Who they turn out to be is a reflection of who they had as role models. Albert Schweitzer stated that “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It's the only thing.” Therefore, who Scout and Jem are has to do with the examples they set for them. Aunt Alexandra, Calpurnia, and Atticus, while different, all played an important role in shaping the character of Jem and Scouts. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay One role model in Scout and Jem's life is Aunt Alexandra. She is the sister of their father, Atticus. It's clear that Jem and Scout don't have the best feelings towards their aunt, hence their reactions when she reveals that she's here to stay. “For a time in Maycomb that meant three days to thirty years. Jem and I exchanged looks. They probably thought so because she “fitted the world of Maycomb like a hand in a glove, but never” their world. They don't care about her because she has a strict teaching style and has an arrogance about her that can be hard to bear. He wants them to be a young gentleman and lady because he sees the Finches high up in the Maycomb hierarchy. However, he loves his brother and as he learns more about Jem and Scout, he learns to love them too. Going through the process together also helped strengthen their bond. In the end, she learned as much from them as they from her. Another authority figure is Calpurnia. She's kind of a mother figure to them since their mother left. Even if she is the cook, she goes beyond this task. It is clear that he truly cares for the children from this quote "I missed you today...the house felt lonely." Calpurnia taught Scout to write and tries to be a good example for them even though they don't think much about her life on the outside. “That Calpurnia led a modest double life never occurred to me,” he confirms. She has a kind but firm manner as she is their worker, but she is also like family. He wants Scout and Jem to be the best they can be. When he took them to church, he made sure they were well dressed and clean. He wants what Aunt Alexandra wants for them, and that is for them to grow up to be a gentleman and a lady. However, he has a different way of showing it. While Aunt Alexandra scolds them and tells them that they belong to a higher class, Calpurnia asks them to dress in a certain way and scolds them when necessary. He has a family of his own, but he will always be there for them when they need him and vice versa. Atticus is by far the most significant role model in Jem and Scout's lives. He is their father and therefore they look at him with respect and try to follow the example he has given them. Since he is a lawyer, he is not always present. However, he still tries to teach his children good and evil. He is different from Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra in that he does not punish them when they make mistakes. Instead he expects them to try and that's all he asks for. That's why during Christmas, after Scout beat up Francis and Uncle Jack asked Atticus why he never put his hands on Scout, he said "she knows that I know that he tries." This is what makes the difference.” He is a gentleman in many ways and Jem admires him. Atticus plays an important role in Jem's life especially due to the fact that he has no other male figures in his life. Even though he sometimes gets angry at Atticus, Jem still wants to be like him. “Jem's ears are red” when Atticus compliments him shows that he looks up to his father and wants to do right in his eyes. So, like their father, Atticus is the main example in their life; It does its job well even if it isn't perfect. Keep in mind:,.