Social Inequality Walk Into A Bar

A Mockingbird, a Finch, and Social Inequality Walk Into a Bar...: Social Convention in To Kill a Mockingbird Small town mentality suggests bucolic landscapes, unique demographics, isolation, low population density, and distinct sociocultural patterns. The typical stereotype of a small town is a place that is populated with close-minded, ignorant people. These communities tend to be racially homogenous and include higher rates of poverty. The quintessential small town seems to lack modern progression and is stuck forever in the past. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird focuses around a small, southern community of old-fashioned values and stagnant life. The south in the 1930s was a very volatile place. The Civil War was still recent history …show more content…
Women were expected to cook, clean, look pretty, and be married and have children by the age of 25. Scout is a principal example of a female child struggling to fit these roles placed upon her by her community. The moment Aunt Alexandra arrives in the Finch household, she begins to mould Scout into her societal role as a woman. Alexandra thrusts these ideals upon Scout, immediately. "We decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won't be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys—."(Lee, 127) Aunt Alexandra’s comment reveals the twisted ideals and values of Maycomb and of the early 1900s. Throughout the novel, remarks are consistently made about Scout’s lack of femininity. Even Atticus, a man who is supposedly open-mided, makes sexist remarks; "I guess it's to protect our frail women from sordid cases like Tom's." (Lee, 221) This comment from Atticus proves that sexism is a societal norm within Maycomb, and the severity of these remarks is often overlooked or dismissed. The women in this community enforce these rules as much as the men do; they seem to be perfectly content with having little to no personal freedom and living within the mould their society places on them. Karl Marx stated that, “Anyone who knows anything of history knows that great social changes are impossible without feminine upheaval. Social …show more content…
There is an inherited prejudice and hatred in Maycomb county. This feeling of hatred is so great, that even a man as well-liked as Atticus is ostracized for defending a black man. Mrs. Dubose is one the characters who is so spiteful and vindictive, she claims "[Atticus] is no better than the niggers and trash he works for." (102) Atticus is characterized as a person who judges people based on their merit, not the color of their skin. Unfortunately, many people at the time did not share the same morals as Atticus. The publicity surrounding the trial of Tom Robinson certainly proves the town's character and shows where it stood on the issue of racism. A white man's word, regardless of his reputation or background will always be favoured over that of a black man's. Mayella and Bob Ewell were from a family that many considered to be the equivalent to savages. On the other hand, Tom Robinson, the man accused and convicted, was know to be a kind and passionate man. Racism is not just prevalent in the white community, but the black community as well. In one instance, Calpurnia brings Scout and Jem to church with her and a woman named Lula approaches the trio. Lula inquires why Calpurnia has brought white children to their church. Lula quickly becomes hostile and says to Calpurnia, “‘You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here- they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?”’ (Lee, 158)