Calpurnia acts as a mother to the children since Scout was only 2 years old. She is disciplined and firm towards the children. Scout describes her as a "tyrannical presence" with a "hand as wide as a bed slat and twice as hard" – we see her use this hand to deliver scout a "stinging smack" when she comments on Walter Cunningham Jr's eating habits. She is indispensible to the finch household and is always supported by Atticus who says they couldn't "operate a single day" without her.
             She imposes stricter discipline on the children than a mother would, as said by atticus to Aunt Alexandra. She is not only a disciplinarian, but she is also affectionate towards the children in her own way and shows her soft side often, like during Scout's first day of School – she makes crackling bread and tells her how she missed them during the day. Calpurnia is efficient and brave – when the mad dog appears, she gets the children inside, telephones Atticus, and phones Eula May to warn the entire neighbourhood, and runs across the street to tell the Radleys, as they had no phone .
             Scout is the antithesis of Aunt Alexandra and what she stands for. Scout is the new Southern woman; strong willed, opinionated, and accepting. The relics of racism and classicism that occupy Aunt Alex and her standards are not present in Scout. Although she is still young, and under the guidance of Atticus, we get an impression of what Scout will become as she gets older. She does not carry the racism and double standards that the rest of the town carries. Rather, she forms a code of conduct very similar to Atticus; a code of understanding and acceptance of all human beings. Scout is not nearly as mellow as Atticus, though. She can be very outspoken and isn't afraid to challenge others whenever she sees fit, sometimes with her fists. But Scout is the true heroine of the novel.
             ...