In chapter 2, Miss Caroline begins the lesson by reading Scout's class a story about talking cats that live in a warm home beneath a kitchen stove. Scout mentions,

"Miss Caroline seemed unaware that the ragged, denim-shirted and floursack-skirted first grade, most of whom had chopped cotton and fed hogs from the time they were able to walk, were immune to imaginative literature" (Lee, 17).

Miss Caroline is not familiar with the community of Maycomb and expects the country children to appreciate the imaginative story. Her purpose of reading the story to the children is to inspire them to use their imaginations and discover that reading can be fun.

Later on, Miss Caroline finds out that Scout can read fluently and tells Scout that her father should not teach her anymore because it would interfere with her reading. Scout then attempts to explain to her teacher that Atticus never taught her how to read and recites Jem's fanciful explanation of how she was born with the ability to read. Miss Caroline then intervenes and tells Scout,

"Let’s not let our imaginations run away with us, dear...Now you tell your father not to teach you any more. It’s best to begin reading with a fresh mind" (Lee, 17).

Miss Caroline's comments are contradictory in several ways. Miss Caroline had just finished encouraging the children to use their imaginations while simultaneously illustrating how reading can be amusing. She then contradicts herself by criticizing Scout's use of imagination and chastises Scout's father for reading to her. Miss Caroline evidently has rigid views of education and does not understand or appreciate Scout's advanced abilities.