Challenging Gender Norms In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Mae Alwart Ms. Kannon English 9B 5 June 2024 Challenging Gender Norms and Sexism In the twenty-first century, we believe gender inequality is just in our past. However, according to the United Nations, it is estimated that closing the gender pay gap will take another 257 years, at the current rate (“Closing gender pay gaps”). This deep-rooted inequity, both in our society today and throughout history, is depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird, where sexism and barriers restrict women’s role in society. Harper Lee, the author of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, tells the story of a young girl named Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, raised in a household with her aunt, brother, and father in Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a Southern town that reflects traditional gender norms and beliefs. Scout grew up with the maternal

Everyday sexism is often present at a constant low-level in the background of our lives, adding an extra layer of stress. Unsurprisingly, these subtle forms of everyday sexism have been linked to poorer mental health.” Even though sexual discrimination may seem like a small problem and barely acknowledged or noticed by some, its effects lead to bigger issues like poor mental and physical health. Sexism is highly apparent in our society, and it is crucial to acknowledge it before its consequences become worse than they already are. Harper Lee created the characters of Aunt Alexandra and Jem Finch to expose how traditional views of gender roles impacted individuals. Aunt Alexandra comes to Maycomb with the intent to become a matriarch in the Finch family and to lead them to a more traditional way of life. According to Scout, "Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my