Influence of Society in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Essay Example

Children are affected by the ideas taught to them by their parents, who in turn are taught through society’s teachings. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, children learn beliefs rooted in racism and sexism spread across society. The author of the novel, Harper Lee, conveys the theme of how society affects children negatively by exposing them to oppression through the characters of Scout and Cecil Jacobs.

The characters of Scout and Cecil Jacobs help portray this theme by providing an example of how children are affected by society’s demeaning values. One day, Scout comes home from school, and during school she hears people call Atticus insults. This ordeal prompts Scout to question Atticus, asking him, “‘Do you defend [n-words] Atticus?’” (85). Atticus replies, “‘Of course I do. Don’t say [n-word], Scout. That’s common’” (85). Scout’s actions reveal the theme of how children are affected negatively by society’s oppressive nature, as she says the n-word casually, despite it being a slur. This is something that was learned from society, as children do not know what the word means or the significance behind it, until they pick it up from the adults around them. Scout, despite being from a respectful family, hears the other children at the school say the n-word, and believes it is acceptable to say such a racist word-- evidence of children being tainted by the society around them. In comparison, Cecil Jacobs also provides an example of children taking on the negative beliefs of society. Scout begins a fight with Cecil Jacobs, telling him to take back what he said about Atticus.  In response to Scout’s request, Cecil retorts, “You gotta make me first!’ [...] ‘My folks said that your daddy was a disgrace an’ that [n word] oughta hang from the water-tank!’” (Page 87). While Scout has a more innocent approach to the vulgar word, Cecil Jacobs exemplifies a more drastic outcome of the effects society has on its children. Cecil Jacobs has internalized the racist beliefs circulating throughout his family, believing that Tom Robinson should be lynched as well. Cecil Jacobs’ exposure to the harmful comments of society give him a racist outlook on Maycomb. If Cecil Jacobs’ parents did not make their remarks on Tom Robinson’s situation, it would be likely that Cecil Jacobs would not have embodied these beliefs.

Also, Scout's character taking on beliefs promoting sexism and gender roles in society helps show the theme of how children are impacted by society’s misdoings.  This is exemplified while Scout is at Finch’s Landing for a family gathering, having idle chatter with her cousin Francis. Francis mentions that his grandma will teach him how to cook, to which Scout replies ““Boys don’t cook.’  [giggling] at the thought of Jem in an apron” (93). A common example of gender roles in society is that men are to bring home money and be the providers for their family, while women are expected to stay at home and be the sole caretakers for their family. This also is a learned belief from society, as Scout would not have suggested that men should not cook if she had not been exposed to the promotion of gender roles in society previously. Scout takes on this belief through her believing that males are not meant to cook. There is no evident problem with men cooking, and this taints Scout's opinions on women, negatively affecting her in the long run. A further case would be during the aftermath of Tom Robinson’s court case, when Jem has a conversation with Atticus, and Scout is also present. Jem comments on how he did not notice women being in the jury, and Atticus grins, “‘I doubt if we’d ever get a complete case tried--the ladies’d be interrupting to ask questions’” Jem and I laughed. (252) This example provides another example of gender roles in society. Women are expected to be caretakers, and are expected to do this due to them being labeled and thought of as inferior and not capable of doing certain jobs. Atticus remarks that if women were allowed to be on juries they would be asking too many questions and would be gossiping for too long-- overall hindering the efficacy of the jury and the trial. Scout is shown to internalize this belief as she laughs at Atticus’ statement, regarding it as normal and unproblematic. 

Society ends up damaging the mentalities of younger children like Scout by pressurizing them into internalizing gender roles and sexism, inhibiting their beliefs and corrupting their free will.