Chapter 12: Scott Veilleux

Scott Veilleux

Plot Summary

In chapter twelve, Scout explains how Jem no longer wants to hang out with her now that he is twelve. Scout now awaits Dill to come home for summer, but receives a letter from him saying that he is going to stay with his family in Meridian. Later Scout finds out Atticus has to leave to the state capital for two weeks because of the state legislature. With Atticus gone, Calpurnia does not trust Jem and Scout to go to church on their own, so she takes them to her church. Calpurnia cleans Jem and Scout to look good at church, which is a black church. When they go to church, Calpurnia is immediately criticized for bringing white children to the church by Lula. The priest, Reverend Sykes, welcomes Scout and Jem to the church. Reverend Sykes later closes the doors of the church because he did not receive enough money from everyone. Once they all leave the church, Scout and Jem question Calpurnia. They ask her why she talked differently and what rape is. Calpurnia answers that she wants to just blend in, and she answers that Scout must ask Atticus what rape is. Once they arrive home they see Aunt Alexandra sitting on their porch with her bags.

Major changes and developments

One of the main characters that changes is Jem, because Jem becomes tired of hanging out with Scout. Also, Scout changes because she had a positive look on her life at home, but now is pessimistic due to Jem ignoring her and Atticus being gone. Lula, an African American lady, is introduced along with Reverend Sykes, the priest of Calpurnia’s church. Scout is faced with the conflict that she can no longer hang out with Jem. This problem worsens when Dill does not come home for summer, and when Atticus leaves. At the end of the chapter, Aunt Alexandra is sitting on the porch, which may lead to a new conflict for Scout because they do not get along.

Significant Quotations

In chapter twelve while Calpurnia is fixing up Scout and Jem, she says “I don’t want anybody sayin’ I don’t look after my children” (157). Calpurnia acts as a mother to Scout and Jem because she calls them her children. She also is not racist at all because she takes them in as if they were her own children, regardless of their skin color. Later Calpurnia goes on to explain to Scout, “You're not gonna change any of them by talkin' right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.'"(167) Calpurnia tells Scout why she speaks properly around the Finch’s and like the black community when at church. She also tries to teach Scout how to be ladylike.

Literary Elements

One literary elements used in this chapter is foreshadowing. This is because at the end of the chapter Scout sees Aunt Alexandra on her porch. Aunt Alexandra and Scout do not get along well, so this warns the reader that another conflict will be introduced. Also, she has her bags with her which is a sign that she is planning on not going back. This can lead to a major conflict for Scout.

Vocabulary

(156) Habiliments - The special dress or garb associated with an occasion or office. Often used in the plural

(157) Denoted - To serve as an indication

Critical Thinking

Why do you think Aunt Alexandra is on the porch?

Do you think Dill will ever return to Maycomb?