Southern Belles

I’ve really enjoyed rereading to this novel. I first read it in middle school but am still enjoying it the second time around

Of course, To Kill A Mocking Bird is famous for it’s success in dealing the racial issues and the loss of innocence, but I think that Harper Lee does a lot of interesting things with gender roles as well. She very clearly represents what being a woman meant during the depression in the Deep South. Over the first 100 pages or so, there are so many instances of tension with scout and the idea of “being a lady.”

Whenever Jem and Scout argue, Jem’s response generally is something along the lines of, “you’re becoming more and more like a girl every day.” And we see a motherless Scout, battling with ideas of femininity by using her fists to defend her honor. Even at the holiday party, we see several instances of Scout’s extended family disapproving of Atticus’ parenting choices. Scout receives an air-rifle from Uncle Jack for Christmas, yet, her relatives criticize her for wearing pants and not speaking properly.

I think Harper Lee reveals a lot about gender roles and expectations in south during that time period. It’s interesting to watch Scout’s progression over a course of 2 or so years, especially considering she doesn’t have a mother.