In "To Kill a Mockingbird" what unfortunate characteristics do the ladies of the missionary circle display?Do you think this is typical of such...

Harper Lee certainly does paint the missionary ladies in a rather negative light, highlighting the racism, self-righteousness, and hypocritical nature of some of Southern society's social circles.  The women themselves are incredibly hypocritical; this means that their actions don't match up with what they claim their beliefs to be.  This is seen in their intense concern over the poor Mrunas tribespeople, and the service that the esteemed J. Grimes Everett is attempting to give these people.  So, apparently, if we were to believe their concern over these impoverished tribes, we would assume that these women are charitable, and want to help raise poor people of a different color up out of their difficult circumstances.  However, their attitudes about the poor people of a different color that are serving in their homes and walking in the streets of their towns don't receive that same concern or care.  Instead, they despise that Atticus defended a black man, and the chatty Mrs. Merriweather even suggests that black should stick to their ways and leave white people alone.  Mrs. Farrow even implies that no matter how kind you are to black people, they are still a violent people that cannot be reformed, and that "no lady [is] safe in her bed these nights" because of the criminal black men stalking the streets looking to do harm.  They are upset that Atticus tried to help the black community, all the while professing to be concerned and charitable towards some far-off tribe of natives.  It is incredibly hypocritical.

They are also ungrateful and rude.  They are sitting in Atticus's house, eating his food, in front of his sister, and have the audacity to insult him.  They show no gratitude for Alexandria's--and hence Atticus's--status as a host, and no respect.  Even if they disagreed with Atticus, they should not have spoken about it in his own home.  They are proud and self-righteous; they consider themselves better than everyone around them, black or poor.  They are racist and gossipy, with vicious tongues and dangerous opinions; overall, not a bright picture.

I hope that those thoughts helped; good luck!