To Kill a Mocking Bird - Gender Roles

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Gender roles within ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’ Characteristics: * Miss Merriweather expresses her racist views at the missionary tea * “Just ruins you day to have one of ‘em in the kitchen.” – Mrs Merriweather (p. 256) * Proves that Mrs Merriweather is racist and doesn’t like black people * She is a typical woman of Maycomb * Jem states he is a gentleman like his father * “Atticus is a gentleman, just like me!” (p. 109) * Scout is a tomboy * “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. 90) * “I would fight anyone from a third cousin tooth and nail. Francis Hancock, for example, knew that.” (p. 99) * Tom Robinson is feminine (soft, gentle personality) * “And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white women has had to put his word against two white people’s.” (p. 225) * Aunt Alexandra exaggerates how to be a lady to Scout * “Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add- A-Pearl necklace she gave me.” (p. 90) * This quote indicates how Aunt Alexandra believes all young ladies should act. * “She asked me to tell you you must try to behave like the little lady and gentleman that you are.” (p. 147) * This quote tells us more of Aunt Alexandra’s character * Atticus is the provider of the family and is a good father * Atticus has different values on how to treat children * “Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him…” (p.97) * “This was not my father. My father never thought these thoughts. My father never though so.” (p. 147) * Indicates Atticus has never made Scout or Jem act in a particular way *
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