Discuss the role of family in To Kill a Mockingbird, paying close attention to Aunt Alexandra.

I suppose we can pick two extremes here. The Ewell family is destined or catastrophe. The family, if you can call it that, is always in a state of sordid poverty and dysfunction. Bob Ewell is the father and is perpetually drunk and unemployed. His relationship with his daughter Mayella is questionable in the most horrid sense imaginable. Their destiny is bleak. Atticus and his family, I include Calpurnia, is progressive, empathetic and bright. Atticus has fostered a very human atmosphere that teaches his kids the very meaning of loyalty, dignity and courage. Their destiny is the polar opposites of the Ewells. The Finch family means hope for the American South and people in general.Although Aunt Alexandra seems rather corpulent at first, we find that many of her values around family loyalty and staying strong under pressure are shared. In the end she supports her brother despite what the whites in the town say or do.

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver

GradeSaver..................

The significance of family is flawlessly displayed through the two inverse families, The Finch’s and the Elwell’s. The Elwell’s are the lowest of the low when it comes to hierarchy in Maycomb, because of their mindset, standard of living and lack of empathy. Bob Elwell is relentlessly drunk and fails to preserve a positive reputation with his family, especially Mayella. Mayella has taken up the task of caring for her brothers and sisters which results in her spending her whole life at home. She is trying to make a change but she is constantly stopped by her father who physically assaults her. The Elwell’s home is also reflects their attitude towards life and family. They live on the backdoor of the dump, which affects their outlook on life and attitude towards each other. On the other hand, the Finches are the exact opposite. Atticus is the character that inspires his readers to want to be more like him. He is an honest man who knows what is right and injects his right morals into his family, including Calpurnia. Jem and Scout go on to obtain similar morals throughout the story. The Finch’s justice towards all people make them more open and approachable to the black people of Maycomb. The Finch outlook makes them more bonded as they share the same views on life.