As a result of her belief in the caste system of Maycomb County, Aunt Alexandra adheres to certain attitudes and behaviors.
1. Her Place in Society
Because she is from landed gentry, Aunt Alexandra feels herself superior to others, even to the point of stereotyping them.
No Crawford Minds His Own Business, Every Third Merriweather is Morbid, The Truth Is Not in the Delafields, All the Bufords Walk Like That,....
She is a lady and dresses as such (girdle, gloves); she belongs to the social groups of her societal level, performing such social functions as the Missionary Tea.
She also speaks to her brother about the children's behavior. So, having been asked to counsel them, Atticus tells Scout and Jem,
"Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations' gentel breeding---"
When Aunt Alexandra learns that the children have been in the courtroom and have been sitting in the Colored Section, she is mortified.
2. Her Interaction with Others
Aunt Alexandra raises objects to certain situations and behaviors in Atticus's home. For instance, she disputes the important role that Calpurnia plays in the family; in fact, she urges Atticus to fire her. When she holds the Missionary Tea, she does not allow Calpurnia to make the teacakes; she is only allowed to serve the ladies.
When Scout mentions that she and Jem went to church with Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra is appalled; further, she refuses to allow Scout to visit her home. Later, when Scout would like to have Walter Cunningham come to their house to play, Aunt Alexandra objects because the Cunninghams are not on the appropriate social level.
3. Others' Interaction with Aunt Alexandra
Her brother Atticus does not place the importance upon social standing that Alexandra does. He defends Calpurnia when Alexandra disparages her, telling her to her dismay,
"She's a faithful member of this family and you'll simply have to accept things the way they are."
At the Missionary Tea, when Mrs. Merriweather makes insulting innuendos, about Atticus, Alexandra makes no direct comment because she fears social repercussions. Instead, she leaves it to Miss Maudie to perform the rebuttal to Mrs. Merriweather's insult. Afterwards, Alexandra gives Miss Maudie "a look of pure gratitude...."
Despite her criticisms, Aunt Alexandra does love her family. She is very distraught about what the town is doing to Atticus, who defends Tom Robinson because he has been assigned the case and because it is the ethical thing to do. She tells Miss Maudie,
"It tears him to pieces....I've seen him when--what else do they want from him, Maudie, what else?"
And, despite her scolding Scout for her tomboy ways, when Scout is dressed for the tea and sitting quietly like a little lady, her aunt smiles at her. She looks at a tray of cookies, encouraging Scout to ignore the insults and pass the tray; Scout carefully picks up the tray and moves among the women emulating Aunt Alexandra's ladylike behavior.
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