Examples Of Illusory Superiority In To Kill A Mockingbird

Illusory Superiority More common than true supremacy in Maycomb, the city focused on in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is illusory superiority. Nothing about having white skin, being a male, or a certain age makes an individual inherently superior to an African American, female, or adolescent, yet some think otherwise. Most Maycomb community members believe they are better then everyone else. Some townspeople are of the opinion that a person’s exterior appearance affects where he or she falls on the social ladder. Boys consider themselves superior to girls, whites consider themselves superior to African Americans, and some Maycomb elders consider themselves superior to Maycomb adolescents. Although it is common nature to decide where one stands …show more content…
Around the 1930’s, women were just starting to get jobs, work when married, and even remain proudly single. However, society, being used to their old ways, was not 100% supportive. In 1936, a Polish individual asked in Fortune magazine, "Do you believe that married women should have a full time job outside the home?" Astoundingly, only fifteen percent straightforwardly claimed they approved of this advancement in independence for women. These respondents were all vacuumed into the flawed belief that men are dominant to women. Right in Maycomb, as Jem matures, he enters a stage where he thinks it is acceptable to disrespect his sister. In one particular scenario, Scout is strives to convince Jem that Atticus is aware of their game involving Boo Radley.