Societal Norm In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Vemessa Henderson Mrs. Trenkle Honors English C 1 March 2024 “If you expect nothing from somebody you are never disappointed” (Plath). Authors utilize symbolism for character development because it adds depth to a theme. Insinuating that the theme of a societal norm refers to a behavior, belief, or expectation that is considered normal by members of a society. They cover various aspects of life, like manners, gender roles, and body language. Societal norms change overtime as societies progress and adapt to new ideas and perspectives. In Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout Finch is portrayed as a symbol of changing societal norms. Scout Finch is seen as a symbol of a societal norm through her journey of questioning and challenging

The more she learns about the importance of life's meanings, the more significant her character grows. Scout's first interactions with racial prejudice allowed her to acknowledge the unfair treatment towards African-Americans inside her community. An interaction Scout came across and witnessed was the Trial of Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was an innocent man of color who was accused of raping a white woman, Mayella. However, due to racial discrimination in the community the jury was racist and prevented Tom from getting the justice he deserved, simply because of his race. This experience impacted Scout's persona because it was an eye opener and made her realize how awful colored people in the community were treated, “I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks”(Lee 259). It made her a more empathetic person and grew her understanding that everyone should be treated equally, beyond their skin color or background. Another societal norm that Scouts face is gender roles. In the 1960s in the community of Maycomb men were expected to work, to earn money and provide for the families. The women played their roles by keeping the homes clean, taking care of the kids, and dressing