Rupi Kaur once wrote, “What is the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” Society is often caught pitting genders against one another. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee this is more apparent than ever. The novel follows Scout Finch as she comes face to face with inequality, which inevitably forces her to grow up too soon. As the trial begins, and Scout is introduced to racism, she also unknowingly experiences sexism. Without understanding why she is excluded, Scout begins to resent herself over something she has no control over.
Growing up in a predominantly male household, Scout is a natural tomboy. Her older brother Jem is not only her best friend, but also her role model. Scout is often found defying gender roles, so she’s very upset when Jem mocks her saying, “ Scout, I'm tellin’ you for the last time, shut your trap or go home- I declare to the Lord, your gettin’ more like a girl everyday!” (Lee 119). Scout then feels obligated to oblige in order to fit in . She then refrains from
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Racism is ever present, and fear surrounds the people of Maycomb. Scout, who is only 6 when the trial begins, gains a better understanding of what her father fights for. When Tom Robinson is convicted, Scout watches her father defend him, and in the process witnesses more injustice than she knows. When asked why Miss. Maudie isn't allowed to serve on the Jury, Atticus replies saying, “I guess it's to protect our frail ladies from sordid cases like Tom’s. Besides, I doubt we’d ever get a complete case tried--the ladies’d be interrupting to ask questions.” (Lee 252). Scout is decidedly naive that she laughs along with her father and brother, not understanding what this means for her and her future. To Scout this is normal. Little does she know, the rest of her life will be made of moments like