To Kill a Mockingbird is set during a changing and developing time in the United States. The Great Depression, which started in 1929, changed the way of life for many people in the 30’s, including characters in this novel. During this time, the old notions of gender roles held fast, but women started to enter the workforce more frequently in order to support their families in a time of economic hardship. Women had also recently gained the right to vote, leveling the playing field of gender disparity. Despite these changes, women were still seen as inferior and weak. These themes of gender expectations are prevalent throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. Both Dill and Jem frequently make comments demeaning women, showing how females are still viewed. When Scout did not want to retrieve the tire out of the Radley’s yard, Jem was not happy with her. “I swear, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifying,” he told her (42). Despite his own terror and
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Although gender roles are much more relaxed than they used to be, we still have expectations and views as we always have. In the novel Scout says, “On pain of being called a g-irl, I spent most of the remaining twilights that summer sitting with Miss Maudie Atkinson on her front porch,” (46). Calling someone a girl as an insult is one thing that has yet to change. When you throw weakly you “throw like a girl”; when a boy is emotional he is called a sissy. While girls are not as blatantly put down as they once were, Scouts concern here could mirror the concern of girls today. On the other hand, it is socially acceptable for women to do many things today that were not socially acceptable a few years back. Most women have, pursue any career they wish, and are allowed to be as outspoken and strong as men have been allowed to be for years. Gender roles in society have changed significantly over time, but we still have a long way to
Although gender roles are much more relaxed than they used to be, we still have expectations and views as we always have. In the novel Scout says, “On pain of being called a g-irl, I spent most of the remaining twilights that summer sitting with Miss Maudie Atkinson on her front porch,” (46). Calling someone a girl as an insult is one thing that has yet to change. When you throw weakly you “throw like a girl”; when a boy is emotional he is called a sissy. While girls are not as blatantly put down as they once were, Scouts concern here could mirror the concern of girls today. On the other hand, it is socially acceptable for women to do many things today that were not socially acceptable a few years back. Most women have, pursue any career they wish, and are allowed to be as outspoken and strong as men have been allowed to be for years. Gender roles in society have changed significantly over time, but we still have a long way to