This is when a person is afraid of another person, thing, or idea. For example, in the trial when Mayella is being interrogated, she refuses to stand up for herself and tell the truth because she is afraid of her father. Atticus asks Mayella, “’who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?’ No answer… Mayella’s face was a mixture of terror and fury.” (251) This shows fear because Mayella’s lies are a result of fear of her father. This shows female power because Mayella loses control of her own freedom of speech when she lies to the court to protect her father, even though it was him who beat Mayella. The themes of female power and fear are therefore related because when one might fear an abuser, a woman may lose power and respect when she decides to not stand up for herself. This is in contrast to Scout, who is willing to say whatever she wants despite the consequences. Hence the theme of female power can be seen through
This is when a person is afraid of another person, thing, or idea. For example, in the trial when Mayella is being interrogated, she refuses to stand up for herself and tell the truth because she is afraid of her father. Atticus asks Mayella, “’who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?’ No answer… Mayella’s face was a mixture of terror and fury.” (251) This shows fear because Mayella’s lies are a result of fear of her father. This shows female power because Mayella loses control of her own freedom of speech when she lies to the court to protect her father, even though it was him who beat Mayella. The themes of female power and fear are therefore related because when one might fear an abuser, a woman may lose power and respect when she decides to not stand up for herself. This is in contrast to Scout, who is willing to say whatever she wants despite the consequences. Hence the theme of female power can be seen through