Essay On Southern Women In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the notion is presented that above all else, a Southern woman is supposed to conform to a role that is passive and polite. Because of the emphasis on proprietary behavior and obedience, Southern women are unable to express themselves, which leads to politely cruel treatment of one another. The expectations, the unwritten rules, and the opinions others have regarding Southern women are all contributing factors in the continuation of this culture. However, Scout resists turning into what everyone around her is pressuring her to become, and by the end of the novel, with the guidance of Miss Maudie, and eventually Aunt Alexandra, Scout creates her own definition of the idea, with wholehearted acceptance from…show more content…
Scout, in thought, states that Aunt Alexandra wouldn’t let her wear breeches, because “I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches. When I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants" (108) Aunt Alexandra's first opinion of what Scout should portray through her attire is that of a girl who is growing up to be a lady, who is just like all the other women in Maycomb. Later on, she changes her view. Scout is supposed to be put in her place, and doing only (by the traditional standard) “feminine” activities. When Jem attempts to comfort Scout, because her frustration with her Aunt is growing, Jem says “She's trying to make you a lady. Can't you take up sewing or something?” (302) This is framing the pressure to conform as a positive thing. Despite the fact that Jem is trying to make Scout feel better, this quote, again, places all domestic duties as something women should inherently learn as they grow up, unlike boys. Comments such as these could potentially have been what leads many of the older women from the missionary tea to be so volatile in a polite manner. Because what Southern women have to be is predetermined for them, they have no independence or choice, and this, internally, creates feelings of deep
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