To Kill A Mockingbird Feminist Analysis

1077 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Sexism in to kill a mockingbird

Feminine Perceptions Within To Kill a Mockingbird Gloria Steinem once said, “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.” The classic historical fiction novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, contains many prevailing ideas that showcase the reoccurring theme of social faults between genders in the 1930s. A story told in the perspective of Scout Finch, sister to Jem Finch and the daughter of a widowed father, Atticus. A young boy, Dill, who moves into their small town of Maycomb, often acts out scenes from books, or goes on adventure through the neighborhood with the siblings. Scout finds herself constantly nagged by many older women figures, saying that she’s too much of a tomboy, or she needs …show more content…

Yet, as the story progresses, she sees her brother in a new light. One day, Scout stumbled upon a bug in the kitchen and decided to stop and play with it for a few minutes. After playing for quite some time, she had the urge to crush it, when suddenly Jem walked in just in the nick of time to stop her. He scolded her immediately and Scout let out an exasperated sigh. She rolled over a began degrading Jem in her thoughts, saying that, “Jem was the one who was getting more like a girl every day, not I” (Lee 242). While Jem criticized Scout for not being girly enough, she turns around and does the exact same to him. It’s not long before Scout begins to nit-pick at how Jem is losing his masculinity. As the siblings grow older and apart from each other, it’s rare that they hang out. Scout notices that Jem has signed up for football, but slowly realizes the fate that he has been place with. He isn’t the typical “football” playing boy, and definitely has the looks to match, rightfully so. Scout thinks to herself while watching Jem out on the field, “He went out for football, but was too slender and too young yet to do anything but carry the team water buckets” (Lee 245). He was given this duty solely because of the fact that he did not fit the body requirements for a football player. Jem is incapable of playing due to his frame, so he is given an easy job just for the sake of giving him something to do. While he may not realize it, Jem too, has fallen victim to gender

Show More
Related

  • Who Is Jem Dare In To Kill A Mockingbird

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the beginning of the story, Jem enjoys the childish games of fantasizing about Boo Radley, taking any dare, and . Scout tells the reader that Jem becomes more and more moody as the story progresses, due to his aging. He thinks more; he shows more compassion; and he is appalled by the unfairness that rears its ugly head in his hometown. While Scout recounts the events of her childhood, the reader fails to notice that “To Kill a Mockingbird” is not a story about the narrator (Scout) maturing, it is actually about Jem maturing, and becoming an adult.

    Read More

  • Social Forces Affecting Scout Finch

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even though many social forces impact Scout in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, gender impacts Scout the greatest. It affects her in how other people treat her. Unexpectedly, Aunt Alexandra shows up at the Finch household, and Scout asks why she had just shown up. Aunt Alexandra replies, “We decided that it would be good for you to have some feminine influence. It won’t be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys” (127). After Alexandra says this, Scout becomes puzzled because she does not think she needs a “feminine influence”. But, as she becomes older she is expected to act more lady like. Since she is a girl, she is expected to act prim and proper. Her being raised around men is acting against these stereotypes. Certainly, it is obvious that boys are more daring than girls. So while Jem and Dill want to get a sneak peak inside of Boo Radley’s house, Scout gets a little apprehensive. Jem shouts out, “Scout I’m telling you for the last time shut your trap or go home. I declare to the lord you’re getting more like a girl every day,” (51-52). After Jem said this, she decides she has no option but to join them. She does...

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Gender Quotes

    1981 Words  | 4 Pages

    While the women in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird come in a variety of personalities and backgrounds, all of their lives are led by one constricting factor; their gender. Scout's upbringing as a young woman greatly contrasts that of her brother Jem. Jem is educated as a young boy growing into a man while Scout’s journey is taken as a woman. The manacle of womanhood is but a concept if one does not consider the harsh faults and inhibiting limits of men or rather the struggle for “masculinity” that men are similarly constrained. Though she is repeatedly told to have ladylike manners and to dress in more feminine way, Scout mostly denies this norm but is still able to become a young

    Read More

  • Examples Of Jem Maturity In To Kill A Mockingbird

    533 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jem can be seen as knowledgeable from Scout’s eyes as he matures. Scout thinks to herself, “In addition to Jem’s newly developed characteristics, he had required a maddening air of wisdom” (Lee 155). As Jem matures, Scout notices Jem’s sudden intelligence that he never had before. Along with his sudden wisdom, Jem also becomes moody and often gets irritated easily by Scout’s actions.

    Read More

  • To Kill a Mockingbird: Character Analysis of Jem and Scout

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagine just two young kids maturing within a matter of years. Imagine that same two kids, experiencing or understanding things that they aren’t meant to at a young age. Jem and Scout were just like that. They have experienced many things that they shouldn’t have at their age. Scout on the other hand, seems to be the one maturing the most. Throughout this whole essay, you will learn about Jem and Scout’s attributes, personality, and how alike or different they are from each other.

    Read More

  • Character Development In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    The setting affects the character development of Scout as she faces the troubles of acting like a “girl” (4.41) because she dislikes acting in the ladylike manner that is expected of women in the 1950s. Furthermore, Scout fears that acting like a “girl” would lead Dill and Jem to stop interacting with her due to the feeling of the subtle

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockinbird Racism, Sexism, Social Class Conflict

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Prior to the feminist movement of the 1960s, women had to follow strict gender roles. Scout is a prime example of a female child struggling to fit these roles placed upon her by not only males in society, but women too. The moment Aunt Alexandra enters Maycomb, she places it upon herself to mould young Scout and Jem into their societal roles. Scout especially suffers a great deal of criticism and pressure from her Aunt to be the stereotypical girl;

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Jem Maturity Quotes

    1158 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the novel, Jems perspective and character is revealed in many different ways. He is a role model for Scout and does anything possible to help and protect her. When Aunt Alexandra declined Scouts suggestion of allowing Walter to visit and scolding Scout by calling her trash we are shown Jem reacting by responding “ ‘Have a chew, Scout ‘ Jem dug into his pocket and extracted a tootsie roll. It took a few minutes to work the candy into a comfortable wad inside my mouth” ( Lee 23). Jem creates a role model/supportive figure for Scout since he comforts her and acknowledges her problems; he puts himself in her shoes. This also proves that he cares enough about his little sister by cheering her up. Jem values Scouts happiness and wellbeing. Jems actions demonstrate that being there for others is one of his many principles. He has also represented a role model when he lost his pants on the Radley Fence after running out of the Radley property and getting the pants stuck on the way

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Essay: Gender Roles and Feminism

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    When the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, was written by Harper Lee, the Southern United States was still clinging tightly to traditional values. Southern societies pressured men to behave as gentlemen, and women were expected to be polite and wear dresses. These stringent gender roles were adhered to in small southern towns because they were isolated from the more progressive attitudes in other areas of the United States. Harper Lee documents the life of one young girl growing up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Jean Louise Finch, also known as "Scout," is a young girl searching for her identity. Scout, a young tomboy, is pressured by adults who insist she should conform to the traditional role of a southern lady. Harper Lee establishes and promotes Jean’s masculinity through the use of nicknames, fighting, and masculine clothing, while contrasting her with women that fit the stereotypical female model.

    Read More

  • Gender Inequity In To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis

    1273 Words  | 3 Pages

    One way Harper Lee develops gender inequity through stereotypes is through Scout’s experiences with the women in Maycomb. Scout is laughed at for wearing pants under her dress. Scout prefers pants over dresses because she’s a tomboy and can be more active in “britches.” On Sunday, Scout dressed up, but still had pants under her dress. When Scout is at the gathering with the women, Miss Maudie says, “‘You’re mighty dressed up, Miss Jean Louise,’ she said. ‘Where are your britches today?’ ‘Under my dress.’ I hadn’t meant to be funny, but the ladies laughed. My cheeks grew hot as I realized my mistake” (Lee 307). Because Scout is laughed at for wearing pants and not for something she thought was funny, she feels singled out and degraded. The ladies of Maycomb laughed at her because she had done something “wrong” in their eyes. She wore pants

    Read More

  • Theme Of Maturity In To Kill A Mockingbird

    759 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jem Finch demonstrates growing maturity throughout the novel. After Tom Robinson’s trial, Scout reveals Jem’s feelings. “It was Jem’s turn to cry.” Scout uncovers, “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd,” (TKAM 284). Jem understands the trial is not fair because of race. He is mature enough to realize this while Scout is not. Another example of Jem’s maturity is exemplified when he is fulfilling his obligation to read to Mrs. Dubose. Scout describes, “ ‘So you brought that dirty little sister of yours did you?’ was her greeting… ‘My sister ain’t dirty and I ain’t scared of you’, although I noticed his knees shaking,” (TKAM 141). Rather than Jem replying to Mrs. Dubose with an insult, he dismisses her comment. Furthermore, this showcases his patience and tolerance, which comes with maturity. Finally, Jem validates his maturity when the Finch children find Dill under Scout’s bed. “You oughta let your mother know where you are.” announced Jem, “You oughta let her know you are here…”(TKAM 187). At this point Jem knows the right way to handle this situation is to let an adult know where Dill is. Even though Scout believes she can keep him under her bed forever, Jem recognizes the reality. When Jem’s maturity is put to the test he demonstrates good judgment and decision-making.

    Read More

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Pain of Growing Up

    501 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jem is Scout's brother. He is a little older than Scout. He also becomes familiar with the prejudice of Maycomb County through the story. In addition, he grows up like most teenagers “He was difficult to live with, inconsistent, moody” “said Scout” (pg. #). That statement is made when Jem starts to grow up. He doesn’t want to play with Scout like a little kid anymore. He wants to be a man.

    Read More

  • Essay On Sexism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    821 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, the reader can connect sexist issues in “To Kill a Mockingbird” to the present day world. Women are still expected to follow rules that society has set for them. Advertisements with unrealistic beauty standards are shown millions of times everyday. Women are still expected to stay at home and cook and clean while men go to work. Scout is a very brave girl who is

    Read More

  • Life Lessons in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

    778 Words  | 2 Pages

    No matter where or who a person is, they are always learning something, either about themselves or about the environment around them. In Harper Lee's heartwarming novel titled To Kill A Mockingbird, the main characters Jem and Scout grow and mature throughout the story as they learn both more about themselves and the world around them. As the story progresses, they learn many life lessons including those about prejudice, people and how they have been categorized and judged, and, last but not least, gender issues.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Moral Education In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1126 Words  | 3 Pages

    They do not judge by skin color, nor do they discriminate because someone is different. Atticus has educated them in a way that helps them see themselves in a different way than others, even at such a young age. “Scout and Jem wonder about the origins of the events in their lives between the summer of 1932 and the fall of 1935” (Anderson 1). During these years, Scout and Jem grew and matured more than an average adult would in 20 years of life.

    Read More

More about To Kill A Mockingbird Feminist Analysis

Open Document