It was perhaps somewhat inevitable that Aunt Alexandra would stay over at the Finch residence at some point. She's always been highly critical of her brother's parenting skills, constantly chiding him for letting his kids run wild. Alexandra firmly believes that she could do a much better job. Atticus's preoccupation with the Tom Robinson trial gives Alexandra the ideal opportunity to put her theory to the test. Atticus's request to his sister is purely a matter of practicality. However, it's probably fair to say that Alexandra interprets his asking her to stay as more of an SOS call, a tacit acknowledgement that he really doesn't know how to raise his kids after all. In any case, while Alexandra's safely ensconced beneath her brother's roof, she'll take the opportunity to do things her own way. In particular, she's going to seize the chance to instruct Scout in the finer points of ladies' deportment.
At the end of chapter 12, Jem and Scout come home to find Aunt Alexandra waiting for them. She has come to stay with them for a while, and her reason for this visit is twofold.
First of all, Atticus is getting busier and busier with Tom Robinson's court case. Though Calpurnia is able to help and to look after Jem and Scout, school is out for the summer, so the two siblings have a lot of unstructured time ahead of them. Scout and Jem learn that Atticus has asked Aunt Alexandra to come and spend some time with them at this point in time, so the subtext of this situation suggests she is there to help look after the children.
As well, in chapter 13, Aunt Alexandra says that she has arrived to help Scout specifically and offer her some "feminine influence." Atticus agrees somewhat with this description of Aunt Alexandra's new role in the household, disappointing Scout and confusing her slightly, as she feels that such feminine influence is unnecessary.
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