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Miss Stephanie Crawford In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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To Kill a Mockingbird Character and Theme Analysis: Stephanie Crawford
Even in modern times, gossip is a prominent element of small town life in the United States. Gossip influences behavior and reinforces the dynamics that put the power in the hands of a vocal few who have social status. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Stephanie Crawford is a minor character who plays an important role in the prejudice and social class hierarchy of Maycomb. She is best described as gossipy, manipulative, and judgemental as she clings to a set of social norms and prejudices that continue to divide the town.
After the trial, the town is washed in gossip when Bob Ewell spits in Atticus’s face, and it is Miss Stephanie’s compulsion to gossip …show more content…

After the trial, Miss Stephanie is overheard deep in conversation with Miss Gates who makes statements like, “It’s time somebody taught ’em a lesson, they were gettin’ way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us” (331). By simply being part of the conversation, Miss Stephanie is part of the narrow-minded population who continue to judge others based on color. She feeds off of the misery of others and uses it to spread negativity throughout Maycomb. And her actions are not limited to questioning and belittling adults. In chapter 24, at Aunt Alexandra’s Missionary Circle meeting, Miss Stephanie shames Scout not only for how she dresses but also for having been at Tom’s trial sitting in the colored section. She mockingly questions Scout about wanting to be a lawyer because she’d “already commenced to going to court” and continued with telling her, “Well, you won’t get very far until you start wearing dresses more often” (308). Facing the judgement of others can chip away at one’s confidence, but luckily Scout is hard headed and has Miss Maudie to help deflect the negative attention away from

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