands and feet" quote humorously connects to the "incestuous streak" comment by suggesting that the Finch family's physical traits may result from historical intermarriage among close relatives. Atticus jokes about the genetic consequences of such marriages, while Aunt Alexandra dismisses the idea of an incestuous streak but acknowledges the inherited physical traits.
What is the "Maycomb Amanuensis Club" referred to in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
The "Maycomb Amanuensis Club" in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird is a social group that Aunt Alexandra joins, indicating her active involvement in Maycomb's community life. An amanuensis is someone who takes dictation or shorthand, so the club likely consists of women who are or have been secretaries.
What lessons do Jem and Scout learn in chapters 13-14 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In chapters 13-14, Jem and Scout learn key lessons about family and social values. Chapter 13 shows them the folly of judging others by family history, as Aunt Alexandra pushes them to value ancestry over merit. In Chapter 14, Scout learns the importance of family love after Dill runs away from home, and Jem realizes it's unwise to be authoritarian with Scout. These experiences highlight the importance of individual merit and understanding in family dynamics.
What does Atticus learn from Scout in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 13, Atticus learns from Scout that he should remain true to himself rather than succumb to Aunt Alexandra's expectations for the children to behave as proper Finches. When Scout becomes upset by Atticus's attempt to impose Alexandra's views, he realizes that enforcing these beliefs is not suitable for his family. Scout's reaction reminds him of the importance of authenticity and that impressing others is less important than staying genuine.
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