How does Aunt Alexandra fit into Maycomb's society in To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 13?

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra is very representative of the Old South. In fact, we can even consider her to have been a Southern belle in her youth, a young, unmarried woman representative of Southern upper-class society, and she still displays her Southern belle characteristics. Therefore, she fits in with Maycomb society as one of its leaders.

We know Aunt Alexandra embodies a Southern belle because she is descended from Simon Finch, founder of Finch's Landing, who died wealthy. In fact, Aunt Alexandra still lives at Finch's Landing, a farm upon which stands a very large house built by Simon Finch, described as having six bedrooms. In Chapter 13, we also learn that she "owned a bright green Buick and a black chauffeur," another sign that she was and still embodies a very wealthy Southern belle.

As a Southern belle, she has very strict notions about how the Finch children should behave. Aunt Alexandra is constantly ridiculing Scout for her boyish behavior and attire and, in Chapter 13, comes to live with the Finches to give Scout "some feminine influence" since, soon, Scout will be old enough to "become interested in clothes and boys—." In addition, she feels that children of "gentle breeding," like the Finch children, should take pride in their family heritage and always behave like ladies and gentleman.

Once she settles into Maycomb, Aunt Alexandra, having been a Southern Belle, presumes a feminine leadership role. Aunt Alexandra exhibits her leadership role by leading a Missionary Society and becoming Secretary of the Maycomb Amanuensis Club.

What insight is gained into Aunt Alexandra's character in chapter 24 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Alexandra shows us a side of compassion and understanding for the first time in chapter 24.  When in the kitchen, she shows compassion for her overworked and under-appreciated brother.

"They're perfectly willing to let him do what they're too afraid to do themselves--it might lose 'em a nickel.  They're perfectly willing to let him wreck his health doing what they're afraid to do."

She doesn't always agree with what Atticus says and does, but she does worry about him.

Then Alexandra shows true class to Scout when they have to go back into the room with the ladies.  She, Maudie and Scout enter after the bad news, and Scout watches Alexandra and she saw "her head go up as she went through the door."  Alexandra could have spread the gossip to this circle of ladies, but instead "looked across the room at [Scout] and smiled" inviting Scout to offer cookies to Mrs. Merriweather.

Scout sees her as a true lady because of her demeanor after hearing such horrible news.  Scout says, "After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I."

What insight is gained into Aunt Alexandra's character in chapter 24 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

The reader learns that Aunt Alexandra takes part in the women's missionary circle. This is not surprising since Alexandra takes pride in being part of Maycomb's (white) social world. She invites Scout to stay and visit with them because she wants Scout to learn how to be a lady. This is also nothing new. Despite Alexandra's interest in being a part of this hypocritical world, she is aware of those hypocrisies and does not necessarily agree with them. When Miss Maudie subtly challenges Mrs. Merriweather by exposing her hypocrisy, Alexandra secretly thanks her. Here, we see Alexandra's more open-minded or liberal side. 

When Aunt Alexandra, Scout, Miss Maudie, and Cal learn that Tom has been shot and killed, Alexandra is very upset at Tom's death and that Atticus has to be the one to take care of such issues. Miss Maudie tells her that it is an honor in that the fair people of Maycomb know that Atticus is the best person for the job. 

"The handful of people in this town who say that fair play is not marked White Only; the handful of people who say a fair trial is for everybody, not just us; the handful of people with enough humility to think, when they look at a Negro, there but for the Lord’s kindness am l." 

Aunt Alexandra, after having silently thanked Miss Maudie for calling Mrs. Merriweather on her hypocrisy, evidently accepts Miss Maudie's analysis. Then, Miss Maudie, Alexandra, and Scout return to the missionary meeting in the next room. Scout notes that if Aunty can be a lady at a time like this, so can she. We learn that Aunt Alexandra is not as one-dimensional as she appears earlier in the novel. Alexandra is conservative and traditional but in this chapter she does exhibit a critical attitude towards hypocrites such as Mrs. Merriweather. Being traditional but with a progressive brother (Atticus), Alexandra represents someone conflicted with a loyalty to the past but with an awareness of progress. 

What is Scout implying about Aunt Alexandra's place in Maycomb and her relationship with Jem and herself in To Kill a Mockingbird?

When Scout says that Aunt Alexandra slips right into Maycomb society, but does not fit into her world, she is talking about a definite generation gap in education, communication and understanding. First of all, Scout is a tomboy who likes to dress in overalls, beat up boys, and hang out with Jem and Dill during the summer. Aunt Alexandra never was a tomboy and was brought up wearing dresses, attending tea parties, and always doing what society expected of a young, privileged white girl. Based on how each of them were brought up, there are bound to be differences of opinion. What Scout doesn't know from her upbringing is how to behave like the privileged, Southern white girl that she "should" be. Aunt Alexandra, then, is asked to move in to help with the kids, and she focuses on teaching Scout everything she knows about being socially accepted in an age-old society. Scout clarifies Aunt Alexandra's way of life as follows:

"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 an incurable gossip . . . She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn" (129).

In these ways Aunt Alexandra fits into adult world of Maycomb's women like a glove. Scout and Jem, on the other hand, do not have any of these things in common with her. The generation gap is large, mostly because their mother died when they were very young and they were not exposed to such teachings for a long time. All they had was Calpurnia, who is black, and couldn't have invited white women over for tea. Atticus worked and had no time, interest, or understanding of the world of adult women in Maycomb, so he couldn't teach Scout the ways of women's society. Scout's amazement that Aunt Alexandra fit like a glove into Maycomb's social world creates a lesson by itself as she watches that world come into her home little by little. For example, Aunt Alexandra often hosts missionary tea parties. By doing this, Aunt Alexandra shows Scout by example how to be a hostess, make the refreshments, and behave in polite society. Eventually, Scout is given the chance to participate in these feminine gatherings, but it takes some time for her to learn about it.

In the end, it is Scout who must grow into the world of adults, but Aunt Alexandra will never be able to live in the world of a child. And since Aunt Alexandra has no concept of how Scout and Jem have been brought up so far, she cannot relate to anything they do or say. All she can do is contradict them and try to teach them her ways.

What is Scout implying about Aunt Alexandra's place in Maycomb and her relationship with Jem and herself in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Jem and Scout saw Aunt Alexandria as an unwanted intrusion in many ways.  They were also acutely aware of what they considered her flaws; they had been raised according to a strict moral code, and Aunt Alexandria exhibited many behaviors that went (or seemed to go) against that code.  Jem and Scout were also able to view Aunt Alexandria's behaviors through children's eyes, which usually see only black and white, wrong or right.  They could not easily overlook her failures and "sins."

While there were many upstanding and exemplary members of Maycomb society, most were normal human beings prone to imperfections and fundamentally flawed.  Gossip, "backstabbing," self-servitude, rudeness, and a common lack of morality was evident in most.  Because Aunt Alexandria seemed no better than the general population (and was close to a main topic of gossip," she was included by those around her.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what is Scout's opinion of Aunt Alexandra?

In Chapter 9, Scout compares her Aunt Alexandra to Mount Everest because she is "cold and there." Scout does not appreciate her aunt's austere attitude and disagrees with Alexandra's view that she should dress and act more feminine. Scout views Aunt Alexandra with contempt because she is continually criticizing her lifestyle and tries to control her. Scout tries her best to avoid Alexandra, and even attempts to attack her after Alexandra calls Walter Cunningham Jr. "trash." Throughout the majority of the novel, Scout struggles to get along with her aunt. However, at the end of the novel Scout begins to notice Alexandra's soft side. The more Scout matures, the more she begins to realize that underneath Alexandra's hard exterior is a family member who wishes her the best.

What are some character traits of Aunt Alexandra in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is self-righteous, rude, and prejudiced, and she doesn't fit into the world of children at all. She seems to be the toughest on Scout for wearing pants and not a dress. At Christmas time in chapter nine, Scout argues that she can't do anything in a dress. Aunt Alexandra counters with the claim that she shouldn't be doing anything that requires pants. Aunt Alexandra also tells Scout she should be a ray of sunshine for her father, to which Scout replies that she can be a ray of sunshine in pants just as well. Aunt Alexandra demonstrates her self-righteous and rude personality by telling Scout the following:

". . . Aunty said that one had to behave like a sunbeam, that I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year. She hurt my feelings and set my teeth permanently on edge. . ." (81).

Needless to say, Scout isn't excited when Aunt Alexandra comes to live with them in chapter 13. Scout notices that her aunt mingles easily with the neighborhood gossips almost immediately. Scout says, "Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me" (131-132). That is to say that Scout's aunt is just as prejudiced and interested in gossip as rest of the town and not a progressive thinker like Scout and Jem are. And she's not a child, so she certainly doesn't understand childlike things.

Another time that Aunt Alexandra proves that she is prejudiced against other people who are not in her social class is when Scout says that she would like to invite Walter Cunningham over to play sometime. When Aunt Alexandra strictly declares that Scout will do no such thing, Scout asks why. The response she gets is the following:

"Because—he—is—trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what. You're enough of a problem to your father as it is" (225).

One might also add that Aunt Alexandra is manipulative as well as prejudiced because she tells Scout that she disappoints her father, but that's not what Atticus would say at all. He loves Scout for who she is, not for what she wears or with whom she associates as a child.

What are some character traits of Aunt Alexandra in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus's sister, Alexandra, is a gossip who is obsessed with the importance of the heritage of the people of Maycomb County. Scout discovers when Alexandra comes to live with them that her aunt is nearly equal to Miss Stephanie Crawford's own gossiping skills. Aunt Alexandra

... was an incurable gossip...

and she quickly became fast friends with Miss Stephanie. They

... had long visits... consisting mostly of Miss Stephanie shaking her head and saying, "Uh, uh, uh."

Alexandra judged everyone around her by their family upbringing, declaring that there were "Fine Folks," families with "streaks," and some--like the Finches--who were brought up through "gentle breeding."

I never understood her preoccupation with heredity.

Alexandra felt that the Finches were at the top of Maycomb's hereditary hierarchy, and some people, like Walter Cunningham Jr., were not fit to associate with Jem and Scout.

How did Aunt Alexandra describe the Cunninghams in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra does not mince words with regard to how she feels about the Cunninghams. She says they are not people with which the Finches associate, and this especially confuses young Scout.

When Scout first begins school at the start of the novel, she has a disagreement with Walter Cunningham because she feels he had gotten her "off on the wrong foot" with her new teacher. At recess Scout is ready to beat him up, but Jem stops her and invites Walter home to have lunch at the Finch house. Scout gets in trouble for pointing out Walter's unusual behavior at the dinner table. She recalls the encounter later in chapter twenty-three, while having a family discussion that begins about Bob Ewell and moves on to the Cunningham family. It is clear, and not surprisingly, that Aunt Alexandra is not as charitable toward Maycomb's lesser folks as Atticus is. While Atticus defends the Cunninghams, noting that once you have them in your corner they always have your back, Alexandra sees things much differently. For example, she says:

Jean Louise, there is no doubt in my mind that they're good folks. But they're not our kind of folks.

Scout recalls her aunt's refusal to allow her to visit Calpurnia's home. Even in her innocence, Scout notices a similarity between that situation and the one she faces now:

This time the tactics were different, but Aunt Alexandra's aim was the same.

So, Scout questions Alexandra, wondering why, if the Cunninghams are good folks, she cannot be nice to them. Her aunt insists there is no difficulty in being nice:

You should be friendly and polite to him, you should be gracious to everybody, dear. But you don't have to invite him home.

It is relatively easy to see that Aunt Alexandra's social values allow one to be civil and "gracious" to someone from the same town. But someone who is not considered a social equal is, in her mind, to be kept in his or her place; one that does not intersect with her place. She points out that the Cunninghams are in no way related and also that no Finch woman would ever be interested in a Cunningham man. And the only way a Cunningham will be allowed at their house, according to Scout's aunt, is if he comes to see Atticus on business.

Scout points out that she wants to play with Walter, and asks why she cannot:

She took off her glasses and stared at me. "I'll tell you why," she said. "Because—he—is—trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what. You're enough of a problem to your father as it is."

Before Scout can react (physically, it would seem) to Aunt Alexandra's edict, Jem steps in and leads her sobbing from the room.

In the same way that Scout cannot see anything wrong with Dolphus Raymond or Tom Robinson, she does not understand the harm in playing with a youngster that is, even by her aunt, deemed from a family of "good folks." The irony, of course, is that at least one Cunningham (on the jury) can see beyond race to Tom Robinson's innocence, while Alexandra's social equals possess no tolerance, or even sympathy, for the wrongs done to the Robinson family.

This incident is at the core of the struggle regarding the racial divide in the imaginary Maycomb, as well as the South in general, at that time. It reflects the battle with and the sometimes disheartening outcome in, as Atticus puts it, "the secret court of men's hearts."

How does Aunt Alexandra embody the characteristics of a "Southern lady" in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is a completely conventional Southern lady. She so different from Atticus that Scout believes she must be a changeling who was swapped with the real Finch baby at birth. Aunt Alexandra is a proper "Southern lady" and wants Scout to conform to stereotypical notions of feminity. Aunt Alexandra is also racist and classist and believes strongly in the importance of family pride and knowing one's family history.

Atticus and Alexandra clash over allowing Scout to wear overalls, with Atticus defending Scout' desire for this sartorial choice. As Scout describes it, however, Aunt Alexandra's

vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life.

Atticus rejects these conventional feminine behaviors for Scout, allowing her to be the person she wants to be.

Knowing that the Tom Robinson trial is going to cause trouble in the community, Atticus wisely has Aunt Alexandra come and stay with the family to add the right note of respectability to the household. This, however, creates tension: Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to act like a little lady. Scout is appalled by the missionary society teas her aunt hosts, where she hears racist talk that does not bother Alexandra. Aunt Alexandra is equally appalled that Atticus has not taught his children to have pride in their ancestry. Atticus prefers for people to take pride in their own accomplishments, not rest on the borrowed glory of what their ancestors have done.

Unlike both Atticus and Calpurnia, who insist on Scout being polite to poor Walter Cunningham when he comes for dinner and pours molasses on his food, Aunt Alexandra won't invite Walter to the dinner table. She fears he will be a bad influence on the children.

Aunt Alexandra's conventional outlook and ways of living help the reader understand how the majority of white Maycomb thinks. She also serves to highlight how different from the community the attitudes of Atticus and his children are.

What role does Aunt Alexandra play in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and what do Scout and Jem learn from her?

Aunt Alexandra is Atticus's sister. She comes to live with his family in chapter 13 to influence Scout to dress and act like a proper Southern Belle. Aunt Alexandra represents traditional southern womanhood and is an austere, confident woman who has an affinity for her heritage and participates in social events with the local white ladies. She is a rather strict, elitist woman and views Scout with contempt for her tomboyish personality. Scout is intimidated by her aunt and compares to her Mount Everest. Alexandra also argues with her brother over how to properly raise Jem and Scout and is judgmental about who the children associate with. She also has an entirely different set of values and subscribes to a different ideology than Atticus. She does not agree with her brother's defense of Tom Robinson and believes that he is bringing shame on their family.

Despite Aunt Alexandra's rough edges and prim nature, she indirectly teaches Scout the importance of maintaining her composure when facing adversity and desires what is best for the children. Privately, Aunt Alexandra reveals her love for Atticus and is compassionate following Bob Ewell's vicious attack. Scout accepts that she will one day have to enter the world of women and begins to view Alexandra with a different perspective once she begins to mature.

What are Aunt Alexandra's character traits in To Kill A Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is quite different from Atticus; she is an adherent of traditional upper class Southern values and mores.

In Chapter 13 when Aunt Alexandra arrives at the Finch home, she enters as though she is Scarlett O'Hara, speaking peremptorily to the Finch maid: "Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia. As Scout notes, her aunt's visits are rare, but when she does come she "traveled in state."  She announces the purpose of her visit, informing Scout that it is time she have some proper feminine influence. Scout does not question her as it is Sunday, and on the Lord's Day, her aunt is "formidable" since she has her figure held captive in a corset.

Her presence is recognized by the neighborhood: Miss Maudie bakes an elaborate cake, Miss Stephanie visits for extended periods, Miss Rachel invites her next door for coffee in the afternoons, and even Mr. Nathan Radley comes to the end of his yard to tell her he is glad to see her. After she has "settled in" with Atticus's family, Aunt Alexandra becomes an integral part of Maycomb high society. She joins various social clubs and religious organizations; in short, she demonstrates that she is "one of the last of her kind" with her boarding-school manners. She upholds "any moral that comes along," and she speaks in the objective case. She is "an incurable gossip" as are all the ladies of her ilk. 
Further, Aunt Alexandra passes judgment upon everyone, it seems, and categorizes them into a "type." She speaks of certain families having "streaks." For instance, she stereotypes Penfield women as "flighty," and she upholds a caste system in Maycomb, assuming certain attitudes and behaviors for different families that carry through the generations.

But, despite all her prejudices, Aunt Alexandra loves her own family. Also, despite her disagreements with Atticus on his child-rearing practices and his being the defending attorney in the trial of Tom Robinson, she sympathizes with him and is outraged by the cruel insults hurled against him by some townspeople. In Chapter 24, at the Missionary Tea for instance, she emotionally asks Miss Maudie "...what else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?" Then, her emotional outburst notwithstanding, Aunt Alexandra smooths her whalebone corset, pats her hair, and resumes her position as hostess and re-enters the room, ever the lady.  

What does Aunt Alexandra tell Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra has numerous conversations with Scout throughout the novel, and they are typically regarding Scout's attire or her 'tomboy' lifestyle.

In Chapter 9, Scout comments that Alexandra was fanatical regarding her attire. Scout says that Alexandra told her,

"I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants." (Lee 108)

Aunt Alexandra is the quintessential Southern Bell and believes that a female should wear dresses, stay inside the house, and socialize with other women. She is austere and follows the strict gender roles of the Antebellum Period. Her views on femininity often clash with Scout's personality as she attempts to teach Scout how to become a "model young lady."

In Chapter 23, Scout wants to play with Walter Cunningham. Aunt Alexandra tells her that she cannot invite Walter over to the house. When Scout asks why she can't play with Walter, Alexandra says,

"Because---he---is---trash, that's why you can't play with him. I'll not have you around him, picking up his habits and learning Lord-knows-what." (Lee 301)

Scout mentions that Aunt Alexandra is also obsessed with heredity. Alexandra comes from a wealthier family and believes that Scout should not play with people from lower social classes. Alexandra displays her prejudiced beliefs by forbidding Scout to play with her friend, Walter Cunningham. But Scout was raised to respect individuals regardless of their age, race, religion, gender, or social class.

How does Aunt Alexandra serve as a mother figure to Jem and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra means well; for one thing, she understands the importance of establishing boundaries and setting examples when raising children. But, she's far from being an ideal stand-in mother to Jem and Scout.

She's very much set in her ways and has a rather old-fashioned understanding of child-rearing. With some children such an approach to parenting might work, but not Jem and Scout. Atticus has given them a lot of freedom, allowing them to roam around and explore, so much so that they earn the enmity of Mrs. Dubose, among others, for being wild and undisciplined. Aunt Alexandra is also highly critical of Atticus's hands-off approach.

Aunt Alexandra is also incredibly anxious to make sure that Scout grows up to become what she considers to be a Southern lady. But preparing Scout to be the epitome of refinement and good manners is a complete nonstarter. Scout's too much of a free spirit and a tomboy—she is much too attached to wearing breeches to be moulded into Aunt Alexandra's ideal.

Another factor inhibiting Aunt Alexandra's parenting abilities is her implacable belief that virtues and vices alike are genetic, handed down through families from generation to generation. It's difficult to see how good habits of behavior and good conduct can be inculcated if they're largely determined by one's genetic inheritance.

To be fair to Aunt Alexandra, though, it's important to acknowledge that she does have genuine love for her family members, and is fiercely loyal to them. It's simply that her way of showing affection, like her approach to raising children, is very much of the old school.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Aunt Alexandra view Atticus's family (including Calpurnia)?

Aunt Alexandra is obsessed with heredity and holds her family in high regard. She is extremely proud of her heritage and family history and encourages her brother to teach his children about their esteemed ancestry. Despite her affinity for her family's history, she is upset that Atticus is defending a black man and believes that he is bringing shame on their family. Alexandra is prejudiced, like the majority of Maycomb's community, and is embarrassed by her brother's defense of Tom Robinson. She also believes that he is not raising his children responsibly, which is why she decides to stay with them for a while. She views Scout with contempt for her tomboy personality and attempts to change her into a proper, delicate Southern belle. Aunt Alexandra is also highly critical of Calpurnia and tries to persuade her brother into firing her. However, Atticus challenges his sister by refusing to dismiss Calpurnia and referring to her as a beloved member of their family. Despite Aunt Alexandra's rough exterior and autocratic nature, she wants what is best for her family and tries to positively influence Atticus and his children.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what is Aunt Alexandra's assessment of the Cunninghams?

Like so many of British descent, Aunt Alexandra is extremely class conscious. Shortly after her arrival prompted by her desire to lend familial support to her brother and re-establish the dignity of the Finch name, which has been maligned by the aspersions as those such as Mrs. DuBois. Shortly after her arrival Aunt Alexandra informs the children of the "caste system" in Maycomb, as Scout refers to it.

Later, in Chapter 23, in a discussion with Jem about Tom Robinson's trial, Atticus praises a Cunningham for having enough doubt to hold up the jury's verdict for an hour, adding that if there had been two, there would have been a hung jury. After hearing this, Scout decides that she will befriend Walter Cunningham once school resumes; however, Aunt Alexandra interrupts with "We'll see about that." When Scout asks her, "Why not, Aunty? They're good folks," Alexandra declares, 

"Jean Louise, there is no doubt in my mind that they're good folks. But they're not our kind of folks....you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he'll never be like Jem. Besides, there a drinking streak in that family a mile wide. Finch women aren't interested in that sort of people."

The Cunninghams, according to Aunt Alexandra, are lower class people, not of the ilk of the Finches. Also, they have alcoholism in their lineage.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what does Aunt Alexandra think about the Cunninghams?  

Scout has always been a tom-boy. She likes doing the things Jem and Dill do. She was raised by Atticus, so really all she knows is how to play with the boys. Walter Cunningham is a school friend who at first she fights with but later enjoys playing with. When Aunt Alexandra comes to stay with them, she tells Atticus that Scout needs to be more ladylike; she needs a good woman's influence in her life. 

Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to be a lady. She doesn't think Atticus has done a very good job of providing her with a good female role model. Of course, Atticus has done the best he can do, but Aunt Alexandra believes that she will be the one to be an influence on young Scout. When Scout wants to play with Walter, Aunt Alexandra absolutely refuses. She thinks the Cunninghams are nothing but trash and not a good influence on Scout. 

Aunt Alexandra has in her mind the way she thinks young girls should be raised. She doesn't think Scout should continue to behave the way she has; she believes that she has come just in time to help Scout. Of course, Scout is furious with Aunt Alexandra interfering with her life, but by the end Scout does come to respect her.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what does Aunt Alexandra think about the Cunninghams?  

Aunt Alexandra refuses to allow Scout to invite Walter Cunningham to their home. Alexandra calls Walter “trash" and Scout begins crying so Jem takes her to her room. Jem explains that their aunt is “trying to make you a lady.” Scout sees no reason to treat others according to their social class just as she doesn't see the reason she has to learn to be "a lady."

In To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Aunt Alexandra influence Scout spiritually?

In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Aunt Alexandra does influence Scout—surprisingly, though "spiritually" in an unusual way to put it.

Throughout the story, Aunt Alexandra is a thorn in Scout's side. First, Scout is a tomboy, and her aunt struggles with the overalls she wears, the games she plays, the fights she has, and the way she talks. Scout is anything but a young lady. Aunt Alexandra is rather a straight-laced "southern belle," struggling with the relationship the children share with Calpurnia because the housekeeper is black (though Atticus refuses to change a thing about the way the household is run).

However, we see the effect she has had on Scout on the evening when news of Tom Robinson's death arrives at the Finch household; Aunt Alexandra shows the true nature of the woman she is, and she must have influenced Scout as well because the youngster demonstrates her ability to behave in a controlled and courteous fashion, even while tragedy has struck so close to home.

'Oh, Mrs. Perkins, [Aunt Alexandra] said, 'you need some more coffee. Let me get it.'

...said Miss Maudie. 'Let me pass you some more of those dewberry tarts...'

Aunt Alexandra looked across the room at me and smiled. She looked at a tray full of cookies on the table and nodded at them. I carefully picked up the tray and watched myself walk to Mrs. Merriweather. With my best company manners, I asked her if she would have some. After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I.

What does Scout learn from Aunt Alexandra in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout learns many negative aspects about her Aunt Alexandra during the course of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout begs Atticus to skip the Christmas visit to Finch Landing because of her dislike of Alexandra and her grandson, Francis (Scout's cousin). Scout recognizes her aunt's high and mighty ways, especially concerning her misplaced pride concerning previous generations of the Finch family. Scout hates Alexandra's attempts to make her more lady-like, and she resents her aunt's haughty presence when she comes to stay with Atticus during the Tom Robinson trial. Alexandra is particularly cruel to Scout when she refuses to allow Walter Cunningham Jr. to visit the Finch home, calling him "trash."

However, Aunt Alexandra is not all bad. Scout sees her good side at the Missionary Circle meeting after Atticus reveals that Tom Robinson has been killed. Scout even determines that "if Aunty can be a lady at a time like this, so could I." Perhaps Alexandra's best moment comes after the children have been attacked by Bob Ewell. When her aunt brings clothes to put on afterward, Scout is stunned to see that

... Aunty brought me my overalls. "Put these on, darling," she said, handing me the garments which she most despised.

How is Aunt Alexandra important to Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is important to the novel's themes of class attitudes and traditions, prejudice, and the instructional design of this bildungsroman. She also acts sometimes as a foil to Atticus.

• Class attitudes and traditions and social prejudice

In Chapter 13, when Aunt Alexandra arrives at the Finch house purportedly to assist her brother who is busy preparing for the controversial trial of Tom Robinson, she actually injects more stress into the lives of all those in the home. For one thing, she advises Atticus with matriarchal authority that the children must be made aware of their social position in Maycomb. So, Atticus uncomfortably tells Jem and Scout that their aunt wants him

"...to try and impress upon you...that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations' gentle breeding--"

This implies that Scout must wear dresses and behave with more appropriateness to her station in life, a criticism much like those of Mrs. Dubose's.

• Racial prejudice

When the "pecking order" is disrupted by Aunt Alexandra's overriding Atticus's authority by telling Scout that she may not accompany Calpurnia to church again, Scout tells her father, "I didn't ask her, I asked you--"  Atticus tries to solve the issue by telling Scout to obey whoever tells her to do something. And, Alexandra tells Atticus that he must "do something about her." Then, she tells Atticus to fire Calpurnia because they do not "need her anymore," implying that the maid is actually a bad influence on Scout as Scout should not be in a black church, nor be dependent upon Calpurnia for motherly advice.

Further, although Alexandra really does not approve of Atticus's being the defense attorney for Tom Robinson, she is angered when her guests rebuke him. Further, when Mrs. Merriweather disparages her black maid Sophy, but lauds a missionary from her church who works with Africans, Alexandra is relieved when Miss Maudie makes a cynical remark which obviously is directed at Mrs. Merriweather's racial hypocrisy. 

• Maturing motif (bildungsroman)

From her experiences on the day of her Missionary Tea, Alexandra begins to gain a wider perspective of current events. Certainly, she becomes very concerned for her brother Atticus because the trial is emotionally trying for him. Even though she may not agree philosophically with her brother, she certainly gains insight into the harm caused by biases, moral weakness, and prejudice, no matter to whom they are directed. Alexandra remarks to Miss Maudie,

"It tears him [Atticus] to pieces....what else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?....They're perfectly willing to let him do what they're too afraid to do themselves--it might lose 'em a nickel."

Miss Maudie calmly advises her to be quiet as the ladies may hear her; then she adds that Maycomb is, nevertheless, paying Atticus "the highest tribute" since it trusts him "to do right" when they are afraid to do it themselves. Finally, Miss Maudie suggests that they should join the ladies in the parlor. Pulling herself together, Aunt Alexandra nods at Scout who rises to the occasion by carefully picking up a tray and stepping into the parlor to serve the ladies. Scout narrates, "After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I."

In To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Scout develop in her perspective of her Aunt Alexandra? 

Scout does not appreciate her Aunt Alexandra at all at first--except for maybe her good cooking. Scout is forced to go to Finch's Landing every Christmas where the family gets together with Uncle Jack and Aunt Alexandra's family. Scout views her Aunt like "Mount Everest." This seems to suggest that her aunt is an insurmountable obstacle that must either be conquered or left alone. From a little girl's perspective, Aunt Alexandra is probably something to be left alone. Specifically, Scout describes her aunt as follows:

". . . when Jem told me about changelings and siblings, I decided that she had been swapped at birth, that my grandparents had perhaps received a Crawford instead of a Finch. Had I ever harbored the mystical notions about mountains that seem to obsess lawyers and judges, Aunt Alexandra would have been analogous to Mount Everest: throughout my life, she was cold and there" (77).

 Later, Aunt Alexandra comes to live in Scout's home with the family, partly because she feels the children need more of a motherly-type woman in the house to teach them manners. She feels that Scout should wear dresses and be taught how to become a lady. She even feels that Scout should choose better friends and Scout rebels as best as she can. But after the stress and strain of going through the vicissitudes of life in the prejudiced South, Scout matures and views her Aunt with more careful eyes in the end.

"Aunt Alexandra looked across the room at me and smiled. She looked at a tray of cookies on the table and nodded at them. I carefully picked up the tray and watched myself walk to Mrs. Merriweather. With my best company manners, I asked her if she would have some.

After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I" (237).

Even though Scout and Aunt Alexandra don't see eye-to-eye on many things, Scout warms up to the good qualities that she does see. Aunt Alexandra is strong. A woman like that is someone to notice, although not always one to agree with. Scout, in fact, does learn to be a lady, too, which she wouldn't have learned without her aunt's example.

Characterize Aunt Alexandra of To Kill a Mockingbird from Scout's point of view.

Scout finds Aunt Alexandra rather stuffy.

Scout finds Aunt Alexandra difficult to relate with because they are polar opposites. Scout loves playing in the backyard and building forts while in her overalls. Aunt Alexandra drinks tea and wears beautiful women's clothes that are all too tight and uncomfortable. This dichotomy between the two of them is easily shown in Scout's typical conversations with Aunt Alexandra:

I could never think of anything to say to her, and I sat thinking of past painful conversations between us: How are you, Jean Louise? Fine, thank you ma'am, how are you? Very well, thank you; what have you been doing with yourself? Nothin'. Don't you do anything? Nome. Certainly you have friends? Yessum. Well what do you all do? Nothin'.

Futhermore, Scout found Alexandra bossy:

Aunty had a way of declaring What Is Best For The Family, and I suppose her coming to live with us was in that category.

Scout would also call Aunt Alexandra judgmental, unfair, prissy, and hypocritical. Readers see her judgment as she criticizes Atticus for the way he raises the children. Her unfair treatment comes out when she supports Francis instead of Scout. Her prissy nature comes out because she is a Southern woman with pride:

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 an incurable gossip. When Aunt Alexandra went to school, self-doubt could not be found in any textbook, so she knew not its meaning. She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.

Her hypocrisy is only shown to a slight degree when the Missionary Tea gets together. She participates as one of the women who will gossip about the town and give money to the poor elsewhere, but help very little at home.

What does Aunt Alexandra do most of the time in To Kill a Mockingbird?

While not supervising the Finch household, which does not take up much of her time because Calpurnia does most of the work, Aunt Alexandra spends most of her day socializing with the other middle class white women of Maycomb. She gets along with them perfectly because she shares their values. This is a relief to her, as she is often at odds with the ways of Atticus and his children.

Like the other women she socializes with, Aunt Alexandra believes wholeheartedly in the importance of ancestry and likes to share stories of illustrious Finch ancestors. She is shocked that Atticus hasn't passed these stories down to his children.

Aunt Alexandra is also a part of the Missionary Society, which raises money to help needy Africans. This shows she supports the racist social system in Maycomb. Many blacks in the town are also very needy, but rather than help them, she supports sending the money overseas. This way the local blacks are kept in their place but the whites can feel good about helping others.

How does Aunt Alexandra influence the Finch family in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra's presence influences the Finch family in To Kill a Mockingbird in many different ways, and she would likely argue that she brings some semblance of order to the previously laid-back household.

As soon as the imperious Aunt Alexandra rocks up at the Finch residence, she begins taking over. Highly critical of her brother Atticus's parenting skills, Alexandra wants to instill a bit of discipline and purpose in Scout and Jem.

She's particularly concerned with Scout's upbringing. An old-fashioned lady with an idealized vision of womanhood, Aunt Alexandra wants to turn Scout into a fine, upstanding Southern belle.

But because Scout is such an inveterate tomboy, this turns out to be much easier said than done. Scout resists her aunt's attempts at turning her into a lady, generating considerable tension within the Finch household.

Aunt Alexandra also influences the Finches by emphasizing their role within the community. Something of a snob, Alexandra passionately believes in the virtues of good breeding and that certain character traits, both good and bad, are passed down from generation to generation.

Not surprisingly, Alexandra believes that the Finches are a good family. This explains why she's so keen for Scout to start acting like a lady and why she's less than pleased about her brother taking on Tom Robinson's case. For her, it's beneath the dignity of a Finch to defend a Black man in court. To her, Atticus is disgracing the family.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, how does Aunt Alexandra help contribute to Scout's development from a tom boy into a lady?

I linked to a similar question in the TKM group, but it's not exactly the same question as yours, so I'll supplement it with some additional information.

Scout grew up without a really feminine role model, aside from Miss Maudie, who did not live in her house. Calpurnia is certainly a woman, but not the type of woman accepted as feminine in the South at the time in which the novel is set. Before Alexandra came into the home, Scout was allowed to be like Jem. She didn't have to wear dresses all the time, learn proper posture and manners, or act particularly girly because Atticus just wanted her to be smart and well-behaved. He was liberal enough that it either didn't bother him that Scout didn't fit into the social standards of femininity, or he didn't know exactly how to handle her boyish behaviors. When Alexandra comes into the picture, however, she takes control of the situation and makes an effort to make Scout act socially like a girl is supposed to according to the social standards in Maycomb at the time.

How does Aunt Alexandra develop as a sympathetic character in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 13 when Aunt Alexandra arrives in Macomb, she first issues orders to Calpurnia about the placement of her suitcase, then she announces that Atticus and she decided "it was time I came to stay with you for a while." Soon, Scout learns that her aunt's visit is not without drawbacks. For one thing, according to Aunt Alexandra Scout should wear dresses, not overalls. And, she and Jem need to learn that they are not

...run-of-the-mill people,...that [they] are the product of several generations' gentle breeding....

Shortly after Alexandra is there, Scout overhears her aunt wanting to dismiss Calpurnia and Atticus raising his voice.

 Later, Scout is made to dress up and attend her aunt's Missionary Tea; then, Scout is made to endure listening to Mrs. Merriweather's not-so-subtle criticism of her maid and of Atticus's being the defense attorney of Tom Robinson. When Miss Maudie's cryptic remark silences Mrs. Merriweather, Aunt Alexandra displays a look of gratitude because, even though she disapproves of her brother's defense of Tom Robinson, she resents the women's pettiness of Mrs. Merriweather. And, when Atticus informs his sister that Tom has been killed, Alexandra is sympathetic, knowing how this news bothers her brother.

After Atticus leaves, Alexandra takes her hands from her face and speaks to Miss Maudie,

"It tears him to pieces. I've seen him when--what else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?"

"....They're perfectly willing to let him do what they're too afraid to do themselves--it might lose'em a nickel." 

Miss Maudie consoles her and tell her how many people do respect Atticus. Hearing this, Scout thinks much better of Aunt Alexandra, and she grows in affection for her, especially as her aunt expresses more loyalty for Atticus.

What does Aunt Alexandra contribute to the Finch family in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scout's Aunt Alexandra is the sister of Atticus and wife of Jimmy Hancock; Alexandra and Jimmy live at the old homestead at Finch's Landing, 25 miles west of Maycomb. Alexandra and Jimmy aren't the happiest of couples, and they seem to prefer as much distance apart as possible. Alexandra's own parenting skills are questionable, having produced a son, Henry, "who left home as soon as was humanly possible;" her grandson, Francis, "was the most boring child I ever met," according to Scout. Nevertheless, Alexandra decided that Atticus' children needed a motherly touch, and she invited herself to come and stay with Atticus in Maycomb at the onset of the Tom Robinson trial.

After losing her battle with Atticus to rid the household of Calpurnia, Alexandra settled down

... and life resumed its daily pace. Aunt Alexandra seemed as if she had always lived with us... she had river-boat, boarding-school manners... she was an incurable gossip... She was never bored, and given the slightest chance, she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, caution, advise and warn.

Alexandra believed that Atticus' home needed a feminine touch, and that both children were in want of a mother figure. She believed that Scout specifically was in need of ladylike qualities, and Alexandra did her best to see that Scout was converted from tomboy to little lady. Alexandra refused to allow Scout to invite Walter Cunningham Jr. to visit, telling Scout that "he--is--trash!" and not worthy of socializing with a Finch. She worried about the repercussions of Atticus defending Tom, and she feared that the family might be in danger after the threats made by Bob Ewell.

But by the end of the novel, Alexandra seems to have found some acceptance from Scout and Jem. Scout admires her ladylike skills at the missionary tea, and Alexandra blames herself for Bob's attack on the children, since she decided not to escort them to the Halloween pageant. In the final chapters, she lovingly tends to Jem's injuries, and in a rare example of giving in to Scout's tomboyish tendencies, she

... brought me my overalls. "Put these on, darling," she said, handing me the garments she most despised.

Why is Aunt Alexandra is so important to To Kill A Mockingbird?

She also acts as a foil to Calpurnia, the only other woman Scout really remembers in her life.  Scout's mother has been absent, and there are no others.  So, Alexandria comes to live in the house as a mother figure to help Scout become a lady--however, her first error as a resident there is to suggest that Calpurnia is no longer needed in the home. 

Why is Aunt Alexandra is so important to To Kill A Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra offers a contrast to her brother Atticus.  As a member of the family, the reader is able to hear Aunt Alexandra's comments as well as observe Atticus' reactions to them.  She represents the voice of the racist townspeople in Maycomb, Alabama while Atticus is the voice of open-minded reason.  Scout, as narrator, is able to report both sides as she hears them within her own house, bringing the reader into her world. 

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, how is Aunt Alexandra motherly to Scout?

Aunt Alexandra is motherly to Scout in ways that Scout doesn't necessarily appreciate:

1. Alexandra likes to declare what's best for the family. Therefore, she often tells Scout about what Scout should do. This includes having an intentional focus on the heritage of the family. She wants Scout to read her cousin's book, and to meet her cousin Lily. Neither of these really impress Scout.

2. Alexandra tries to lead Scout by example. She doesn't really like that Scout happens to be a tomboy, so in addition to wearing appropriate Southern belle clothing, Alexandra encouraging sitting, cooking, and needlework as appropriate ways to spend time.

3. Alexandra thinks that Atticus is not enough of a feminine influence. Furthermore, Alexandra seems to be prejudiced against Cal believing Cal can't influence Scout in a positive way either. Thus, Alexandra takes it upon herself to make Scout wear a dress and go to a Missionary Circle meeting at the Finches house.

Many moms can be overbearing or pressuringly influential. For Scout, this is the type of motherly influence she experiences. Aunt Alexandra doesn't value the individual that Scout already is, but tries to use a woman's manipulation to make Scout into something that she is not.

How is Aunt Alexandra significant in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

Aunt Alexandra is significant in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird as a source of opposition to Scout who actually teaches Scout some valuable lessons. Let's examine this in more detail.

Scout is not fond of her Aunt Alexandra. The latter is always urging Scout to act like a lady rather than to run wild with her brother and friends. Aunt Alexandra wants to be a role model for Scout, but she does not go about it in a way that appeals to the young girl, who feels like her aunt is trying to curtail her freedom and make her be someone she is not.

Aunt Alexandra does, however, teach Scout some valuable lessons in the end. At the missionary circle tea, Aunt Alexandra becomes quite upset at the hypocrisy and behavior of the ladies and then at Atticus' report of the death of Tom Robinson. Yet Aunt Alexandra does not allow her feelings to show. She raises her head, pulls herself together, and continues performing her role as hostess to the best of her ability. As Scout watches her aunt, she realizes that there is a side to being a lady that she never knew before. It takes courage. Scout decides that perhaps being a lady is not such a horrible thing after all, and she begins to see the possibility that she might just become one someday.

Aunt Alexandra learns a lesson, too. After the horrible incident with Bob Ewell in which Scout and Jem are almost killed, Aunt Alexandra brings Scout her favorite overalls instead of a dress. Aunt Alexandra is finally beginning to accept Scout for who she is.