The
ever-observantnotices that Calpurnia speaks differently when she's in the Finch residence to how
she does when she's with other African-Americans, such as when she goes to church each Sunday.
Scout is naturally curious as to why this is.
The answer's very simple: it's
a case of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In practical terms, this means that
Calpurnia changes the way she speaks depending on whom she's taking to. So when she's among her
own people at church, she talks the way they do. And when she's at the Finch residence, she
switches to a different register.
In both cases, Calpurnia just wants to fit
in. As she explains to Scout, if she starts talking at church the way she does at the Finchs',
then people might think she's putting on airs and graces, that she regards herself as better
than everyone else. And this is the last thing that Calpurnia would want to happen. She likes
going to church, not just because she's a deeply devout woman but also because she enjoys the
company of the people she meets there. Talking in a different way might very well alienate them,
leaving Calpurnia feeling isolated and alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment