Aunt Alexandra Arrives

Aunt Alexandra arrives unexpectedly to live with the Finches, intending to provide 'feminine influence' for Scout. She is formal, proper, and deeply concerned with family heritage and social standing. She immediately clashes with Scout's tomboyish ways and tries to instill a sense of 'gentle breeding.' She hosts Missionary Society meetings and becomes a fixture in Maycomb society. Atticus, under pressure from Alexandra, awkwardly tries to lecture Jem and Scout about behaving like a lady and gentleman, but he quickly abandons the effort, realizing it is not in his nature. Scout feels the coldness of Alexandra's presence and misses the easy warmth of their previous life.