that the dog might be rabid. After seeing the dog for herself, she is faced with warning the neighborhood and protecting the children; both tasksplace her in dilemmas, meaning situations in which one must make difficult choices (Merriam-Webster).

After talking on the phone with Atticus and getting his instructions, Calpurnia very easily speaks with the telephone operator and has her phone the neighbors on the street to warn them the dog is coming. The most challenging task is trying to inform the Radleys, and the Radley Place will be the first house the dog passes once he reaches the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the Radleys don't own a phone, don't speak with other people, and never leave their house, realities that place Calpurnia in a position to make a difficult choice. Calpurnia could decide to try and warn them in person, or she could decide to assume they will remain indoors and that she herself could stay where it is safe, inside the Finches' home. Both of these choices represent a dilemma. Calpurnia, being a brave person, decides to run out to the Radley Place, bang on the front door and shout, "Mr. Nathan, Mr. Arthur, mad dog's comin'! Mad dog's comin'!" (Ch. 10). Her efforts seem to fail since she receives no reply, and she must return back to the Finches' home.

Her task of keeping the Finch children protected is a little easier than warning the Radleys but also places her in a dilemma. Though it is easy to keep the children inside of the house and away from the dog, she is faced with the decision of protecting them from the terrible vision of seeing the dog being shot or of allowing them to witness one of the brutalities of reality. Calpurnia arrives back at the Finches' porch just as Sheriff Heck Tate and Atticus drive up; Sheriff Tate has his riffle. Atticus orders the children to stay inside the house. As soon as the dog comes within shooting range, with the children already inside the house, Calpurina makes her choice, and Scout describes Calpurnia as having "opened the screen door, latched it behind her, then unlatched it and held onto the hook" (Ch. 10). Scout further narrates that Calpurnia "tried to block Jem and me with her body, but we looked out from beneath her arms" (Ch. 10). Since Calpurnia is obviously trying to block the children's view as well as keep them inside of the house, it is clear that she made the choice to try and protect the children from seeing the dog being shot. Yet, regardless of her efforts, the children witness the dog being shot, not by Sheriff Tate but by their father, a vision that truly surprises them since they had come to the conclusion Atticus wasn't good at anything due to his age.

Hence, as we can see, Calpurnia was faced with two difficult choices, or dilemmas in this chapter: (1) Attempting to warn the Radleys or keeping herself safe instead; and (2) protecting the children from a terrible vision or allowing them to face reality. Though she fails in her efforts to protect the children from the vision of the dog being shot, her failure does not seem to harm the children. Instead, they benefit from learning more about their father, whose actions and restraints teach them a lesson in humility.

As the jury is deliberating, Calpurnia arrives at the courthouse to give Atticus a letter from his sister concerning his children. Atticus then reads the letter, and Mr. Underwood points to Jem and Scout, who have been watching the trial from the colored balcony. Atticus tells Jem that they can return to watch the verdict but must go home with Calpurnia to eat supper. Calpurnia then walks the children out of the courthouse and back to their home. Calpurnia's presence is significant and highlights Atticus's beliefs regarding racial equality. The fact that Calpurnia arrives at the courthouse and walks the children home emphasizes her important role in the Finch household and proves that Atticus trusts her.

The community recognizes that Calpurnia is viewed and treated like family in the Finch home, which is unheard of in the racist town. Her presence also illustrates that black and white people can live amiably beside one another, which is another foreign concept to the prejudiced citizens. Calpurnia's arrival and task illustrate that the prejudiced citizens' fears of black people are irrational and emphasizes Atticus's feelings regarding racial equality.

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Calpurnia is the Finches' cook, but she is also treated like a surrogate mother for both Scout and Jem, whose mother died of a heart attack when Scout was just two years old.

Since Calpurnia behaves as a mother figure, she and Scout often have battles because Scout prefers her independence. For example, Scout informs us early on in the very first chapter that Calpurnia was always telling her to get out of the kitchen, making her come home when she didn't want to, and asking her "why [she] couldn't behave as well as Jem when [Calpurnia] knew he was older" (p. 6). Scout further relays, "Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side" (p. 6).

As the novel progresses, Atticus must spend more and more time away from home, working on the case, leaving Scout and Jem to Calpurnia's care. The more time they spend with her, the more they see her as a vital protector in their lives. Once, she calls the sheriff and Atticus to protect them from a rabid dog. On another occasion, Scout cries on Calpurnia's shoulder after Jem yells at her to start acting like a girl. At another time, she brings them with her to her own African-American church and defends them from racial prejudice. As they walk with her home from church, the more they learn about her background, her education, the African-American culture, and how she avoids looking arrogant by speak "colored-folks talk" at church, even though she is educated enough to speak "white-folks talk" in the Finches' home. Scout learns a valuable lesson from Calpurnia concerning the fact that just because a person knows more doesn't mean the person has to share the knowledge all the time--"it's not ladylike"--and it won't change anything (Ch. 12, p. 127). As Calpurnia phrases it, African Americans need to learn for themselves.

Calopurnia and Miss Maudie both represent female role models for Scout in divergent ways. Calpurnia is black, which makes her different from the Finches because of the way in which race is viewed in Maycomb at the time. However, because she has taken care of the children for so long, she has become almost like a mother to them. The children are able to see past her skin color and see her only as the caring woman that she is, someone who will protect them when their father is not around and who fulfils the role of a mother nicely. Because they learn to see past her skin color, they are in a much better position to see past Tom Robinson's skin color as well and to see him as the innocent man that he is. Because of this, they are even more startled by the outcome of the trial and it gives them a glimpse into the adult world of hatred and prejudice. They do not like what they see, and rightfully so. This is how change is made in future generations.

Miss Maudie is also a female role model. She is a widow, like Atticus, and in some ways acts as his other half even without a romantic entanglement. She is highly critical of the hypocrisy in the town, particularly of the so-called church goers - and she is not afraid to share her wisdom with the children. Her views align with what they have already learned from Atticus. As a result, her position in the story is to act as a codification of the values that the children are learning from this experience.

As was mentioned in the previous post, Scout reveals her father's age in Chapter 10. In Chapter 10, Scout criticizes Atticus for being older than her friends' parents, and she mentions that he is nearly fifty years old. In Chapter 12, Scout learns several facts about Calpurnia. When Jem asks Cal where she went to school, Cal tells him that she never attended school. Cal says that Miss Maudie's aunt, Miss Buford, taught her how to read. Jem then asks Cal, "Are you that old?" (Lee 76). Calpurnia responds by saying that she is a few years older than Atticus but is not exactly sure how old she is.  Calpurnia explains to the children that she was never told the exact day she was born and simply celebrates her birthday on Christmas. Assuming that Atticus is "nearly fifty," one could surmise that Calpurnia is in her early fifties, approximately 50 to 53 years old. 

The passage that you are looking for can be found towards the end of chapter 12, and the answer you have above is correct.  And, at the beginning of chapter ten, Scout says that Atticus was "nearly fifty", so we have to figure that Cal is a bit older than that.  Specifically, in chapter 12, Scout asks exactly how old Cal is.  Cal responds:

"I'm older than Mr. Finch, even...not sure how much though.  We started remberin' one time, trying to figure out how old I was-I can remember back just a few more years more'n he can, so I'm not much older."

This might seem strange to us, who celebrate the exact day and year of our birthdays with exuberance and excitement, keeping fastidious track of exactly how old we are.  However, in Cal's culture, many of the people there couldn't read.  So, when babies were born, it wasn't like they had a calendar that they could refer to to figure out the exact date.  Plus, in poorer communities, when you are born is less important; people didn't have money to celebrate birthdays anyway.  People might remember the season or time of year (Cal just says that she celebrates on Christmas, because it's easier to remember that way), but the daily grind of life kind-of took over such things, and money was short, so birthdays got lost in it all.  I hope that helps!

Calpurnia of To Kill a Mockingbird is more than just a cook to the Finch family. Scout's mother died when she was very young, so in some ways, Calpurnia helps fill that role. For example, in the summertime, the children's boundaries in which they could play had to be "within calling distance of Calpurnia." At first, Scout sees Calpurnia as a "tyrannical presence." However, Scout's feelings toward Calpurnia seem to change throughout the story. Scout begins to recognize the positive influence that Calpurnia has on her.

Calpurnia influences Scout's education. Scout tells of how Calpurnia has her copy a Bible verse and the alphabet and if it is done to Calpurnia's satisfaction, Scout receives a bread and butter sandwich. According to Scout, Calpurnia was difficult to please. Scout says, "I seldom pleased her and she seldom rewarded me." However, Calpurnia's efforts were effective because Miss Caroline says that Scout should not have been taught to write until third grade.

In chapter 14, Aunt Alexandra tells Atticus that he needs to do something about Scout's upbringing. Aunt Alexandra believes that Scout needs to behave and dress more like a girl. Since she plans on spending time with Scout, Aunt Alexandra suggests that there is no need for Calpurnia. Atticus replies, "Calpurnia's not leaving this house until she wants to." He even says that "the children love her." From this statement, the reader can see that Calpurnia is indeed an important influence on Scout and the family.

She gives Scout discipline: and it's more direct and to the point so it supplements Atticus' often philosophical, yet coherent lessons. One of the most significant things Cal does for Scout is to show her how to see things from other people's perspectives. She does this by scolding Scout when she makes fun of Walter for pouring syrup all over his food. Scout understands who's poor and who's not, but still needed to learn how to step into others' shoes. At the end of the novel, Scout stands on the Radley's porch, and for the first time, literally sees her street from the perspective of that porch: this is a literal change in perspective, but it is a metaphor that runs throughout the novel.

Most importantly, Cal is a mother figure and a link between the black world and the white world: and the different perspectives therein. Taking the children to church is one example where the children learn about this division/potential link. (They get a larger sense of the division at the courthouse). Cal certainly does signify, through her actions and who she is, the potential of a bridge between different worlds in the town: mostly between black and white, but the lesson also applies to class (income) divisions. Cal is THE mother figure in this book: more so than Miss Maudie or Aunt Alexandra.

Jem says that Scout has been reading almost since she was born.  Reading is a theme throughout the book.  It is about education.  The fact that Calpurnia can read, when most of her church cannot, is indicative of how she is much more educated than most people of her color.  She was taught by Miss Maudie’s aunt, not in a school.

When Scout asks Calpurnia why they don’t have hymn books in her church, she responds that it wouldn’t do any good since they can’t read.

“Can’t read?” I asked. “All those folks?”

“That’s right,” Calpurnia nodded. “Can’t but about four folks in First Purchase read… I’m one of ‘em.” (ch 13)

Scout is stunned. 

“Where’d you go to school, Cal?” asked Jem.

“Nowhere. Let’s see now, who taught me my letters? It was Miss Maudie Atkinson’s aunt, old Miss Buford—” (ch 13)

Scout is also surprised when she learns that Cal taught her son how to read, and how. 

“Did you teach him out of a primer, like us?” I asked.

“No, I made him get a page of the Bible every day, and there was a book Miss

Buford taught me out of—bet you don’t know where I got it,” she said.

We didn’t know.

Calpurnia said, “Your Granddaddy Finch gave it to me.” (ch 13)

When Scout learns how Cal learned to read, it makes her realize two things.  First, not all children have the opportunity to go to school.  Second, Calpurnia has a deep history with their family.  She came from Finch’s Landing.  It is another example of class and racial differences Scout is learning about as she slowly grows up.

Calpurnia is the Finch family's African American maid and cook, who acts as Jem and Scout's surrogate mother throughout the novel. Calpurnia is portrayed as a rather strict woman, who is honest with the children and tries her best to instill character in them. Calpurnia constantly reprimands Scout for her impulsive and sometimes rude behavior but seems to get along with Jem rather well because he is more mature than Scout. Calpurnia shows Jem and Scout tough love and the children are surprised to learn that she is one of the few educated African American citizens. In chapter 12, Scout and Jem visit First Purchase African M.E. Church with Calpurnia and gain valuable insight into Cal's personal life. Scout says,

That Calpurnia led a modest double life never dawned on me. The idea that she had a separate existence outside our household was a novel one, to say nothing of her having command of two languages (Lee, 127).

In chapter 14, Aunt Alexandra argues that Calpurnia is a negative influence on the children. Atticus strongly disagrees with Alexandra and responds to his sister by saying,

"If anything, she’s [Calpurnia] been harder on them in some ways than a mother would have been . . . she’s never let them get away with anything, she’s never indulged them the way most colored nurses do. She tried to bring them up according to her lights, and Cal’s lights are pretty good" (Lee, 138).

Calpurnia is depicted as a morally-upright woman who is strict and outspoken. Atticus considers Calpurnia an integral member of their family, and she is not afraid to chastise Scout or Jem when they get out of line. Calpurnia also values obedience and respect. Scout elaborates on Calpurnia's no-nonsense personality by saying,

Calpurnia was something else again. She was all angles and bones; she was nearsighted; she squinted; her hand was wide as a bed slat and twice as hard. She was always ordering me out of the kitchen, asking me why I couldn’t behave as well as Jem when she knew he was older, and calling me home when I wasn’t ready to come. Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember. (Lee, 6).

In chapter three, Calpurnia reveals that she also values equality and respect by chastising Scout for her rude behavior towards Walter Cunningham Jr. during lunch. After Scout criticizes Walter’s eating habits, Calpurnia requests Scout's presence in the kitchen and proceeds to tell her,

"Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo‘ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo‘ folks might be better’n the Cunninghams but it don’t count for nothin’ the way you’re disgracin‘ ’em—if you can’t act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!" (Lee, 25).

In addition to her strict personality, Calpurnia also reveals that she exercises perspective and is a humble woman. When Calpurnia invites Jem and Scout to Sunday service at First Purchase African M.E. Church, the children gain valuable insight into Maycomb's black community. They also discover that Calpurnia is an expert in code-switching and values humility. Calpurnia elaborates on her values by telling the children,

"It’s not necessary to tell all you know. It’s not ladylike—in the second place, folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin‘ more than they do. It aggravates ’em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin‘ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language" (Lee, 127).

Overall, Calpurnia values obedience and is not afraid to chastise the children when they need correction. Calpurnia is also a sincere woman with perspective, and she is humble and understanding.

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, though Scout's relationship with Calpurnia changes as Scout gets older, Calpurnia is actually a static character. A static character is one that does not struggle against any conflict and, therefore, does not change as a result of that conflict. Therefore, though Scout's relationship with Calpurnia does develop as the novel progresses, Calpurnia as a character does not develop. Regardless, we do learn more about her as Scout matures and learns more about Calpurnia herself.

At the beginning of the novel, Scout sees Calpurnia as nothing more than an antagonizer. Scout is frequently getting into trouble with Calpurnia, and Atticus is always taking Calpurnia's side. However, little does Scout realize that Calpurnia sees herself as Scout's mother-figure, and Calpurnia's mother qualities are revealed the more Scout matures.

We first see Calpurnia's mothering qualities when Scout comes home from her first day of school. Calpurnia is so proud of Scout growing up and missed  Scout's presence in the house so much that Calpurnia makes Scout's favorite for dinner, a "pan of cracklin' bread" (Ch. 3). Calpurnia even kisses Scout for the first time. Calpurnia further demonstrates her mothering qualities by protecting the children from the mad dog and even attempting to protect them from the sight of their father shooting the mad dog. In addition, Calpurnia protects the children from Lula's insults the day Calpurnia brings the Finch children to her all-black church as her guests while their father is away.

Later, in Chapter 12, when Jem starts growing up and acting differently, especially by spending less time with his sister and yelling at her for not acting like a girl, we see just how close Scout and Calpurnia have grown over the course of the novel. Calpurnia explains that "Mister Jem" will want to be off by himself a lot now and gives Scout the following invitation:

[Y]ou just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We'll find lots of things to do in here. (Ch. 12)

At the beginning of the novel, Scout narrates that Calpurnia was always shooing Scout out of the kitchen. Therefore, Calpurnia's invitation not only shows Calpurnia's motherly attributes, but it also shows she thinks Scout has matured to the point that they can now peacefully spend time together.

Hence, as we can see, Calpurnia displays the same motherly qualities all throughout the novel; however, as Scout's relationship with Calpurnia develops, more of Calpurnia's motherly characteristics are revealed.

Calpurnia is important in the story because she raises the Finch children, and her role in Atticus’s family is an example of an African American treated with respect.

Since Scout and Jem’s mother is dead, Calpurnia is an important part of the household.  Even though she is African American, Atticus expects the children to treat her with respect. Scout cares for Cal, who has raised her like a mother. 

Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember. (Ch. 1) 

When Alexandra comes, she wants to send Cal away because she is no longer needed.  Alexandra doesn't think it is proper that the children have no white woman in their lives.  Atticus won't hear of it though.  He needs Cal.

As important as Calpurnia is in Scout’s life, she is not in fact an actual member of the family.  This is made clear to Scout when Calpurnia takes them the children to her own church.  Calpurnia is confronted by Lula, who objects to the white children’s presence and Calpurnia’s designation of them as her company. 

“They’s my comp’ny,” said Calpurnia. Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them.

“Yeah, an‘ I reckon you’s comp’ny at the Finch house durin’ the week.” (Ch. 13) 

This incident draws attention to the fact that Calpurnia does not behave like the other African Americans when she is with the Finches, but she does when she is at church.  Calpurnia talks like them, and Scout wonders why.  It is because Calpurnia straddles two worlds.  She is more educated than most of the people at her church.  There are only four who can read, and two of them are Cal and her son Zeebo.  The Finch family taught Cal to read. 

Calpurnia helps the reader understand the lives of African Americans in Maycomb.  She has things better than most, because she is treated well.  However, she is still not equal.  Scout and Jem have never been to her house.  When she sleeps at their house, she sleeps in a cot in the kitchen even though they have a spare bedroom.  As loved and respected as she is, she is still hired help.

Calpurnia is paid by Atticus to watch his children while he's at work. She's more of a mother to the kids than their Aunt Alexandra who comes to live with them. She washes their clothes, feeds them, and teaches them manners. Since she is also African American, she represents her culture living in Maycomb County during the 1930s. She's a good Christian woman who has a good work ethic and is a little superstitious as times. Many of the people in Maycomb, black or white, are superstitious about the Radley family for instance. Scout witnesses Calpurnia say, "There goes the meanest man ever God blew breath into" and then spit off to the side as if to stop bad luck from getting her because he crossed her path.

Another theme that comes through Cal is teaching good manners and tolerance to Scout. Aunt Alexandra seems to take over later on, but in the beginning, Calpurnia is the first to teach Scout about how to behave when company is over. Walter Cunningham Jr. comes over for lunch on Scout's first day of school and pours maple syrup over his non-breakfast-food meal. Scout vocalizes her dismay and Calpurnia says the following:

"Hush your mouth! Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em--if you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!" (24-25).

Later, Calpurnia is a good example of being a hostess as she takes the children to her church on Sunday. She also practices tolerance again as she stands up to those who don't like her bringing white kids to their church. The scene goes as follows:

"When Lula came up the pathway toward us Calpurnia said, 'Stop right there, nigger.'

Lula stopped, but she said, 'You ain't got no business bringin' white chillum  here--they got their church, we got our'n. It is our church, ain't it, Miss Cal?'

Calpurnia said, 'It's the same God, ain't it?' . . . but when I looked at Calpurnia there was amusement in her eyes" (119).

Calpurnia stood her ground, but she didn't hold it against Lula. She and many other people welcomed the Finch children into their church. Fortunately, the children learn the good aspects of Calpurnia's culture as they are treated kindly. Along those lines, the children learn to care about everyone no matter what race or disability they may have.

First, Cal fills the role of a mother figure for Jem and Scout.  While Scout and Cal may clash at times, Cal is deeply protective of Scout and loves her dearly.  

Cal also reinforces one of the main themes of the novel - to crawl inside someone else's skin before you judge them.  This is evident early in the novel when Scout has Walter Cunningham Jr. over for lunch.  He pours syrup all over his lunch.  Scout is shocked and makes Walter feel foolish.  Cal calls her into the kitchen and tells her that she has no right to shame a guest.  Here Scout begins to see that her view of the world is not the only one, for Walter never has syrup to put on any of his meals, so when he is offered the chance, he takes it.

Cal also serves to represent another key theme - race.  This is evident when Cal takes Jem and Scout to her church.  Here Scout learns more of the background concerning the Tom Robinson trial.  She also sees how the African American community has come together to support Tom and his family.  Here too Scout sees that Cal resides in two different worlds (much like Scout herself, for she is straddling the worlds of youth and adulthood and childhood and womanhood).  In the 'white' world, Cal is their educated mother-figure.  In the 'black' world, Cal is a mother to her own children and a member of the church.  This latter world is one Jem and Scout really never knew existed.

Calpurnia, much like Atticus, stands up against racism. She takes Jem and Scout to the African American church where they feel, for the first time, what racism must be like as the congregation is unhappy about Calpurnia's decision to bring white folks to church. What makes this incident even more important is that it illustrates that racism and prejudice cross color lines; that is, paradoxically, the Blacks are prejudiced against the Whites, and this takes place in a religious setting, where one should love his neighbor, no matter the color of skin. Calpurnia also acts as a surrogate mother to the children in the motherless household. This illuminates, perhaps, the reasons why Scout acts the way she does and seems to have problems with other female characters in the book.

Two great questions. Calpurina's purpose in the novel is to serve as a surrogate mother for Jem and Scout. Lee also put her in the novel to show another portrait of a sympathetic and intelligent black character (in addition to Tom). Some critics say the portrayals of Calpurnia and Tom are overly stereotypical, but I think Lee was just trying to make Tom and Calpurnia real. They are also two of the kindest characters in the novel.

Scout's view of Calpurnia changes during the course of the novel. In the early chapters, Scout considers Cal a

... tyrannical presence... Our battles were epic and one-sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side.  (Chapter 1) 

Scout believes that Cal favors Jem and relentlessly picks on her. But Jem has already learned to stay out of Cal's way (just as he later does when Aunt Alexandra comes to live), and Scout slowly comes to realize that Cal is both a friend and role model. It is Scout's revelation about Cal's "modest double life" that both arouses her curiosity and strengthens their relationship. When the children join Cal one Sunday at her church in the Quarters, Scout discovers that Cal is one of the few members of the congregation who can read (she has also taught her son, Zeebo); that she learned to read from Scout's Granddaddy Finch; that she is a respected member of her church (partly because of her esteemed position as the housekeeper of Atticus Finch); and that she had the "command of two languages"--the "fine English" that she speaks in the Finch household, and the "nigger-talk" she uses with her friends in the Quarters. Scout admires the way in which Cal stands up to Lula when the "troublemaker from way back" tries to block the white children from entering her "nigger church." The children's visit to the First Missionary church is a tremendous learning experience for both Jem and Scout, and after Cal explains about "puttin' on airs to beat Moses" is not "ladylike," Scout decides she wants to visit Cal's home in the Quarters to learn even more about her other life. Aside from Miss Maudie, it is Cal who Scout most respects among the women in the story, accepting Cal as a "faithful member of this family." Scout's deeper understanding of Calpurnia later affects her view of the trial of Tom Robinson, and she feels completely at home when she joins the all-Negro gallery on the second floor. Scout sees what most others did not: that Tom is innocent and that the white Ewells are liars.  

by the end of the day, Scout

Calpurnia serves as Scout's example of strong womanhood and femininity. Because both Jem and Scout are motherless (their mother died), Calpurnia helps fill that void as a mother-figure to both children.

Scout learns the joy and skills necessary for such "womanly" arts as cooking and even cleaning by watching Calpurnia, once Cal actually allows her into the kitchen. This occurs mostly around the time that Jem is hitting adolescence, when Calpurnia realizes that Jem needs "time to himself," and so she sequesters Scout in the kitchen with her to give Jem that allotted time. 

Cal does just about everything.  She is officially the housekeeper, but Atticus notes that they could not get along without her.  She is strict but caring.  She tries to raise Scout and Jem as if they were her own children.  She is their surrogate mother.  When Aunt Alexandra wants to send her away, Atticus refuses. 

Scout often thinks that Calpurnia treats them unfairly or is too harsh.  Atticus assures her that she needs to mind Cal and Cal has important things to teach them.  So Cal does much more than cook and clean.

At one point, Cal takes Scout and Jem to her church.  In the story, this serves an important function.  It gives us a window into another culture in Maycomb.  It also gives Scout and Jem a place to view the trial, because they sit with the Reverend in the balcony.