<P> Calpurnia , nicknamed Cal , is the Finch family 's African - American housekeeper , whom the children love and Atticus deeply respects ( he remarks in her defense that she `` never indulged ( the children ) like most colored nurses '' ) . She is highly regarded by Atticus . She is an important figure in Scout 's life , providing discipline , instruction , and love . She also fills the maternal role for the children after their mother 's death . Calpurnia is a mother herself and raised her son , Zeebo , to adulthood . Calpurnia is one of the few black characters in the novel who is able to read and write , and it is she who taught Scout to write . She learned how to read from Miss Maudie 's aunt , Miss Buford , who taught her how to read out of Blackstone 's Commentaries , a book given to her . Aunt Alexandra despised Calpurnia because Alexandra believed that Calpurnia was not a `` maternal figure '' for Jem and Scout , especially for Scout . </P>
<P> Calpurnia , nicknamed Cal , is the Finch family 's African - American housekeeper , whom the children love and Atticus deeply respects ( he remarks in her defense that she `` never indulged ( the children ) like most colored nurses '' ) . She is highly regarded by Atticus . She is an important figure in Scout 's life , providing discipline , instruction , and love . She also fills the maternal role for the children after their mother 's death . Calpurnia is a mother herself and raised her son , Zeebo , to adulthood . Calpurnia is one of the few black characters in the novel who is able to read and write , and it is she who taught Scout to write . She learned how to read from Miss Maudie 's aunt , Miss Buford , who taught her how to read out of Blackstone 's Commentaries , a book given to her . Aunt Alexandra despised Calpurnia because Alexandra believed that Calpurnia was not a `` maternal figure '' for Jem and Scout , especially for Scout . </P>
who is the person who helps to take care of jem and scout
who is the person who helps to take care of jem and scout
Calpurnia
Calpurnia