Throughout the novel, Lee gives Scout certain male characteristics. A significant mannerism involves her beginning of physical disputes with other classmates. "Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me (Scout) some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop. 'You're bigger'n he is,' he said" (page22). Traditionally, young girls do not participate in fistfights. Instead, many girls play games with dolls, take ballet lessons, and wear dresses. However, Scout partakes in many fights and finds "pleasure" in beating her fellow classmates. When Scout fights with Walter Cunningham, her older brother, Jem, feels obligated to scold his little sister and stop the fight. Jem's reaction seems significant because usually females criticize males for fighting, whereas Jem must restrain his little sister. Lee uses fist fighting to create a masculine atmosphere for her main character. This just shows how different Scout is to a ‘normal’ young girl i.e. she act in a masculine manner. Because Scout acts in such a manner she is given a lot of hastle from the traditional people in her county
First of all she often receives criticism from female adults about the way she dresses. In one particular case, Mrs. Dubose, a grumpy old lady, stops Jem and Scout while they walk into town. "'Don't you contradict me!' Mrs. Dubose bawled. 'And you -' she pointed an arthritic finger at me- 'what are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!" (page101). Mrs. Dubose represents a miserable old "hag" who hassles Jem and Scout almost every time they walk past her house. When Mrs. Dubose tells Scout to dress like a lady, the little girl grimaces because she does not want to accept advice from such a terrible, ill-tempered woman. The author intensifies the situation when Jem reacts to Mrs. Dubose's outburst. "'Come on, Scout,' he whispered. 'Don't pay any attention to her, just hold your head high and be a gentleman'" (page101). Along with the old lady's initial comments, Jem's reply gives Scout even more incentive to remain a tomboy. Her brother's response provides Scout an opportunity to contrast her two choices of behaviour and demeanour. The unpleasant Mrs. Dubose practically demands that Scout act more like a lady and wear dresses. On the other hand, Jem insists that Scout should act like a "gentleman," which might encourage her to act like her loving brother or a tomboy. One should realize that Jem does not advise his little sister to be a "lady" but a "gentleman," which suggests the author attempts to expose Scout to male qualities. Furthermore, it represents an important situation where Lee seems to discourage Scout to become a lady and conform to the many persona of a southern female. This is one of the examples of sexism towards Scout in the novel.
Another example of sexism towards Scout is as Tom Robinson's trial approaches, Aunt Alexandra (Atticus’ sister) arrives in Maycomb to provide Jem and Scout with a mother-figure. While Aunt Alexandra stays with the Finch family, she often insists Scout should act more like a lady. "Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. 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" (page81). Scout believes in having fun with her brother and Dill. She must wear pants to participate in the boy's various physical activities. Unfortunately, Aunt Alexandra does not understand why Scout continues to act like a tomboy. Lee develops the idea further when she describes Aunt Alexandra's "prissy"(particular and Hard to please) friends: The gentle hum of ladies' voices grew louder as she opened the door: 'Why, Alexandra, I never saw such Charlotte . . .just lovely . . . I never can get my crust like this, never can . . . who'd've thought of little dewberry tarts . . . Calpurnia? . . . who'da thought it . . . anybody tell you that the preacher's wife's . . . nooo, well she is, and that other one not walkin' yet . . .' (page228)
Lee gives the reader an example of why Scout chooses to remain a tomboy and have fun with her male friends. The conversations these "prissy" women have do not interest Scout. At her young age she prefers to play games with her friends she can relate to. Unlike Aunt Alexandra and her companions, she does not share the same interest in such things as "little dewberry tarts." In reaction to these women, the author reveals Scout's true feelings toward these traditional women. "Ladies in bunches always filled me with vague apprehension and a firm desire to be elsewhere, but this feeling was what Aunt Alexandra called being 'spoiled' (page229). It becomes clear to the reader that the ladies of Maycomb represent unpleasant and arrogant southern females. Scout does not want to follow the actions of Maycomb women but would rather have fun in a boyish manner. Lee presents the dialogue in an entertaining manner as she describes the pretentious women. The author uses the women's conversations to emphasize the reasons Scout remains a tomboy and refuses the traits of Maycomb females.
Harper Lee provides the reader with several examples of typical Maycomb females. She establishes Scout's masculinity with fighting and explains her behaviour and character by contrasting it with the typical female adults of the novel. The author also allows Jean Louise to wear masculine clothing and gives her a manly nickname. Therefore, the author favours Scout's unique personality and implies women do not have to act in a stereotypical manner. The book might inspire young girls to become independent and create their own unique personalities. To Kill a Mockingbird, emerges as an important novel that condemns female society and suggests that girls should not feel pressure to act in scripted "womanly" roles.
