In typical Aunt Alexandra fashion, she starts barking out orders the second she walks in the door of the Finch’s house. Aunt Alexandra is asked by Atticus to help by staying with the children during the trial because he fears for Scout and Jem’s safety. Calpurnia can’t stay at the Finches all the time, so Aunt Alexandra fills in. Aunt Alexandra likes to rule the roost, so to speak, and she thinks she knows how to do everything better than anyone else. Her criticisms of Calpurnia and Scout don’t allow for a very happy visit. She starts ordering Calpurnia around, and later, she tells Atticus that Calpurnia is not needed while she is there. She also starts to criticize Scout for not behaving like a girl and for her lack of southern manners.
Scout describes the moment Aunt Alexandra arrives in this quote: ‘"Put my bag in the front...
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bedroom, Calpurnia," was the first thing Aunt Alexandra said. "Jean Louise, stop scratching your head," was the second thing she said.’
Although Aunt Alexandra is tough, bossy, and doesn’t agree with Atticus defending a black man, she does soften by the end of the novel when she realizes what Atticus, Scout, and Jem go through during the trial and afterwards.
How is Aunt Alexandra's first statement typical of her in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Scout’s aunt’s orders are typical of her because she is a very bossy and opinionated lady.
Aunt Alexandra comes to town and immediately begins bossing people around.
"Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia," was the first thing Aunt Alexandra said. "Jean Louise, stop scratching your head," was the second thing she said. (ch 13)
Even though no one knew she was coming, Aunt Alexandra jumps right in and begins ordering people around. Her order to Calpurnia shows that she sees no need to be polite to the black servant. She does not say “hello” or “how do you do” or any other pleasantry.
I heard the suitcase hit the bedroom floor with a thump. The sound had a dull permanence about it. (ch 13)
Aunt Alexandra also feels that she has the right to tell Scout what to do and what not to do. She does not say how long she is staying. She is not the sentimental, loving or motherly type. She does not greet Scout or give her a hug. She just tells her not to scratch her head. She also uses her real name, and not her nickname. This further shows her distance from the family.