What Are Streaks In To Kill A Mockingbird?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A ‘streak' is

a set of behaviors that are passed from generation to generation

. Scout's theory provides for compassion for one's situation and an opportunity for a person to learn and grow and do better once they know better.

Why does Aunt Alexandra focus on streaks?

Aunt Alexandra's theory is that nobility is found in the genes of a family. So, in an effort to teach Jem and Scout how to behave properly, Aunt Alexandra points out other families (different breeding) and the “streaks” that seem to

flow throughout each line

.

Would you say the finches have an incestuous streak?

Atticus said: “Sister, when you stop to think about it, our generation's practically the first in the Finch family not to marry its cousins. Would you say the Finches have an Incestuous Streak?”

Aunty said no, that's where we got our small hands and feet

.

How is Aunt Alexandra Judgemental?

Scout would also call Aunt Alexandra judgmental, unfair, prissy, and hypocritical. Readers see her judgment as

she criticizes Atticus for the way he raises the children

. Her unfair treatment comes out when she supports Francis instead of Scout.

What does Aunt Alexandra mean by a streak?

As Scout tells the reader, according to Aunt Alexandra, “Everybody in Maycomb, it seemed, had a Streak:

a Drinking Streak, a Gambling Streak

, a Mean Streak, a Funny Streak.” She also believes that a family's goodness has less to do with the way the members conduct themselves and more to do with how long the family has …

Why does Aunt Alexandra want to dismiss Calpurnia?

The subtext behind the reason that Aunt Alexandra thinks Atticus should dismiss Calpurnia is

that Scout is becoming too friendly with African-American people and wants to visit Calpurnia at her house

.

How does Jem prove Aunt Alexandra's theory wrong?

Jem interprets his aunt's statements about “

Old Family

” as meaning that the longer “your family's been readin' and writin,” the better your family is, which is why Aunt Alexandra sees the Finches as being of higher standing than other families (Chapter 23).

What did Scout realize that made her feel bad?

She realizes with sadness that

Boo had always given to her and Jem

, but they had not given him anything in return. … We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing, and it made me sad.” Scout feels guilty for only taking from Boo.

What do Atticus and Aunt Alexandra argue about?

Aunt Alexandra and Atticus argue

over the way Atticus has raised the children, particularly Scout;

saying she needs to learn lady-like ways. Scout and Jem fight over causing trouble for Atticus.

What makes Scout cry while Atticus is talking with her and Jem?

what makes scout cry while Atticus is talking with her and Jem? She is upset because Atticus is not acting like himself and is telling them things he does not believe in:

“This was not my father.

Why has Aunt Alexandra decided to live with the Finch family?

Why has Aunt Alexandra decided to live with the Finch family?

To provide a “feminine influence” for Scout

. … She is a teacher at Scout's school. She becomes best friends with Miss Maudie.

Why does Aunt Alexandra think Scout dull?

Alexandra thinks Scout is “dull” (not clever). …

Because she doesn't do things that a typical girl would do

, and she thinks Scout is boring.

What does Jem say he will do if Scout antagonizes Aunt Alexandra?

What does Jem say he will do if Scout antagonizes Aunt Alexandra?

He will make her life miserable. He will tell Atticus. He will not let her go out with him.

How does Aunt Alexandra impact Scout?

Lesson Summary

Aunt Alexandra does her

best to convert Scout from her boyish ways and enforces ladylike behavior and attire

. She also impresses upon Scout the importance of and the status of the Finch family in Maycomb County.

How does Scout describe Aunt Alexandra?

Scout describes Aunt Alexandra as

a solid looking woman, who wears clothes that pinch her waist and lift her bosom

.

What is Aunt Alexandra concerned with?

For one thing, Aunt Alexandra is concerned with

maintaining the good name of the Finch family

, which has a history of wealth and high class in Maycomb County. Second, she is devoted to ensuring Scout grows up to be a “proper lady,” and she moves in with Atticus to provide a feminine influence for his children.

Rachel Ostrander
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Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.