In Chapter 24 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout, the narrator, clearly describes Miss Maudie as being the lady who shows her the most respect at Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle meeting.
Miss Maudie shows Scout the most respect by being the first to speak to her, saying, "You're mighty dressed up, Miss Jean Louise ... Where are your britches today?" Most importantly, when Scout replies, "Under my dress," the other ladies in the room laugh even though she hadn't meant to be funny, except for Miss Maudie. Scout grows very embarrassed when she realizes her faux pas as the other ladies laugh, but Miss Maudie only "look[s] gravely down at [Scout]," meaning very seriously. Scout notes that Miss Maudie "never laughed at [her] unless [she] meant to be funny." The fact that Miss Maudie feels it is important to treat children seriously shows that she feels it is important to treat children with the same amount of respect adults warrant, just as Atticus treats his children. In addition, the fact that Miss Maudie does not laugh at Scout shows she thinks laughing at anyone is disrespectful, even laughing at children, contrary to what the rest of the ladies present think.
Miss Maudie further shows respect to Scout by helping her to control her emotions. Immediately after laughing at Scout for wearing her trousers under her dress, Miss Stephanie Crawford begins teasing Scout by asking her what she wants to be when she grows up, even asking, "Don't you want to grow up to be a lawyer?" The question obviously serves the function of teasing Scout because young girls in this time period, who are real ladies, grew up to be nothing but true ladies who do nothing more than entertain and tend house like Aunt Alexandra. However, Scout states that Miss Maudie touched her hand to remind her of her manners. Scout's mild, well-mannered response, "Nome, just a lady," saves Scout from any further embarrassment because it saves her from further ridicule. When Miss Stephanie pursues the teasing subject by telling Scout she won't make much progress in becoming a lady if she doesn't "start wearing dresses more often," Miss Maudie further saves Scout from any more embarrassment by tightly gripping her hand. The firm touch reminds Scout not to say anything impertinent, and Scout is saved from further embarrassment by not saying anything in reply at all to Miss Stephanie. Soon, the teasing subjects are dropped, and other ladies, like Mrs. Grace Merriweather, begin conversing with Scout.
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