How Does Harper Lee Use Gender Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the portrayal of gender roles and femininity challenges the social norms and shows a subtle perspective on the complexities in the novel. While the novel is known for its exploration of racism and moral integrity, it also provides a critical examination of gender roles and the expectations of femininity. Through characters like Scout Finch and her aunt Alexandra, Harper Lee challenges traditional norms of what it means to be a woman in a patriarchal society. Throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the reader can see the biased treatment against women and men. In chapter 14, the imbalance between genders is evident. Dill’s parents would often fight unless he was around. Dill goes on to say that they buy him whatever he wants, but it

His parents were using this as an insult, which in return is implying that he was acting unmanly, and more feminine. This statement shows the societal pressure for boys to engage in physical activities and show emotional resilience. This quote from the novel vividly illustrates how characters like Scout navigate and challenge their roles, representing the novel’s critique of the limitations imposed by conventional gender roles. In chapter 13 of To Kill A Mockingbird, Aunt Alexandra decides that it is time for her to come and stay at the house so that Scout can have a feminine influence in her life while she continues to grow up. Alexandra says it will not be long before she is interested in clothes and boys, Scout thinks otherwise by saying, “I could have made several answers to this: Cal's a girl, it would be many years before I would be interested in boys, I would never be interested in clothes... but I kept quiet” (Lee 127). The quote shows what Scout truly thinks about gender expectations. As a girl, she knows she is supposed to be interested in clothes and boys. But she decided not to say