Examples Of Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama where the residents hold strong views on any event that is happening in the town. Most of the population thinks the same way, that all blacks are inferior, girls should be girly, and men should be manly, the white population so to speak. Although there is a part of Maycomb County that is for the black population, it is not much more than a slum, but it is something. There is one white family that does not fit in with the rest of the people, they treat everyone equally and live by the statement of, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 31), the Finch family. In some societies, stereotypes

Atticus is not like other dads, he does not shoot guns, fish, or play football, he sits in his chair and reads. He also does not have a normal job like other dads in Maycomb County, he is a lawyer while the others are farmers and blue collar men. Scout said, “I sure would. Atticus can’t do anything… Everybody in town’s father was playing, it seemed, except Atticus” (Lee 95). Atticus is also an older dad than most elementary school kids have, his children secretly shame him for not being like other dads and being “cool”. They continued to find more and more interesting things out about their dad that made them think the world of him by the end of the novel. For example, when Scout saw him shoot a gun, she exclaimed, “Ain’t everybody’s daddy the deadest shot in Maycomb County” (Lee 105). Scout was so proud of her dad and wanted everyone to know what he just did ,and what he was known for as a child. Jem was proud as well, but knew Atticus did not tell them for a reason. Atticus did not tell his children about him being the deadest shot in town, and Jem recognized it and kept him and his sister quiet. Jem’s ability to pick that up socially, is extremely mature, it also shows that Atiicus does not feel he needs to prove himself to his kids, he is there to teach and parent them, not be their party buddy. The main aspect that disconnects Atticus from the rest of the town is that he decided to take a case that required him to defend a black man. This decision made the townspeople very distant and on edge with him, but because of the man he is, he did not care what others thought, he was going to do what was right. Atticus spoke to Scout stating, “Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (Lee 111), even though Atticus knew the town would want to murder him, literally, he would not be able to live with himself and