In addition to the information discussed in the previous
posts, Harper Lee describes the presence of gender biases in the 1930s in the
South.
Primarily, readers see Jem's constant criticism of
Scout for her girl-like behvior. After Scout rolls into the Radley yard in the tire and
is too afraid to go back and retrieve it, Jem runs in to fetch it. When he returns, he
says, "I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it's mortifyin'."
Essentially, Jem makes Scout feel like it's a bad thing to act like a girl. Part 1 of
the novel is filled with such references, which is why Scout, in Chapter 12, is
completely confused and upset by Jem's sudden insistence that "It's about time you
started bein' a girl and acting right!" (Not coincidentally, this quote comes during a
time when Jem is maturing and distancing himself from activities with Scout and
Dill.)
Similarly, Aunt Alexandra decides that her presence
is necessary at the Finch household so that she may teach Scout how to act like a lady.
In doing so, she is critical of Scout's tomboy tendencies and insists that Scout needs
to act properly in order to uphold the dignity associated with the Finch family name.
It is clear, from several episodes in the novel (particularly Aunt Alexandra's
missionary circle) that Scout understands the ladies' hypocrisy; they sip their tea and
display good manners, but they talk about others with
contempt.
Finally, Miss Maudie points out to the children
that women, in that time period, were not allowed to serve as jurors. As Jem recognizes
Miss Maudie's fair treatment of all humans, regardless of their race, social class, or
other circumstances, he points out the ridiculousness of such a
rule.
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