Discrimination During the 20th Century

621 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Five paragraph essay on to kill a mockingbird feminist criticism

Along with the large amounts of racial discrimination that took place throughout the mid-1930s and within the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, another type of discrimination that was widely seen within them was that of gender discrimination. Women were greatly discriminated against throughout the 1930s. They were expected to follow a strict moral and behavioral code that was not expected of men. It was expected of them to act in a passive, sensitive, and private manner while men could act in an active, rational, and public manner. (“To Kill”). In the novel, Scout is the main character and she is viewed as a tomboy, as she never followed what the community surrounding her deemed to be acceptable. She always broke from the mold of the perfect little girl of the 1930s. In one scenario within To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout was reflecting upon how her Aunt Alexandra views her in regards to how she behaves and dresses. “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father's lonely life.” (Lee 74). This quote expressed the views that society had towards how woman and girls were expected to dress and behave throughout this time period. Her Aunt finds it unacceptable for her to be wearing pants instead of a dress as that is deemed as unladylike. She also believes that Scout should be playing with toys that are meant for a young lady, such as dolls.
Within the ...

... middle of paper ...

...ras Flee: An Historical Perspective of Their Persecution. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014
"Race During the Great Depression - American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress." Race During the Great Depression - American Memory Timeline- Classroom Presentation | Teacher Resources - Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.
"Racism in Europe and the U.S." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.
"Race in the 1930s." Race in the 1930s. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.
Rogers, Barbara. The Domestication of Women: Discrimination in Developing Societies. London: Routledge, 1989. Print.
"To Kill a Mockingbird: Gender Theme." To Kill a Mockingbird: Gender Theme. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2014.
“World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples." Minority Rights Group International : Afghanistan : Hazaras. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.

Show More
Related

  • To Kill a Mockingbird - Southern Traditions

    1664 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Southern women were told and obligated, by some code of southern conduct, to mature into fair-smelling, perfect "ladies." By "ladies" they meant women who were well mannered, good at embroidery, and wore frilly, lacy dresses. One example of this southern tradition occurs when Aunt Alexandra comes to the Finch residence to help Atticus raise his children during the trial. When first arriving she says to Scout, "We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won't be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys." This comment implies that the only subjects girls are expected to understand are boys and clothes. Aunt Alexandra makes no mention of Jean Louise's intelligence, education, or personality. Her diction suggests that the only thing Jean Louise is capable of pursuing is her attire and a man. Scout discovers what a "southern lady" is as she notices how Aunt Alexandra "chose protective garments that drew up her bosom to giddy heights, pinched in her waist, flared out her rear, and managed to suggest that Aunt Alexandra's was once an hour-glass figure." Scout was considered to be very improper, wearing overalls and pants, but Aunt Alexandra would still try and introduce her to other ladies. I assume that she did this to try and influence Scout. She hoped Scout would form lady-like habits by watching others. Another example takes place after the trial, when Jem is appalled at the decision the court makes in response to Tom Robinson's case.

    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

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - The Death of Innocence

    1240 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the first chinks in their armor of naivité that protected them was social prejudice. This was introduced to them in the form of Aunt Alexandra. Scout was crushed when Aunt Alexandra sent Atticus to talk to the Scout and Jem. " 'you are not run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations gentle breeding...try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are' " (Lee 133). Scout was upset because he was essentially telling her not to be herself. Aunt Alexandra wanted to change Scout's personality to conform to society's ideas of what was right for a girl in those times. It seemed like Atticus had almost encouraged them to find their own way, despite the disapproval of many in town; overalls were allowed for Scout, a female, and they had free run of the surrounding few houses during the day. Although the incident with Atticus preaching Aunt Alexandra's ideas made Scout feel overwhelmed, Atticus resisted Aunt Alexandra by telling Scout to f!

    Read More

  • Scout Coming Of Age Analysis

    1298 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Scout was forced to wear a dress because Aunt Alexandra wanted her to be more ladylike, she “...felt the starched walls of a pink cotton penitentiary closing in on [her], and for the second time in [her] life [she] thought of running away. Immediately” (Lee 182). Scout was a tomboy since she lived with her father and brother; dresses and girly things annoyed her. Her inner self was contained in the dress, and she wanted out. When Aunt Alexandra was hosting a church fundraising tea, Miss Maudie asked Scout where her britches were. Scout responded by saying, ‘‘Under my dress’” (Lee 307). By wearing her overalls under her dress, she appears ladylike since everyone wants her to, but is still the tomboy she always wants to be. Scout has matured to realize what’s best for her and the people around her. She realized the social normalities of Maycomb and knew what others thought of her. Without this internal conflict, Scout would have disregarded other people’s opinions and just do what was right in her mind. Scout’s internal conflicts transformed her to be her own person while taking others’ opinions into

    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

  • The Unfair Treatment Of African Americans In The 1930's

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every time period has it’s difficulties. There’s always events or people that come along that cause us to remember a certain time. The 1930’s was definitely a time we all remember. We know it as a time that was very difficult for people everywhere in America. The Great Depression greatly impacted people. It was also a time where African Americans didn't have much freedom and they were always treated more poorly than the whites. The 1930’s was a hard time period for Americans everywhere because of the Great Depression, little freedom for African Americans, and segregation.

    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

  • Gender Roles

    585 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main culprit of pushing gender conformity is Scout's aunt, Aunt Alexandra. Aunt Alexandra is truly introduced into the novel when she moves in with the Finch family during the Tom Robinson trial. Aunt Alexandra is very indiscreet for her main reason to have arrived though and that is to feminize Scout. Aunt Alexandra states on her arrival, “We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won't be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys--” (Lee 170). This quote shows the reader the expectation of A...

    Read More

  • Discrimination of Minorities in America

    928 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is hard to believe that after electing a minority president, the United States of America can still be seen as a vastly discriminatory society. A question was posed recently after a viewing of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream…” speech of whether his dream has become a reality. After consideration, a majority of the viewers said no. Although many steps have been taken to improve racial equality in America, there is still no way to legislate tolerance. Dr. King’s message of equality for all has been lost in a black and white struggle over the taken meaning of his context. Until our society can allow all people to live in peace we will never truly achieve King’s dream. Case in point, referring to President Obama as our "our First Black President" should not be considered a statement of pride over how far we have come. Placing this racial qualifier, even in a positive light, only serves to point out his minority status, not the fact that he is the President of the United States. According to Dr. King's dream, a man or woman, black or white, would be viewed as President without qualifying their differences from mainstream America.

    Read More

  • Essay On Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

    894 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sexism is not as common a topic in comparison to racism, but does play a role in the development of the novel. This type of discrimination is expressed towards women from men and women alike. Men feel compelled to protect women from unsightly things, (Lee 221), and the women in Maycomb have the mind set that, to be a lady, they must conform to society's expectations of them. They believe they must dress, act, and speak a certain way to appease the community. Aunt Alexandra is a big believer in acting the way society expects her to and attempts to impose these values on her niece, Scout, who becomes mortified, as she has always been a tomboy and prefers spending time in the dirt. “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my [Scout's] attire. She said I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed ...

    Read More

  • Why Scout Has to be a Lady, Miss Maudie Can’t Be On the Jury, and Maycomb Is Run By Men

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father's lonely life” (Harper Lee 108). Scout’s Aunt Alexandra comes to live with her the summer Scout is eight, in order to provide a female influence for her. Scout is opposed to many of Aunt Alexandra’s views on how she should behave, and doesn’t want to become a lady. As Scout learns about her expected role in society, she also learns about other woman’s roles, and how women aren’t allowed to do many of the things that men do. Miss Maudie, one of Scout’s role models, isn’t allowed to be on the jury because of her sex. Scout is appaled when she learns this, just as she is when she discovers the many other injustices of the world she lives in. Maycomb is a small, sleepy town in the 1930’s, with very traditional ideas and values. Sexism effects Scout’s future, the women of Maycomb, and how the town is run.

    Read More

  • Essay On Sexism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    821 Words  | 2 Pages

    In most countries, women only earn between 60 and 75% of men’s wages, for the same work. Sexism is still a problem in today’s society, but it has improved since Scout’s generation in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Scout believes from an early age that girls aren’t good, and that she can avoid the judgement that comes with being a girl by not acting like one. Being a girl for Scout is less a matter of what she's born with and more a matter of what she does. Scout’s elders influence her perception of womanhood by putting preconceived sexist views in her head. In “To Kill a Mockingbird” Harper Lee shows the reader how all women are expected to act lady like and be proper through the actions of Mrs. Dubose, Jem, and Atticus.

    Read More

  • Racial Discrimination In Society

    1483 Words  | 3 Pages

    Prejudice refers to one’s biased opinions and ideas of others, based on secondary information. Hence, the internalized ideas concerning the prejudiced members in society does not result from personal experiences, but information from third parties. Where prejudice is prevalent, the social relationships between the concerned individuals become strained and unmanageable. The existence of equality in society discourages the frequency of prejudice on racial grounds. The content of this discussion explores the concept of prejudice, as it relates to racial inequality and discrimination. The discussion features the Emmanuel AME Church shooting scenario, which characterizes racial discrimination and inequality. The discussion further examines the role

    Read More

More about Discrimination During the 20th Century

Open Document