AUut Alexandra's Missionary Circle meeting is a prime example for Scout of the hypocrisy of the adult world. Aunt Alexandra tries so hard to make Scout behave like a lady. After reading this chapter, the reader would hope Scout turns in to anything but a "proper" lady.
First, the ladies are upset about the way the black community has responded to the outcome of the trial. One of the ladies says that she told her hired help, Sophie, that she had to stop acting so gloomy or else she would have to fire Sophie. Clearly, these women have no understanding of empathy or how the black community must feel because these women do not see black people as "real" people.
Second, the ladies talk about J. Everet Grimes who is a missionary doing work with an African tribe called the Mrunas. The ladies agree they should help Mr. Grimes but won't help the blacks in their own community.
The ladies, specifically, Mrs. Merriweather, insult Atticus in his own home, eating his food, served by his cook at a tea attended by his sister and his daughter. The ladies also make fun of Scout for being a tomboy and wanting to be like her father.
The one good outcome of the chapter is when Scout observes Aunt Alexandra and Miss Maudie going back into the meeting, right after hearing of Tom's death. They are still polite and civilized, and Scout realizes that's truly what being a lady means.
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