Miss Maudie Character Analysis

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Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie are two characters who grow up together at Finch’s Landing, yet both characters develop into much different people. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents these two characters in great contrast. While Aunt Alexandra is shown as harsh and strict, Miss Maudie is shown as being more free-willed and understanding. Even so, both characters are crucial to the development of Scout. Although Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie have quite different beliefs and actions, their intentions share many similarities. One of the most obvious differences between Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie is through their beliefs. Aunt Alexandra is a very traditional person who strongly supports the classical gender roles; however, …show more content…
While Aunt Alexandra can be quite strict, Miss Maudie is free-spirited. One of the most apparent examples for Aunt Alexandra is seen when she finds out Scout goes to Calpurnia’s church once. Aunt Alexandra’s response is that Scout cannot visit Calpurnia from then on. In situations like these, Aunt Alexandra often tells Scout what she can and cannot do. Miss Maudie, on the other hand, allows more freedom. The most noticeable way that is shown in Miss Maudie’s and Scout’s agreement: Scout can to do whatever she wants in Miss Maudie’s yard, as long as the azaleas remain undisturbed. There is one way, however, that these two characters show a similarity in their actions, and that is when neither attend Tom Robinson’s trial. However, both people have different reasons. But Miss Maudie is not just free-spirited; she listens to Scout and treats her with respect. Most of all, Miss Maudie understands Scout. When Scout says something embarrassing at the Missionary Society's meeting, Scout states that, "[Miss Maudie] never [laughs] at me unless I [mean] to be funny" (Lee 307). Then there is Aunt Alexandra, who only wants it her own way, treats Scout in a harsh manner, and puts Scout into uncomfortable situations like the Missionary Society's meeting. With all things considered, Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie act like complete