In the early 1930s and before, a "real man" was seen with pure authority and power, who was tasked with decision-making for women, while women were seen as domestic and primary caretakers. Men have always been seen as the ones in control, and women have always been in their shadows. Women have always been second-guessed because no one takes them seriously. This theme has been connected with Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Although this has been happening for a long time, men and women are pushing through the gender roles that are constantly made onto them, but they are continually trying to get out of that shadow of expectations. As shown by a comparison of males and females in Maycomb, gender roles and expectations limit opportunities for women and prove that people fear …show more content…
One example of males having expectations made of them is when Atticus tells the boys that “you rarely win, but sometimes you do”(149). Atticus tells the boys that sometimes you will win and sometimes you will lose, but never give up. The town forced him to drop the case because black people usually do not get a chance in court. Atticus is held to Maycomb’s expectations because he is meant to be brave in front of his kids and the town all the time. Another example of males having expectations pushed onto them is when Jem is comforting Scout and says, " 'Try to go to sleep,' 'It'll be all over after tomorrow maybe' "(177). He is comforting Scout after they came home from the jailhouse because Scout is scared for his dad. It turns out that Jem's vision deserves Scout's attention, so she can turn to comfort when she needs it. Jem is held to his father's expectations because he wants Scout to have a role model to look up to. He tries to follow in his father's footsteps so he can have a good life being a man. Another example of males having expectations pushed onto them is when Jem stayed with his father even though he says, " 'Son, I said go home,' Jem shock his head"(173). He doesn't