Scout, as a narrator looking back many years later, concludes, "I know what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work."

This is one of the moments in Scout's narration when we know we're hearing the thoughts and feelings of the adult Scout rather than the child. As an adult, Scout can look back at this event and understand that their father wanted them to have pride and respect for their family name. He didn't agree with or promote their aunt's conceit, but he did want them to be proud of their heritage.