Scout describes Aunt Alexandra’s comments about her overalls in Chapter 9.
The description of Aunt Alexandra is in the chapter where Scout and her family go to Finches’ Landing for Christmas. Scout explains why she doesn’t get along with Alexandra. Her aunt wants her to be more feminine.
But the only time I ever heard Atticus speak sharply to anyone was when I once heard him say, “Sister, I do the best I can with them!” It had something to do with my going around in overalls. Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. (Ch. 9, p. 108)
Atticus is raising Scout and Jem alone, since their mother died when Scout was little. He usually does not put pressure on Scout to be lady-like. When she is around her aunt, this can cause trouble. Aunt Alexandra feels like Scout is her responsibility. Atticus tells Scout that Alexandra doesn’t understand little girls because she only has a boy.
Scout tries to explain to Alexandra that she can’t do anything in a dress. Alexandra tells her that she should not need to anything that requires pants!
Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born … (Ch. 9, p. 108)
Atticus tries to placate Alexandra. In addition to worrying about what Scout wears, she wants the children to understand their place in the social hierarchy of Maycomb. Atticus tries to explain to them what it means to be from an old and respected family and how important that is. This conversation upsets Scout, because Atticus has never cared about it before.
When Alexandra comes to stay with them during the trial, Scout thinks nothing could be worse. There are definitely issues, but Scout comes to understand her aunt better. She realizes she really does care about her brother. Scout even comes to admire the way Alexandra responds to the ladies of Maycomb and their drama.
Note: page numbers are from the 50th Anniversary Edition
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