How Does “To Kill A Mockingbird” Reflect The Divided Nature Of 1930s America?

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How Does "To Kill A Mockingbird" Reflect The Divided Nature Of 1930s America

By Sam Woods

During the course of this essay I will be discussing the underlying themes in the Harper Lee classic To Kill A Mockingbird. The setting of this influential novel is the American South in the 1930s, a time and place where social division was rife. The South represents a region of the United States which demonstrates relatively traditional values. For example, southern societies suggest men act like gentlemen, and women act in a polite manner and wear dresses. Such characteristics mainly emerge in small southern towns because they remain unaffected by large groups of people from different parts of the country.

Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird documents the life of a young girl growing up in Maycomb, Alabama. Jean Louise Finch, also known as "Scout," represents a young girl who attempts to find her identity. The young tomboy receives pressure from adults who insist she should conform to the traditional role of a southern lady. Harper Lee uses nicknames, fist fighting, virile clothing, and undesirable women to portray Jean Louise's masculinity while encouraging her to postpone becoming a lady.

In traditional society, parents name children according to their gender. Common names for boys include John, Robert and James, whereas Elizabeth, Sarah, and Cathy represent standard names for girls. The author gives her main character two common female titles, Jean Louise. Many southern females have two first names which reinforce their role in society as a Southern Belle, or a traditional southern lady. Lee contrasts this extremely feminine name with her masculine label, Scout. "'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'" (p.52). It seems interesting Lee assigns Jean Louise such a manly name. Although the nickname accurately describes her personality, it does not seem appropriate for female society. Also, Jem condemns Scout for acting like a girl. Consequently, he does not refer to her as Jean Louise but as Scout. This idea might influence Jean Louise to accept her nickname and act in a boyish manner. The author emphasizes Jean Louise's masculinity with the unique nickname and influences her to act in a similar style.

Throughout the novel, Lee gives Scout certain male characteristics. A significant trait involves her initiation of physical altercations with other classmates. "Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me 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" (p.22). 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 brawl. Jem's reaction seems significant because usually females rebuke males for fighting, whereas Jem must restrain his little sister. Lee uses fist fighting to create a masculine aura for her main character. Throughout the novel, Scout encounters various people she does not necessarily like. Her only young friends are her older brother Jem, and Dill, a boy who visits Maycomb during the summer. She spends most of her time with these two boys and does not associate with many girls. Therefore, Scout often wears jeans, overalls, and other boyish clothes in order to relate to her male friends. Unfortunately, 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!'" (p.101). 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 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'" (p.101). 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 demeanor. 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 traits of a southern female. One of the reasons Scout finds difficulty in becoming a lady involves her demanding Aunt Alexandra. As Tom Robinson's trial approaches, Aunt Alexandra 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" (p.81). 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" friends:
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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 . . .' (p.228)

Lee gives the reader an example of why Scout chooses to remain ...

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