Moniem's English Journal

TKAM Chapter 12

How is Calpurnia’s identity shown in Chapter 12?

Calpurnia’s identity is shown as unidentifiable to her. Harper Lee implicitly illustrates that Calpurnia doesn’t understand who she is. In chapter 12 she says,  “ Grew up down there between the Buford place and the Landin’. I’ve spent all my days workin’ for the Finches or the Bufords…” and “I don’t have a birthday.” Which implies to me that Calpurnia doesn’t have time for herself and her own life as a matter of fact, although she has children and grand-children she does not really have a maternal relationship that one should have. Calpurnia is being shown contempt from the two lives she supposedly lives, the close, personal black maid and a negro member of Maycomb society. Both of her identities are backfiring on her as she is being frowned upon by the black society for being weirdly close to the Finches, while for simply being black she’s disliked by the white people of Maycomb. This generates sympathy for her.

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One response to “TKAM Chapter 12”

  1. jnorth Avatar
    jnorth

    Moniem,

    You clearly understand the character and you have shown a good focus on the task. I would like you to try to develop analysis by focusing on descriptions and exploring what they might tell us about the character.

    Targets:
    1) Your first two sentences can be combined into one = how might you do this? How might you be more concise?
    2) Try to avoid a phrase such as ‘both of her identities are backfiring on her’ How might you make your meaning clearer?
    3) How might this compare to our earlier impressions of Cal? Has our opinion of her changed? Why?

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