People fear what they do not understand, and in “Half-Hanged Mary” this lack of understanding and patience is what ultimately leads to the act of lynching. Not understanding that some women can be strong and independent, the men lashed out feeling threatened. Women now and then are pushed under in forms of inequality. Although not nearly as harsh as during the time period of “Half-Hanged Mary”. Women are still forced into a world of inequality. For every dollar a man makes, a woman in the same job is paid seventy nine
