Mrs. Merriweather, "a faithful Methodist under duress," is
a self-righteous, sanctimonious hypocrite. Not only this, but she is inconsiderate of
her hostess when she tells Gertrude,
"I tell you there are some good but misguided
people in this town. Good, but
misguided."
She continues by
saying that some thought they were doing the right thing, but all they did was "stir 'em
up," meaning the black community. She, then, goes on to say that her maid Sophy, who
she keeps on as an employee out of the goodness of her heart, has had the effrontery to
be "sulky." In a remark that suggests the hypocrisy of the Merriweathers, Miss Maudie
asks her if her husband's food does not stick going down, meaning that they eat the food
of this maid whom they consider so inferior.
"Maudie, I'm sure I don't know what you mean,"
said Mrs. Merriweather.
"I'm sure you do," Miss Maudie said
shortly [curtly].
Aunt
Alexandra, who looks at her with "a look of pure gratitude," appreciates Miss Maudie's
criticism of Mrs. Merriweather's disparaging remarks about her brother, Atticus Finch,
and his defense of Tom Robinson.
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