Examples Of Sexism In To Kill A Mockingbird

Women throughout history have been one of the most oppressed and mistreated majority of people, they are treated differently and expected to do certain things simply because of their sex. Even in fictional literature sexsism is captured running rampant in the the western world. In a passage from the book to kill a mockingbird scout is mocked for even stepping into a courtroom. The thought at the time of the book that a woman could be a lawyer was laughable, women were to proper. To fragile. Their ears to precious to hear such horrible things from the trials. ¨why shoot I thought you wanted to be a lawyer, you've already commenced going to court, the ladies laughed again¨(lee 308). Not only is this blatant sexism, it is sexism displayed by

If one does not act aggressively than they are not a real man and are scorned by their peers for being weak. Additionally because of this violent stereotype men are seen as aggressors, as people to fear because that's how society has painted them to be. Not only do these views latch on to regular life they also leach their way into our literature and reveal other effects these stereotypes can have on life. In the book to kill a mockingbird jem and scout start to feel as though their dad does not fit the way other dads act; ¨when jem and I asked him why he was so old, he said he got started late, which we felt reflected upon his abilities and manliness¨(lee 118). Sometimes it's not just the man who gets hurt from these gender roles it can be impressionable young kids such as jem and scout. As they grow older they are influenced by other people and told what a real man or what a real father figure looks like. If what they see in their own father doesn't fit that description it can hurt their relationship with him. Also they can see him as less of a person, as someone that should not be looked up to, in maycomb many people could influence scout and jem in the wrong way if they start to rebel and look to someone else for advice. In the book this uncertainty is evident when scout and jem list off ¨manly¨ jobs that they think would make their dad worth more; ¨Atticus did not drive a dump truck for the county, he was not the sheriff, he did not farm, work in a garage, or do anything that could arouse the admiration of anyone.¨ From jem and scouts view point they do not see their father as someone who is admirable. Stereotypes for men have become so intertwined with society that someone's own children can persecute or look down upon their own father, because they do not see him as a man to look up to. If jem and