TKAM- Character Relationships

Character Pair:

Aunt Alexandra and Atticus 

Format:

a. Similarities to each other 

b. Differences from each other

c. Relationship to Scout

d. Effect on Scout

        Aunt Alexandra and Atticus are alike in a few ways. One of the obvious ways is that the are both related. They are siblings. Another way they are alike is that they both want the best for Scout. Atticus gives several different life lessons to Scout throughout the book. He also reads to her, which has taught her how to read at a very young age. Aunt Alexandra tries to teach Scout to be a proper lady. She tries to tell her to wear dresses, to stay clean, to not swear, etc. She tries to teach Scout how to be more like a girl, which Scout finds offensive. 

         Aunt Alexandra and Atticus are also different. Atticus accepts Scout for who she is and admires the person that she is. He doesn't mind if she wears overalls or hangs out with boys. Aunt Alexandra on the other hand, tries to change Scout and doesn't like the fact that Scout doesn't act like a girl. Aunt Alexandra tells her that she needs to wear dresses and act proper. Another way that Aunt Alexandra and Atticus are different is that Aunt Alexandra is more narrow-minded and racist. She doesn't like African-Americans, doesn't think they should be trusted, and wants to follow the tradition of segregation. Atticus on the contrary defends African-Americans and accepts and respects everyone for who they are. 

         Aunt Alexandra and Atticus each have their own unique relationship with Scout. Aunt Alexandra and Scout's relationship isn't a very strong one. Scout compares her to Mt. Everest because she was just cold and there. Their relationship is more of a I-tell-you-what-to-do-and-you-have-to-do-it type of relationship where Aunt Alexandra is the one telling that to Scout. Atticus and Scout's relationship is a very strong one. Atticus treats Scout like an adult and respects her, receiving that same respect back. If there is an agreement, Atticus listens to her and her side to a story and then goes from there, unlike Aunt Alexandra. 

          Both Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have an impact on Scout. Aunt Alexandra has more of a negative impact on Scout. Alexandra is always saying how bad Scout is and how bad she is going to turn out in the future. This makes Scout mad, therefore getting negatively impacted. Atticus has a positive impact on Scout. He is the one who taught her to read. He also teaches her important life lessons that Scout listens to and acts on them. Atticus said for example, "...you just hold your head high and keep those fits down."(P.76 Hardcover). Scout listened to him when she felt the need to beat up a kid at school. She said, "...then dropped my fists and walked away...It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight."(P.76-77 Hadcover). This shows that Scout is learning to be a better person from Atticus.