Chapter 3
9. Who is Calpurnia? What is her place in the Finch household?
Calpurnia is the Finch’s black housekeeper and nanny who has been with them since Jem was born. She cooks, cleans, sews, irons and does all the other household chores, but she also disciplines the children. Atticus holds her in very high esteem and insists that the children respect her completely. Scout argues with Cal a lot, but never gets her way. Although Cal seems stern, she clearly cares about the family and takes good care of them.
10. What is Walter Cunningham like? What does his behavior during lunch suggest about his home life?
Walter is from a poor farming family. He is polite and shy and very proud—he will take no charity from anyone. When he eats with the Finches it is clear from his conversation with Atticus that he takes on adult responsibilities at home and understands about farming. He does not have very sophisticated manners, a fact he shows by pouring molasses all over his food.
11. What do you think of the way Atticus treats Walter?
Atticus shows respect for Walter, as he does for everyone. He may want to be an example to his kids of how important it is to interact respectfully with everyone, regardless of social standing. Atticus talks to Walter like he is an adult, talking to him about crops and his family’s farm.
12. Does Scout learn anything from Walter's visit? What do you think this is?
Scout learns that judging other people just shows your own lack of class. Calpurnia sees to it that Scout learns this lesson. When Scout criticizes Walter for pouring syrup all over his food, Cal calls her out to the kitchen and gives her a verbal lashing. Scout is humiliated and eats the rest of her meal in the kitchen.
13. Atticus says that you never really understand a person “until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”. What does this mean?
Everyone has his own perspective and experience that form the decisions he makes and the actions he takes. Until you understand these things about a person, you should not judge him. So you have to try to imagine another person’s life and try to understand why she is the way she is instead of judging.