Calpurnia is definitely not a slave and is treated as a revered member of the Finch household. Calpurnia is a paid cook and maid, who also acts as one of Scout and Jem's surrogate mothers throughout the story. Unlike other black housemaids, Atticus gives Calpurnia the authority to discipline his children, and he has complete trust in Calpurnia as a guardian. Atticus values Calpurnia and defends her in chapter 14 when Alexandra suggests that he fire Calpurnia. Calpurnia is one of the few educated black women in Maycomb's community and explains to the children in chapter 12 how she learned to read from Miss Buford. Calpurnia used to work for the Burfords before she got a job at Finch's Landing and moved to Maycomb to work for Atticus and his wife. It is also important to note that the novel takes place in the 1930s, and slavery was abolished in 1865. While Calpurnia's parents may have been slaves, she was certainly never a slave and is a well-paid employee.