Aunt Alexandra certainly believes that she and the Finch family belong to an upper class. Scout notes that Aunt Alexandra never misses an opportunity to demonstrate this "royal" position, especially in instructing others:
She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.
Aunt Alexandra's penchant for proper behavior gives her a sense of entitlement, and she thinks this justifies her criticisms of...
Aunt Alexandra certainly believes that she and the Finch family belong to an upper class. Scout notes that Aunt Alexandra never misses an opportunity to demonstrate this "royal" position, especially in instructing others:
She was never bored, and given the slightest chance she would exercise her royal prerogative: she would arrange, advise, caution, and warn.
Aunt Alexandra's penchant for proper behavior gives her a sense of entitlement, and she thinks this justifies her criticisms of other people. According to Scout, Aunt Alexandra would have something to say about everyone:
Everybody in Maycomb, it seemed, had a Streak: a Drinking Streak, a Gambling Streak, a Mean Streak, a Funny Streak.
Aunt Alexandra insists (to Atticus) that the children learn of their family heritage. She feels that the Finches are of a higher class than most and the children should therefore live up to that proper station and behave properly. Near the end of the chapter, Atticus sits down with the children to impart this notion:
Atticus persevered in spite of us: “She asked me to tell you you must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are. She wants to talk to you about the family and what it’s meant to Maycomb County through the years, so you’ll have some idea of who you are, so you might be moved to behave accordingly,” he concluded at a gallop.
Atticus knows this is condescending to other people. He is just trying to placate Alexandra. However, he then comes to his senses and tells the children to forget about being proper and living up to the family name.
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