Atticus Finch Stereotypes

One might anticipate a broad range of diverse notions upon entering the small town of Maycomb, Alabama in the mid sixty’s. Racism, gossips, a town freak. All of these impressions have one thing in common, stereotypes. “We are a tribal people, we Americans, in spite of our national motto: E pluribus Unum (i.e. “Out of many, One”). We are subdivided by race, class, culture, religion, education, physical and mental health, and so much more” (Hobbs 1). Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird establishes a theme that exemplifies stereotypes; through the values/hardships of her characters, Lee exposes the tragedy caused by stereotyping. Lee forms this theme into one that was perceptible in diversified ways. Throughout the novel there are several stereotypes

Atticus experiences hate from fellow towns people all because he is the lawyer for the Robinson trial. Atticus stands up to a lynch mob when they threated him to get out of the way of the jail, because they were planning to serve their own justice to Tom before the trial. Even though Atticus is doing the right thing, and standing up against injustice, he is still hated and put in danger by many, even some former friends became a threat. The older, more racist folks of the community particularly did not approve of Atticus and the way he supported race equality. One of the Finch’s neighbors, Mrs. Dubose, a mean old women, would yell at the children about Atticus and call him names. This made Jem very upset when his father was insulted like this, but the hatred often did not bother Atticus and his gentle nature (Crow 5). There is a lot of filth that comes from this old woman’s mouth about Atticus, but never once does he let it get him down. In fact, he felt sorry for Mrs. Dubose, as he did for most people like this. Some claim that because Atticus is working for “niggers” so he must be like them. Atticus is called a nigger lover on more than one occasion throughout the story, and people also accuse Atticus of hating whites, more specifically, Bob Ewell just because he is defending the

Scout is only six years of age when the story commences and women already are giving her a rigid time about her tomboy nature and overalls. Mrs. Dubose, the Finch’s neighbor, says, .... “what are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You’ll grow up waiting on tables if somebody doesn’t change your ways” (Lee 135). Just because Scout dresses and acts like a tomboy, she is judged and stereotyped as not lady like. Even Scout’s older brother Jem starts to get on to Scout for not acting like a lady. He tells her she needs to start being a girl and acting right (Lee 115). This image hurts Scout, as they grow older the siblings grow apart. Jem is developing up into a young man and thinks it is time for Scout to start acting lady like. This is hard for Scout to grasp and understand. Lastly, Scout begins to realize her own stereotype throughout the novel as she learns and matures, and begins to regret her ways. Scout starts to change the way she acts in order to get rid of this “label” people have given her. Even though it is hard at times because she is still a tomboy at heart, she learns to keep a grip on her actions and become more lady like (Mendenhall 8). It is slightly disheartening that Scout is almost forced into growing up and putting the overalls aside in order to please society at such a young age. But everyone must grow up at