Chapter 13: Brian Weisenbloom

Plot Summary

The chapter starts off with Aunt Alexandra telling her she will be staying for a while to give some help and give Scout some “feminine influence”. Right off the bat, Scout is being annoyed by Aunt Alexandra and doesn’t even know what to say to her. Then, Atticus comes home and immediately Scout lies to him when he asks if she would like Aunt Alexandra to stay with them for a while. Maycomb takes Aunt Alexandra in right away and all the neighbors are so kind they bake her cakes and invite her over for coffee. Within a short period of time it is like Aunt Alexandra had lived there her whole life. One day, as Scout came in for some water, Aunt Alexandra invited Scout in to the living room to talk to some ladies. Evidently, the first person Scout was introduced to is her cousin. She didn’t know however, and when she asked who it was Aunt Alexandra looked at her with scorn. Angered that Atticus never taught the children about the Finch Family, she sat them down, read them a book and tried to teach them to have some pride for their family. At the end of the chapter, Atticus was sent into the children’s room and speak to them about the Finch family. He said that they must start living up to the name, acting like the lady and gentleman they are. While saying this, he sounded nervous and was fidgeting. It was easy to tell he was not put up to this and that this is not what he believed. With Scout left in tears, he told the children to forget it and left the room.

Major Changes and Developments

Many conflicts have started and become heated with Aunt Alexandra in the house. Ongoing conflicts between her and Scout arose. Aunt Alexandra continues to try to tell Scout to be more like a lady. Scout still loves to have fun outside, and continues to get muddy. Also, Aunt Alexandra is trying to take the place of Calpurnia who she has deemed as unnecessary. She lectures the kids and tries to tell the kids about the Finch Family, but the kids continue to barley listen. With that not working, she turns to Atticus is makes him go talk to the kids. Atticus tries to scold them and change them, but it is truly not in his heart to do that. Also, a few of Jem and Scout’s cousins are introduced. One cousin, Lily Brooke, is over with Aunt Alexandra and a bunch of other girls. Another cousin, Joshua, is talked about as being a man who went to jail for attempting to shoot the president.

Significant Quotations

“I never understood her preoccupation with heredity. Somewhere, I had received the impression that Fine Folks were people who did the best they could with the sense they had, but Aunt Alexandra was of the opinion, obliquely expressed, that the longer a family had been squatting on one patch of land the finer it was” (Lee 173). This quote is significant because it displays how different Scout and Aunt Alexandra’s opinions were. It shows that Scout and Aunt Alexandra clash in about every subject, and don’t have much in common.

“I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work” (Lee 179). This quote is significant because Atticus is trying to do the job of a mom. In those days, the mom would teach the kids manners and talk to them about pride with the family. Since Calpurnia was like their only mother figure, and she is not one of the Finches, the background of the Finch Family was never explained to the kids.

Literary Elements

“Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove” (Lee 175). This is an example of a simile because it is comparing the ability of Aunt Alexandra fitting into Maycomb to the way a hand fits into a glove using like.

Vocabulary

Shinny (171) – (n.) A slang term for liquor; usually whiskey or bourbon.

Myopic (174) – (adj.) Pertaining to or having myopia; nearsighted.

Critical Thinking:

1. How much of an impact do you think Aunt Alexandra will have on the family? Explain.

2. Will Atticus force a change in his kids? Why or Why Not?