To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee: Character Analysis

As humans, we often want to feel loved and accepted. We want to feel like part of a community. However, at times this need causes us to give up our true selves. In To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, Lee shows how society’s pressure to fit in and be accepted can cause one to give up part of one’s self, which is sometimes necessary. Lee demonstrates that one must conform to society when necessary, but never give up their true self.
First, being pressured into society’s stereotypes can cause one to form two sides to their personality. Maycomb has always been a tight knit community. Everyone knows everyone else and cares for each other. When using symbolism to describe the close knit town, Lee writes, “There was a lady in the moon in

It symbolizes being protected and watched. Similarly, Maycomb has “a lady in the moon”. This still symbolizes being watched and protected, but the word “lady” explains that the women in town are really the ones who watch over the people, especially the children. This sets the expectation that the rest of the girls in town are to do the same. This symbol explains the stereotypical society Maycomb lives in. Women are expected to care for the children and be the mothering figures for the town. Furthermore, Miss Maudie is aware of this public opinion, but is not willing to entirely give up who she is. While describing Miss Maudie in a metaphor, Lee writes “Miss Maudie hated her house: the time she spent indoors was time wasted. She was a window, a chameleon lady who worked in her flower beds in an old straw hat and men's overalls, but after her five o'clock bath she would appear on the porch and reign over the street in magisterial beauty” (Lee 47). Miss Maudie knows that in order to fit in in Maycomb she has to conform to society a little bit. Thus, she is described as a “chameleon lady”. This metaphor shows that she can blend in with society when she needs to. Just as

As Jem and Scout age, Jem starts to become more aware of society’s stereotypes. One of which is that women should behave a particular way. Jem picks up on the fact the men should have power over women and starts to tease and order Scout around. Jem says to Scout “It’s time you started bein’ a girl and acting right”. (Lee 131). This piece of irony shows Jem’s use of his male power over Scout because she is a girl. The phrase he uses to tell Scout to conform to society is that it’s time she “started bein’ a girl”. These words show irony because Scout is a girl. Yet, she is told to start being one. This is because while Scout may be female, she does not act like it. She likes to wear overalls and play in the dirt with her brother and male best friend. According to society, this is incorrect. This is portrayed when Jem says she needs to start “acting right”. This phrase implies that Scout behaving different than other women is not right. Society does not accept incorrect behavior. In addition, after Tom Robinson was killed, Scout and her aunt had to put on a brave face to pretend everything was alright. Atticus told them the news while they were in the middle of a missionary circle meeting, so they kept on serving sweet treats to all of the ladies at their house like nothing bad had happened. Lee writes “I carefully picked up the tray and watched myself