Femininity In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Sample

Written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that follows a story of prejudice in the 1930s through the eyes of the protagonist, a young girl. Although at the time the novel was written, Southern America was still preaching traditional norms and expectations to females of any kind, Lee challenges these through various representations. It was not typical, nor was it accepted for women to do, act, dress or even talk in any masculine considered way. Through the character of Scout, Lee presents how difficult it was to grow up in Maycomb Alabama, a very isolated, poor town that is rich in rural traditional values. Women who adhere to the expectations of society such as Aunt Alexandra and Stephanie Crawford are presented as having a detrimental effect on society.  By contrast those who forge their own paths are presented as strong and dynamic.

Through the character of Scout Harper Lee presents the possessiveness and control over females by society. From very early on, Scout was taught to reject her femininity from internalised sexism and patriarchy. Atticus and Jem taught her this to help her embrace masculine considered things to help her avoid judgement for being too 'girly'. Being seen as feminine was considered weak, boring, tidy and clean, none of which Scout was. She loved to fight, play with Jem and Dill and she often preferred wearing overalls rather than skirts. As Scout moves into adolescence, the pressures to conform to expectations of females became more severe. She’d receive unsolicited opinions and unwarranted advice by older females for her to act more 'lady-like' and proper. These expectations of girls were continuously pushed onto Scout. Throughout the book the reader comes to understand that these were the only expectations and pathways for females during the 1930s in Southern America. In contrast, men were able to decide what they wanted to do, Jem was able to choose any path without the unending commentary on his decision. He could choose to be a lawyer or a doctor or a farmer without any hesitation, but it was laughed upon when Scout announced her dream of following in her fathers footsteps and becoming a lawyer, because according to Atticus himself, women can't serve on juries. Being raised in a male dominant household is probably what influenced Scout the most, despite Atticus being accepting and supportive of her choices and 'masculine' presentation. 

'Femininity' was so ingrained into the habits and routines of women, that even the most privileged female, Aunt Alexandra had nothing better to do than preach the narrow minded expectations of gender. When Aunt Alexandra comes to visit Scout and Jem, she tells Scout that her and Atticus "decided that it would be best for [her] to have some feminine influence" as though it is a problem that Scout isn't entirely 'feminine'. Aunt Alexandra tries to impose her ideas onto Scout by insulting her and attempting to convince her that her only value comes from the way she dresses and acts, although, It was routine for women to understand that their position was ultimately lower and less important than men. Just like Aunt Alexandra, Stephanie Crawford is also another great example of female characters in To Kill a Mockingbird that adhere to the expectations and influences of society. Stephanie is considered the neighbourhood "scold" by those around her because of her local gossip and her reputation for exaggerating rumours. Scout knows not to trust her and to overlook anything spread by her. Stephanie, an older single woman finds that her only chance at being recognised is to be recognised by something, in this case, her cruel gossip. This was because it was so prevalent at the time for women to be addressed or valued simply by any relation they had to a man, they would be introduced always as someone's daughter, wife or sister, so for Stephanie she had to perpetuate her own status. In being a single woman Miss Stephanie had no importance but her love for chatting up recent news around town. Both of these women are considered 'conventional' Southern ladies and both of them want the same stereotypical future for Scout. Although neither of them have great success with 'feminizing' Scout, they still have an impact on the way Scout interprets womanhood and Scouts exploration of her identity. 

Harper Lee also includes some great representation of independent and self-assured women who don't necessarily abide by the societal standards set for them too, for example Calpurnia and Ms Maudie. They are both great role models to Scout throughout the novel and really help her develop into a morally strong woman, especially whilst Scout grows up in a male dominant household without her mother. Calpurnia, being a black woman in a very discriminatory town is definitely a very strong leading female within the Finch household. Even with her traditional and conservative beliefs about Scout she still plays a very important mother-like role to Scout. Calpurnia 

To Kill a Mockingbird greatly illustrates the small country town life and how it influences women of all kinds. Despite how highly and consistently Scout is criticised during her growth, Scout continues to guide herself and figure things out for herself with the help of some other characters in the book, she slowly comes to the conclusion that femininity is not necessarily a bad thing and that she can dress, act, talk and do whatever she pleases even if there is the risk of judgement.