Describe Aunt Alexandra's character and appearance in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird.

When Aunt Alexandra shows up, she acts (as Scout notes at the end of Chapter 12) as if she had been there "every day of her life." Alexandra quickly establishes herself as an authority ordering Cal to take her bag, then, like an overbearing mother, telling Scout to stop scratching her head. 

Scout believes that it was Alexandra's idea to come stay with the children more than it was Atticus's. Alexandra notes that "we" (she and Atticus) felt it was time for the children to have another adult influence, notably a feminine influence for Scout. Scout is quick to think that Cal is the feminine influence in her life but she does not voice this to Alexandra. 

Alexandra fits right in with the social structure of Maycomb. She fits right in with the Missionary Society. Unlike Atticus, Alexandra insists upon upholding class distinctions and family history. Alexandra wants to teach the children that they are not run-of-the-mill. In other words, she wants them to learn to behave like their predecessors. However, she instills this lesson with a sense of privilege, essentially telling the children that they belong to a class which is better than some other classes of people in Maycomb. Scout and Jem recognize this kind of elitist thinking is not something Atticus would teach them.

This was not my father. My father never thought these thoughts. My father never spoke so. Aunt Alexandra had put him up to this, somehow. 

So, although Atticus agrees that Alexandra should stay, he does eventually tell the children to ignore the importance of family history and class distinctions. This is one of the key differences between Alexandra and Atticus. She thinks certain people are better than others, based on family history and income levels. Atticus is much more thoughtful and treats others with respect; he doesn't form judgments based on class, income, or family history. 

Who does Aunt Alexandra resemble in Chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra can really be seen as a composition of a couple of different characters, and, as such, she reminds us of other characters within the book.

One character she reminds us of is Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose since both women represent and hold on to the old ways of the South. One aspect of the old Southern ways Aunt Alexandra holds on to concerns her views of how ladies should behave. As a result of her old-fashioned views, Aunt Alexandra is very critical of Scout, and her criticisms are reminiscent of Mrs. Dubose's cantankerous criticisms. Aunt Alexandra frequently ridicules Scout for wearing overalls. Specifically in Chapter 13, we learn that Aunt Alexandra thinks Scout is a much poorer conversationalist than she should be as a girl. In fact, Scout announces, "It was plain that Aunty thought me dull in the extreme, because I once heard her tell Atticus that I was sluggish" (Ch. 13). Aunt Alexandra's criticisms of Scout are very reminiscent of Mrs. Dubose's criticisms of Scout, whom Scout once quoted as saying, "Don't you say hey to me, you ugly girl! You say good afternoon, Mrs. Dubose!" (Ch. 11).

In addition, while Aunt Alexandra and Atticus differ significantly in their views, especially concerning racial issues, Aunt Alexandra is actually very much like Atticus; we could even see her as a female version of her brother. One way in which she reflects Atticus's nature concerns the fact that, just like Atticus, she is a leader of society. Her leadership skills are seen in the fact that she joins her own Missionary Society, is seen as a reputable hostess, and even becomes Secretary of the Maycomb Amanuensis Club. Scout further describes that Aunt Alexandra was highly esteemed by Maycomb's society for the following reasons:

To all parties present and participating in the life of the county, Aunt Alexandra was one of the last of her kind: she had river-boat, boarding-school manners; let any moral come along and she would uphold it; she was born in the objective case ... . She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn. (Ch. 13)

Similarly, Atticus is a celebrated and trusted lawyer, trusted to the extent that Judge Taylor singled him out to handle a difficult defense case. What's more, Atticus is elected to the state legislature each year without opposition. The only difference between Atticus and his sister Alexandra, aside from racial views, is the fact that his sister believes that, as a woman, her activities should be restricted to "feminine" activities such as hosting.

How does Aunt Alexandra change in Chapter 24 of To Kill A Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is sympathetic about Tom's death and treats Scout with compassion.

Aunt Alexandra has clearly been affected by her time at the Finches’ house.  She seems to be softening somewhat.  For example, the day of the party she lets Calpurnia serve.  She also seems sympathetic to Scout, having her join the ladies only for refreshments because she thinks Scout would be bored.

Aunt Alexandra has always had an interest in Scout’s upbringing.  She feels that Scout should wear dresses and not climb trees.  The missionary meeting is part of this process.  She is happy to see Scout, who has succeeded in not spilling the coffee pot.

My journey was successful: Aunt Alexandra smiled brilliantly. “Stay with us, Jean Louise,” she said. This was a part of her campaign to teach me to be a lady. (Ch. 24)

While Alexandra seemed to be extremely bigoted, going by her comments about Atticus, she appears to have changed when the conversation at the missionary circle gets heated.  Mrs. Merriweather and Mrs. Farrow talk about how to treat black folks in an incredibly condescending manner.  Miss Maudie makes it known that she does not agree, and Alexandra sides with Miss Maudie.

She gave Miss Maudie a look of pure gratitude, and I wondered at the world of women. Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandra had never been especially close, and here was Aunty silently thanking her for something. (Ch. 24)

Scout is baffled by this conversation.  To her, Miss Maudie and Aunt Alexandra are opposites.  However, Alexandra desires to be supportive of her brother.  She is “alarmed” when Atticus comes in and tells Calpurnia that Tom Robinson is dead.  He is Atticus’s client, after all, even if he is black.  She clearly demonstrates sympathy for Tom when she learns that he was shot at the prison.

“Didn’t they try to stop him? Didn’t they give him any warning?” Aunt Alexandra’s voice shook. (Ch. 24)

Alexandra tells Atticus that Tom’s death is “the last straw.”  Clearly to her, shooting Tom Robinson was wrong.  However Alexandra felt about Atticus defending a black man before, she has reversed her attitude.  She cares about her brother, and does not want to see him hurt.  She also seems to care what happens to Tom Robinson as a human being, not a black man.

Miss Maudie helps Aunt Alexandra and Scout keep it together, and they return to the room full of ladies.  Alexandra actually smiles at Scout, being supportive.  Scout admires her ability to “be a lady” despite all that is happening.  The two have finally come to an understanding.

In this chapter, we see a different side of Aunt Alexandra.  The view presented by Francis at Christmastime is not flattering.  Scout also feels suffocated by her aunt’s attentions.  Yet in this chapter it becomes clear that Alexandra really does care about her brother.  She is not as bigoted as we once thought.  Apparently Alexandra has the capacity for change, and for empathy.

What character traits does Aunt Alexandra exhibit during a crisis in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout and Jem's Aunt Alexandra is a divisive figure in the Finch household. Judgmental and intolerant, she castigates Scout for associating with Walter Cunningham, a desperately poor classmate, and she is critical of her brother, Atticus, for agreeing to defend Tom Robinson, the African American accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. 

Aunt Alexandra, as Scout points out, is not Scout's favorite person: "I was sure she was swapped at birth and that my grandparents had gotten the wrong child." Alexandra is the antithesis of Atticus, and her presence invariably upsets Scout's world. Scout's cousin Francis, Alexandra's grandson, accusingly confronts Scout one day, referencing his grandmother's comments regarding Atticus's decision with regard to Tom Robinson:

How does Aunt Alexandra's character change in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra continually disagrees with her brother, Atticus, throughout in the novel in regards to several issues. She objects to the way he raises his children without teaching them about their family history, as well as his choice to defend Tom Robinson in front of the Maycomb community. There are several scenes throughout the novel where Alexandra argues with Atticus over these issues and more. In Chapter 13, Alexandra encourages her brother to speak with Jem and Scout about their family's background, but Atticus fails after his first attempt to talk with his children. In Chapter 14, Alexandra urges Atticus to fire Calpurnia, but Atticus defends Cal's reputation and refuses to fire her. Clearly, Aunt Alexandra learns quickly that Atticus will stand up to her and she will not get "her way," which is one reason she becomes less objectionable and more likable as the novel progresses.

Following the trial, Aunt Alexandra meets Atticus at the door and says, "I'm sorry brother" (Lee 284). Scout mentions that she is shocked because she has never heard Alexandra refer to Atticus as "brother." Alexandra shows compassion and sympathy towards Atticus because she realizes the stress and courage it took to defend Tom Robinson. In Chapter 24, Atticus interrupts the missionary circle to tell Calpurnia and Alexandra that Tom Robinson was shot dead in the prison earlier that day. Alexandra is numb and comments,

"I can't say I approve of everything he does, Maudie, but he's my brother, and I just want to know when this will ever end...It tears him to pieces. I've seen him when--what else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?" (Lee 316).

Alexandra displays her true feelings for her brother and shares Atticus' pain. She has witnessed firsthand how the Tom Robinson trial has negatively affected her brother. Alexandra's awareness of Atticus' burden is another reason why she becomes less objectionable to the reader and more likable. She understands that arguing about minor issues is trivial compared to the stress Atticus is under. She realizes that Atticus needs support, rather than criticism.