Theme Of Gender Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s widely acclaimed novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, addresses many themes that continue to influence our modern world. At first glance, the book seems to dwell mainly on racism and injustice, but a deeper look reveals other themes, such as gender inequality and social class. This has proved one of the main reasons that it remains as relevant today as it was at the time of its publishing. Not only are its themes varied, but very few of them are neatly resolved, making it a simple, honest portrayal. It often went both ways, as shown in the book – men believed (that they were/ themselves to be) superior to women, but women saw themselves as more sensible and logical than men. Gender inequality is prominently/principally†¦show more content†¦Miss Maudie spends much of her time in the gardens, but she also has a penchant for cooking and a thorough knowledge of scripture. But despite her resourcefulness, strength of character, and extensive knowledge of s cripture, Atticus tells Scout and Jem, â€Å"‘For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she’s a woman’† (252). The three later laugh, saying that perhaps this restriction might prove a good thing, as women on a jury would continually interrupt to ask too many questions, but these possible queries seem little more than how Atticus’s own questioning of Mayella Ewell. To Kill a Mockingbird also presents examples of reverse gender bias. This is mainly shown/demonstrated in Tom Robinson’s court case, as Mayella takes advantage of the judges’ sympathy. Not only was Mayella young and white, which already gained her a better standing than Tom Robinson, but she was also a woman. These combined factors gained her sympathy somewhat more easily from the judges during the hearing than Tom, even though the latter was infinitely more polite, humble, and honest. When trying to convince Atticus to carry a rifle, Scout says, â€Å"Jem said it might work if I cried and flung a fit, being young and a girl† (249). This is essentiallyShow MoreRelatedInequality In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay1241 Words   |  5 PagesGender inequality and race inequality are similar and different in that they are both unjust, however race inequality plays a more prominent unjust theme in the time and setting of To Kill a Mockingbird. Both black people and wo men dealt with stereotypes, like being a woman associated with being useless, a gossip, and delusional and being a black person meant you are uneducated. These stereotypes led to the word â€Å"female† or â€Å"n*gger† or black an offensive term. These connotations made being a womanRead MoreThe Theme of Inequality in Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird736 Words   |  3 PagesInequality is a theme that runs throughout all of history. Harper Lee uses the theme of inequality in her book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson must deal with inequality when he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit because no one will trust a black man over a white man. The Cunningham family must face discrimination because of their lack of money. Scout even faces inequality when she tries to play with Jem and Dill. The theme of inequality is a strong one in Lee’s book, and her use of inequalityRead MoreDivisions And Inequality In To Kill A Mockingbird1481 Words   |  6 PagesIn the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the major themes that author Harper Lee highlights are the divisions and inequality in society. The story is set in the 1930’s in Maycomb, Alabama when class, gender, and racial discrimination were highly prevalent. In this time Jim Crow laws were in effect. Jim Crow laws mandated the segregation between black and whites. Consequences of questioning Jim Crow laws were violent and people were rejected from society and their family. The 1930’s is also theRead More`` The Ultimate Measure Of A Man `` By Martin Luther King Jr.1097 Words   |  5 Pagesis where he stands at times of challenge and controversy’ accurately portrays the bildungsroman - To Kill A Mockingbird - a novel set in the Old South during 1930s where racial segregation shunned African Americans from society. Attorney at law, Atticus Finch, confronts the judicial system exploring themes of ethics and justice regarding white superiority. Scout explores themes of gender inequality and courage while Boo Radley relates to Impaired judgement resulting in prejudice and good vs. evilRead MoreEssay On Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird2101 Words   |  9 Pages n.d. Web. 30 Dec. 2017.). Discrimination and prejudice make justice difficult to achieve, allowing inequality to ensue. In the film To Kill a Mockingbird, directed by Robert Mulligan and in the film A Time to Kill, directed by Joel Schumacher, this issue is obvious. Both films take place in the Southern United States at a time when racism was at its peak. In the first film (To Kill a Mockingbird), a young girl named Scout witnesses chaos in her town when a black man is accused of raping a low-classRead MoreAnalysis Of Harper Lees To Kill A Mockingbird1210 Words   |  5 Pageslearn from who and what surrounds us, things that help to form our identity. Prejudice is an integral theme in Harper Lee’s, To Kill A Mockingbird. Prejudice is evident throughout the novel, no t just in the appalling racism but also through, prejudice against different sexual orientations, gender constructs and feminism. Society had certain constructs that had to be met. Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee breaks the bounds to overcome barriers, and challenge social constructs. This feature articleRead MoreInequality in To Kill a Mockingbird901 Words   |  4 Pages One of the major themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is the divisions in human society and how those cause inquality among people. Even though most people know that they shouldnt judge others, its human nature, and because of this, it causes different sections of society. Most of the characters experience this throughout the novel. In To Kill a Mockingbird, certain divisions in society cause inequality in the town of Maycomb, and the characters and the reader both learn important lessons. WhenRead MoreBook Report On Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1857 Words   |  8 PagesLucas Garvey Mrs. Tavares H. English 10 21 May 2016 Inequality in American Society Today The book To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a book based around social inequality present in Maycomb county in the 1930’s. The novel takes place in Maycomb, a small town in southern Alabama. The book is also during the 1930s depression era. Lee s novel is told from the perspective of a young girl, Jean Louise Finch, who s nickname is Scout. Scout grows up in a racist, and intricate world. She strugglesRead MoreDiscrimination Is A Dominant Theme Within The Film Of Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1342 Words   |  6 Pagesassessing their circumstances, stereotypical assumptions are made. Discrimination can occur to anyone, but is prevalent in groups such as race, social class, and gender; throughout American history, the discrimination of these groups was commonplace and a widely accepted behaviour. The reality of these are told through Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird which depicts the childhood of a girl in 1930’s America who experiences first hand disc rimination and observes prejudice towards others in her community.Read MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1695 Words   |  7 PagesIn To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee presents as a ‘tired old town’ where the inhabitants have ‘nowhere to go’ it is set in the 1930s when prejudices and racism were at a peak. Lee uses Maycomb town to highlight prejudices, racism, poverty and social inequality. In chapter 2 Lee presents the town of Maycomb to be poverty stricken, emphasised through the characterisation of Walter Cunningham. When it is discovered he has no lunch on the first day of school, Scout tries to explain the situation to Miss