To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

1. Topic: Gender

   • Theme: Gender being an impact on Scout from a very young age has impacted her in numerous ways to the point where Gender Norms are being forced upon her by family, and especially her older brother, Jem.

2. Argument One: Women are brought down for standing up for their rights

   • Women are constantly being frowned upon for expressing themselves and bringing attention to their rights
     • "I was not so sure, but Jem told me I was being a girl, that girls always imagined things, that's why other people hated them so, and if I started behaving like one I could just go off and find some to play with." (Lee.54)
       • By the words of men, and in this scenario, Jem, women are viewed as delusion people who do not know their place nor their ways of living. They are hated by most people in Maycomb, simply because they are not strong, smart, or as "masculine" as the remaining men in the town. Which is why women are viewed as inferior and forced around by men to do work or jobs only weaker people could handle, for example, cooking, gardening, cleaning, watching children.
     • Alexandra was only beginning to be a feminine influence to Scout when she felt she absolutely needed to
       • "It would be best for you to have some feminine influence." (Lee. 170)
         • Alexandra is the type of female to only show feminine power when she feels obligated to do so, not when she desires to. Scout is in need of a strong feminine influence to help guide her and show her how to live life as a woman, and Alexandra is not showing that she is capable of helping Scout learn.
   • Connection One to Two: Scout is still very young and discovering not only herself, but what is right and wrong. Having Jem there with her may be fun, but he is shown as a negative influence towards her in the sense of an influence for maturing.

3. Argument Two: Scout is always being told to stop being herself and acing like a female

   • Jem is not supporting his younger, and only sister, and constantlu makes comments about her growing femininity
     • "Scout, I'm tellin' you for the last time, shut your trap or go home - I declare to the Lord you're gettin' more like a girl everyday!" (Le.69)
       • Scout was questioning Jem and Dill, and seemingly bothered them to the point where Jems comment came out to Scout so naturally, almost as if it was common nature. His comment makes it seem like girls "talk too much" or ask too many qestions, which in Scouts mind causes her to feel ashamed of how and who she is
     • Scout had always been made to feel that being a girl was a negative and unholy thing
       • "She seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl." (Lee. 154)
         • Scout was forced to feel that acting feminine was something to be when she failed to show herself to Jem and the others in the way thtat they wanted her to. Until now, Calpurnia had given Scout a small realization that women are more than just pawns and people that are hated by Maycomb.
   • Connection Two to Three: Though Scout's family is quite laid back, they tend to show their aggressive or negative sides when on the topic of being feminine. Most of the family makes comments and attempt to force Scout to be someone she is not, yet Alexandra's words and actions seem to inspire Scout to be the lady she is aiming to be.

4. Argument Three: Scout only has three adult women who can show compassion, love and support towards her

   • Aunt Alexandra is the only blood related woman in the family who is somewhat helpful towards Scout
     • "Aunt Alexandrea looked across the room at me and smiled. She looked at the tray of cookies on the table and nodded at them. I carefully picked up the tray and watched myself walk to Mrs. Merriweather With my best company manners, I asked her if she would have some. After all if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I.' (Lee. 318)
       • Scout was inspired by Alexandra, and she took note of the actions that were made, and applied them to herself in the current situation. She did not doubt herself, nor did she show she thought about what Jem has said to her all these times about being a lady. Aunt Alexandra's actions and sincereity had inspired Scout to be more of what she is told not to be, a lady.
         • Conclusion: Gender Norms are a huge part of society in not only the 1930's, but in modern day as well. Some people tend to feel self conscious when told how to dress or act because they are not being who people want them to be. Scout is a very interesting child, and she is targeted for one of the worst things, being a female. She is a very young child, so many things are confusing to her, and she is not aware on how to comprehend them, so her being forced to act a certain way at such a young age says more about the adults in her life, than her actions themselves.
   • Calpurnia teaches Scout to not always say what you know, and uses examples from her life and actions to help Scout be more respectful, and more of a lady
     • "It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not ladylike - in the second place, folks don't like to have somebody around knowin' more than they do." (Lee. 167)
       • Scout was spoken to by Calpurnia, where she explained that coloured peoples names should not be in white-folks mouths, and vice versa. It is shown as disrespectful and out of place. Calpurnia gave the example, "Now what if I talked white folks at church" (Lee. 167), which implies that due to the races and the battles going on between them, speaking of the opposing race with a group or few people of your race is something that should not be done by anyone
   • Connection Three to One: Alexandra is the second closest female to Scout, Calpurnia being the first. However Calpurnia is not able to teach Scout the same way as Alexandra can, due to her extreme lack of power, and her skin tone. Alexandra comes off as an insecure woman, who does not want to show her true self, as she knows it may result in consequences.

5. By: Ruth Rolfe