Admirable People In To Kill A Mockingbird

Words: 1882
Pages: 8

Have you ever thought your self-worth was based on your family's social status of your family? Although many characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, base their self-worth on the social status of their family of origin, the truth is that the most admirable people in the novel “were people who did the best they could with the sense they had.” The most admirable people in the novel who did the best they could do with the most they have were Tom Robinson, Calpurnia, and Jem. Some people think they aren’t admirable because they are doing these things to help themselves but, they are trying to do the best they can with the little they have to help themself and their loved ones. Tom, Calpurnia, and Jem all are admirable, not because …show more content…
Calpurnia is admirable because she learned how to read when all her friends and family members couldn't; she taught her son to read. In the text it states, “Maybe because they can’t read. Cal, did you teach Zeebo?’ ‘Yeah Mister Jem. There wasn’t a school even when he was a boy. I made him learn, though.”(166) Calpurnia is admirable because she taught her son how to read when no one expected him to learn. Also, Calpurnia is admirable because no one wanted Jem and Scout to be at her church, but she said they could be there because they were her company. In To Kill a Mockingbird it says “I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church’ ‘They’s my comp’ny,’ said Calpurnia… ‘Yeah, I reckon you’s comp’ny at the Finch house durin’ the week.’... ‘You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here- they got their church, we go our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’ … ‘It’s the same God, ain’t it?” (158) Calpurnia tries to get Jem and Scout into the church even if it means having to argue with one of her friends. Lastly, Calpurnia is admirable because she treats Jem and Scout like her own children even though she works for them. In the novel it states “He ain’t company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham-’ ‘Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty…”(33) Calpurnia yells and punishes Jem and Scout like they are her own children because she feels like they are her children, which make her admirable. People may think she isn’t admirable because she is paid to take care of Jem and Scout but they are wrong because the Finch’s treat her like she is family, no matter where she is from and her race. This is stated on page 182 and 183, “Alexandra,