In Chapter 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird, briefly show the differences in attitudes toward the Cunninghams as expressed by Atticus and Aunt Alexandra.Have a seperate paragraph for both and explain in...


Have a seperate paragraph for both and explain in just one paragraph please.

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bullgatortail eNotes educator| Certified Educator

Atticus always sees the best in all people (aside from possibly Bob Ewell), and it is not surprising that Atticus takes a positive view of the Cunningham family. He had previously explained to Scout about how the Cunninghams were poor but honest and how Walter Cunningham would slowly but surely make payment for Atticus's legal representation. Atticus would not have been blamed for abandoning his beliefs after several of the Cunninghams threatened to take Tom Robinson and lynch him, but Atticus realized that a gang of men were " 'still human,' " and that they had gained "considerable respect for the Finches" when Atticus stood up to them at the jail. "Atticus said he had a feeling, nothing more than a suspicion" that the Cunninghams could be counted on to support him, and this was why Atticus allowed one of the family to remain on the jury. Atticus's hunch proved correct: Cunningham was the lone holdout.

As for Aunt Alexandra, she believed that Walter Jr. was "trash," and that the Cunninghams were different from the Ewell family who had been "the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations." Alexandra believed young Walter would be a bad influence on Scout, and she adamantly refused to allow the Cunningham boy to come to the Finch house to play with Scout. Walter Jr. was not part of the "fine folks" and "gentle breeding" that Alexandra deemed so important to a person's upbringing.

gmuss25 eNotes educator| Certified Educator

In Chapter 23, Atticus tells the children that one of the Cunninghams on the jury voted to acquit Tom Robinson. Atticus then mentions that one has to get to know the Cunninghams to truly understand their family. Atticus respects the fact that the Cunninghams hadn't taken anything from anybody since they migrated to the New World. Atticus also comments on the family's loyalty and tells his children that they earned their respect the night at the jailhouse. Atticus understands the Cunningham family on a personal level and has respect for them. He does not judge them based on their social class, but instead judges the members of their family by their character. 

In contrast, Aunt Alexandra is prejudice towards the Cunningham family. When Scout asks her father if she can play with Walter Cunningham, Alexandra says, "We'll see about that" (Lee 137). When Scout asks why, Aunt Alexandra tells her that the Cunninghams aren't their kind of "folks." Alexandra comments on the Cunningham's drinking streak and terrible hygiene. Alexandra then calls Walter Cunningham "trash" which upsets Scout. Aunt Alexandra feels that the Cunningham family is beneath them and does not have respect for them because they occupy a lower social class.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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