While not supervising the Finch household, which does not take up much of her time because Calpurnia does most of the work, Aunt Alexandra spends most of her day socializing with the other middle class white women of Maycomb. She gets along with them perfectly because she shares their values. This is a relief to her, as she is often at odds with the ways of Atticus and his children.
Like the other women she socializes with, Aunt Alexandra believes wholeheartedly in the importance of ancestry and likes to share stories of illustrious Finch ancestors. She is shocked that Atticus hasn't passed these stories down to his children.
Aunt Alexandra is also a part of the Missionary Society, which raises money to help needy Africans. This shows she supports the racist social system in Maycomb. Many blacks in the town are also very needy, but rather than help them, she supports sending the money overseas. This way the local blacks are kept in their place but the whites can feel good about helping others.
Aunt Alexandra comes to live with the Finch family in chapter 13 of To Kill a Mockingbird. Her purpose in coming is to assist Atticus with the children and to provide Scout with some "feminine influence." When asked by Atticus if she would like for Aunt Alexandra to stay, Scout lies to Atticus and says she would like it. According to Scout, this is an appropriate lie because "one must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can't do anything about them."
Aunt Alexandra settles nicely into Maycomb County. She spends her time visiting with Miss Stephanie Crawford and having coffee with Miss Rachel. Her reputation as a hostess is shown through her "Missionary Society refreshments," and she serves as secretary of the Maycomb Amanuensis Club. Aunt Alexandra also seems to be an authority on the different families in Maycomb, and she is often willing to point out the "shortcomings of other tribal groups."
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