ipl-logo

How Does Lee Use Gender Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

808 Words4 Pages

Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is one of the most successful American novels in history. Set in the 1930s, it is the story of a fictional white lawyer, Atticus Finch, who represents a falsely accused black man, Tom Robinson. Told through the eyes of Atticus’ Finch daughter, Scout, the book introduced readers to race relations and justice in the south. Atticus was looking to lynch him. As a result, Atticus has been held up as a role model for young lawyers. As previously stated, the book does not have overt medical themes; nonetheless, there are lessons to be learned. Socioeconomic inequality is the case of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. Despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence, including the testimony of several witnesses, Tom was convicted by an all-white jury simply because of his race. The …show more content…

By creating and using these strongly opinionated characters, Lee can show the thoughts and ideas behind gender stereotyping in the 1930s. These characters all have their own unique views on what roles each gender should portray, and what they can and can’t do, which adds conflict and disagreement in different parts of the storyline. Considering current events, the book should “serve as a clarion call for racial and social justice.” Most significantly and often overlooked is the fact that the falsely accused black man is found guilty and imprisoned. As a result of the wrongs heaped upon him, Tom is full of despair and attempts to escape from prison. As he does so, he is shot 17 times in the back. While the novel has been praised for its depiction of Atticus’ moral character, further analysis reveals deep flaws. Careful reading of Atticus is racist, and racism, segregation, and a caste system are displayed throughout the story. The novel is written from a white privileged

Show More
Related

How Does Lee Use Atticus Closing Argument In To Kill A Mockingbird

899 Words | 4 Pages

Writing about the prejudiced Alabamian town of Maycomb, Harper Lee sets a scene of poverty and failed education through the lens of Scout Finch, daughter of a knowledgeable lawyer, Atticus Finch. She is participating in a trial that debates racism through accused rape; Atticus must defend a black man within the confines of a biased racial case, whilst believing in equality. Atticus’ contrasting beliefs create a differing clause amongst a town in the 1930’s. Surrounded by a struggling Great Depression and failed literacy, Atticus must convince Maycomb’s farmer jury to defend Tom Robinson, the accused. Though Atticus Finch appeals through logic to persuade a new concept of equity, by quoting a credible source to a jury of uneducated white men,

Read More

How Does Lee Present The Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

561 Words | 3 Pages

Harper Lee clearly shows the gender roles present during the time of the Great Depression in To Kill a Mockingbird. As the characters progress and Jem and Scout grow up, more signs of gender discrimination are present. It starts with Jem picking on Scout for being scared. When Scout is afraid to retrieve the tire, Jem says, “I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’” (42). Acting like a girl in this case means to be scared and weak, whereas the boys were expected to be strong and brave.

Read More

How Does Lee Present Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

858 Words | 4 Pages

But when he defends Tom Robinson, a black man, in court by actually believing he’s innocent and did not rape a white woman the family gets a lot of bad predigest from the people in town. During the 1930’s this was unthinkable that a white man like Atticus would defend a black man like Tom Robinson in court. So as the book surrounds itself around this case it shows many examples of hate that this family has to go through and learn about segregation against the African Americans.

Read More

Atticus Finch Is A Hero Essay

1166 Words | 5 Pages

Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.

Read More

How Does Atticus Show Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

771 Words | 4 Pages

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a fictional story set in the Great Depression in Maycomb Alabama. The story takes place in the 1930s in the South, where racism and prejudice were widespread. Atticus Finch, a lawyer, takes on a case in which a black man, Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a white woman. Despite the odds against him, Atticus decides to defend Tom because he believes that everyone deserves a fair trial. Through his actions, Atticus teaches his children the importance of standing up for what is right and fighting against injustice, even if it is difficult.

Read More

Atticus Finch Stereotypes

776 Words | 4 Pages

This novel is about how African-Americans were treated unfairly in the past, especially in the South. Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is given a court case in Alabama to defend a black man (Tom Robinson) who has been accused of raping a white woman. Harper lee uses the plot of the hearing to shine a light on the ugliness of racism/bigotry during that time. Harper Lee wrote this book because of how she thought black people were being treated around the 1930’s period; book being set in 1930’s. Although, the book was written in the 1950’s same problems were still occurring around her.

Read More

Who Is Tom Robinson's Defense In To Kill A Mockingbird

256 Words | 2 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel set in the 1930s, depicting the life of Scout ,a young girl and daughter of a lawyer. The lawyer ,Atticus, defends a man falsely accused of rape, on circumstantial evidence. There are many reasons as to why his defense,although brilliant, failed. Some include, racism, bias, and a lying witness. Racism was a big factor in the judicial system back in the 30s.

Read More

Archetypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

1767 Words | 8 Pages

Introduction: To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee in 1961 which depicts social problems such as prejudice and racism against African Americans in south of the United States in 1930’s. The protagonist in this story is Atticus Finch, a father of two children, a lawyer in Mayacomb city and a hero in defending an African American accused man against the wave of oppression and racism of the time. Atticus Finch characterization by Harper lee lets the reader fully immerse in the story which is told by his daughter, Scout, as the first person narrator. In this thesis we will examine Atticus Finch character as the main character of the novel to whether he is a “white savior” or not.

Read More

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

685 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More

Theme Of Community In To Kill A Mockingbird

1580 Words | 7 Pages

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the segregated South of the 1930’s. The book is told in the eyes of an eight year old girl, Scout Finch. Her father, Atticus Finch, is an attorney who is struggling to prove the innocence of a black man incorrectly accused of rape. The historical context of the book lets one see the social status of different groups during the civil rights era. The story explores who fits into certain societies, who is respected in the community, written and unwritten rules concerning family, gender, age, and race, expectations of certain people, and what conflicts arise out of tension.

Read More

Atticus Finch Truth Vs Reality

763 Words | 4 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless American novel by Harper Lee, and centers around a dusty, inconspicuous little town called Maycomb in the 1930s, and the events that rock this unassuming settlement to the core. Beneath the town’s serene exterior lies a rich and often turbulent history, which contributes a lot to the social attitudes of the people at the time. The town’s staunch social scheme is not a good thing for Tom Robinson, an African-American man accused by Bob Ewell, a white man, of sexually assaulting his daughter, Mayella Ewell. Given the color of his skin, Tom is assumed guilty before the trial even begins. Enter Atticus Finch: lawyer and father of the story’s narrator, Scout Finch.

Read More

Examples Of Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

1218 Words | 5 Pages

Despite the clear evidence that he is innocent, the jury finds Tom guilty of a crime he did not commit simply because of the color of his skin. Tom’s conviction and death while trying to escape prison show the devastating consequences of the failure of the justice

Read More

Examples Of Sexism In To Kill A Mockingbird

404 Words | 2 Pages

Despite strong evidence in Tom's favor, the deeply ingrained prejudice against Black people results in an unfair conviction. Lee utilizes this trial to highlight the weaknesses in the legal system as well as the systemic racial discrimination that exists in the South.

Read More

Atticus Finch Essay

773 Words | 4 Pages

Despite knowing that doing so could endanger his personal life and reputation, he is prepared to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who has been charged with a terrible crime. Even when it is challenging, he thinks it is crucial to speak up for what is right (pg.100). Atticus's compassion towards others makes him a deeply empathetic and caring character and is one of the many reasons why he is so beloved by readers of all

Read More

To Kill A Caged Bird Analysis

1630 Words | 7 Pages

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a historical fiction novel told in the eyes of a young girl named Scout  as her father, Atticus Finch , a lawyer in the 1950’s in  Alabama, is burdened with the task of defending a black man, Tom Robinson, of harming a white girl, Mayella Ewell. “Caged Bird”

Read More

More about How Does Lee Use Gender Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document