Harper Lee is a very talented author who happens to use her story, To Kill a Mockingbird, to teach and inform readers about the past and the differentiation between peoples’ perspectives of the old way of life. The existence of the theme of prejudice is the foundation for the novel, and without it, readers would have a more challenging time understanding and connecting with the story. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, illustrates the theme of prejudice through the presence of gender prejudice and racial prejudice. To begin, the novel demonstrates instances of gender prejudice. Gender prejudice is simply the actions or thoughts based on gender-based perception of women and men’s expected roles and behaviors in society. Harper …show more content…
In this matter, Scout is stereotyped as being one of those Maycomb women. Furthermore, young women are expected to participate in “feminine” activities that encourage them to be attractive and behave in delicate ways. To elaborate, “Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life” (81). In Maycomb, it is naturally assumed that women are only seen for their attractiveness and delicacy. Aunt Alexandra expresses why it is so important for Scout to participate in certain activities that pertain to women’s known roles in society. It's unthinkable for women in that time to display themselves in any way that makes them less feminine. Therefore, when Scout proves to behave and dress the opposite of this demeanor, she is criticized and put down because of her distinct personality. Because women are assumed to act a specific way as opposed to men in this scenario, gender prejudice is revealed. Another example of gender prejudice is shown when Atticus voices his feelings that women are unfit to be effective jurors in the courtroom. Harper Lee’s incorporation of this