Feminist Theory In To Kill A Mockingbird

Feminism plays an extraordinarily vexatious character that deeply affects the decisions, roles, and outcomes throughout the plot of the phenomenon, To Kill a Mockingbird.  With the usage of a feminist approach, one can deftly pluck the misogyny that lurks inside of various characters, and the stereotypical image of “perfect” projected onto females for guidance.

As a classic sensation, To Kill A Mockingbird features an adolescent Jean Louise Finch, better known as Scout, and her progression from childhood to youth with the crucial presence of her older brother Jem in the time frame of the 1960’s.  With the progression of Scout’s first person narrative in retrospect, her tone transfigures from childlike, humorous and nostalgic to increasingly dark and critical of society as the plot thickens.  The major conflicts that are propelled towards Scout and Jem include accidents that seem to disrupt their innocence and reveal the villainous side of human nature.  With the increasing occurrence of these mind boggling events, Scout and Jem struggle to grasp onto the remaining threads of hope and faith. 

The ponderous pressure of femininity played a meticulous responsibility on generating the boundaries applied upon Scout and as a result, her confidence and optimism for her own self dwindled.  The persistent stipulations of feminism were painfully gifted to Scout from her Aunt Alexandra.  While her demeanor consists of a strong-will and fierce compassion for her family, Alexandra’s devotion to her flawless womanly image causes her to clash with Scout on many occasions.  Aunt Alexandra’s disdain of Scout’s tomboy personality shines through her  several attempts to mould Scout into the perfect stereotypical image of what a woman should look and act like. 

Including Jem, in the 1960’s , the majority  of men retained a perspective on women and girls that implied that they were overly cautious, whiney, hesitant, frail or afraid. This belief was implied into the pages of To Kill A Mockingbird with Scout’s disinclination to visit Boo Radley’s home.  "Scout, I'm tellin' you for the last time, shut your trap or go home—I declare to the Lord you're gettin' more like a girl every day!" With that, I had no option but to join them.  This occasion provided Jem with the conception that women are frigid and whiney towards new activities. 

As the fluctuating array of opinions aimed towards Scout increased, she found a preposterous mentor in Miss Maudie, a widow, and the Finches’ sharp-tongued neighbour. Unlike the other ladies of Maycomb, Miss Maudie uses her exquisite language to counter meanness instead of perpetuating it.  Although her witty orientation seems anomalous, Miss Maudie disciplines both Scout and Jem through the presentation of life lessons.  Considered a friend through the judgement of Scout and Jem, Miss Maudie treats them with respect, very much contrastive from the conduct of other womanly figures in the town of Maycomb. With Miss Stephanie prying and poking around the lives of children, especially Scout, and Miss Merriweather using an unconditionally divergent tone of language with the children than with the grown-ups, Miss Maudie sees kids as inexperienced adults and treats them accordingly. Not only does Miss Maudie vanquish the line of separation between young and old, she teaches Scout that being a lady doesn’t have to starch the real selfhood within. 

Although Atticus does not cast a bold feminine guiding light upon Scout, he certainly has an immensely great impact on the lives of his children. His role in the development and growth of Scout and Jem is discrete and takes a rugged turn. He realizes that shielding his kids in the short term does not benefit them at all in the long run and holds Jem and Scout to the high standards he holds himself. Not only does Atticus parent his children in a tremendously honorable manner, he also sets a beautiful example.  As Miss Maudie states, “the same in his house as he is on the public streets.”  In conclusion, Atticus stands for truth, fairness and possesses hidden courage. As his compassionate persona projects, Atticus advises Scout that before judging anyone, one should “climb into their skin and walk around in it.” Atticus plays a significantly momentous role in developing Scout’s character. Without bogging her down with dainty social pretenses and notions of rectitude, Atticus managed to nurture Scout’s conscience and individuality. While other girls in Scout’s orientation would be dressing up ravishingly and learning etiquette, Scout rendered herself with an open, like minded personality.

Calpurnia, the Finch’s housekeeper, encompasses a motherly role in the lives of Scout and Jem. With her forthright attitude and independence, Calpurnia retained traits and values like no other women of her era. Although her character illuminates as gruff and pedantic, Calpurnia’s true kind-hearted and caring nature unraveled as the story progressed. Endeavouring to discipline Jem and Scout by teaching them that white and black people should be treated equal. Awed by Calpurnia’s indifferences to the inclination towards females by men, Scout set her ignorance aside to be independant and manage a mix of masculine and feminine qualities. The mutual respect between these two females taught Scout kindness, courage and that women can make a difference in the world by influencing the people around them. 

While Maycomb possessed plenty women like Calpurnia, there was no shortage of women that embraced the stereotypical image of women and then used it to their advantage in a diabolical manner. Mayella Ewell, who accused Tom Robinson of raping her, carried this unfortunately conniving mannerism. During the Robinson trial, she broke down several times and conveyed the image that women were poor, delicate, helpless creatures that could easily be toyed with, thus earning the sympathy of Judge Taylor. Mayella’s duplicity also disentangled during her questioning with Atticus. With no knowledge of how to answer Atticus’s questions, she started crying, this suggested that Atticus was being too harsh on such a fragile creature like herself. The audience and court noticed how ‘delicate’ she was and came to the conclusion that anybody who could harm such a creature should be immediately condemned.  Although this thought was not voiced at the time, it certainly showed in the courts’ verdict. 

The heaps of feminism crammed precisely in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird is the brainchild of it’s author, Harper Lee.  Born in Monroeville, Alabama, in the 1930’s, Nelle Harper Lee was habitually exposed to the harsh racism and feminist discrimination of this time period as a child.   

Many aspects of Harper Lee’s personality were infused into her interpretation of the female protagonist, Scout, through a variety of parallels in To Kill A Mockingbird. While witnessing the many diverging aspects of American life in the 1920’s and 1930’s, Harper Lee also spectated the prejudice and biased dissimilarity between the men and women of her time. Choosing to embrace her true self, Lee refused surrender to the materialistic distractions of life and pursued her dream of writing. Her studious attitude and ability to ignore useless interferences allowed her vision of the Great Depression to spread internationally. Preferring to allow her novel speak for itself, Harper Lee’s classic continues to impress and inspire readers globally. 


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