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Generalizing Gender Roles In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

614 Words3 Pages

Nina K. Hutchins
Mrs. Hirtz
English 10
6 March 2023
Generalizing Gender According to the dictionary, gender is the male or female division of a species. In a society, the gender roles that are given by the citizens impact one's lifestyle, choices, and views of each other. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee reveals the true impact that gender roles have on a community. She uses characterization and irony in her novel. It is apparent that Harper Lee acknowledges the impact of gender roles on a community. In addition to Scout's ironic late realization, the town and Miss Stephanie’s rude remark to Scout characterizes her as a tomboy. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses characterization and irony to propose that if society enforces gender roles, it can restrict people's abilities and limit their potential. …show more content…

Scout's late realization of Atticus’ actions shows her influence to generalize her father's actions as a woman's job. “I know now what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work” (Lee 152). This moment shows that Scout believes that only a woman can do what Atticus was trying to do. The significance here is that gender roles are limiting Atticus from doing what he wants. Moreover, Atticus’ reasoning for women not being on juries limits the role that they play in the court. “Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she's a woman… ’the ladies’d be interrupting to ask questions” (252). It is revealed here that Atticus believes that all women would be disruptive on juries. Based on these actions it is evident that women are limited to their roles and the things that society thinks they are capable of doing. Thus, gender roles limit the citizens'

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