A growing business, the Ferdinand News employed many local residents including one in particular. As one of the first female linotypes of her time, Mary Ann Potter, did exceptional actions throughout her lifetime; however, having achieved many of her greatest accomplishments at a young age, Mary Ann passed down characteristics that she valued most to her family. One core value that sticks out is her will to work hard. She portrayed this value by diligently learning how to operate the linotype machine, making her one of the few women able to accomplish this feat.…
Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra’s beliefs are a major cause of conflict throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This conflict is not only between Calpurnia, Atticus Finch's’ housekeeper, and Alexandra, Atticus Finch’s sister and the aunt of his children. Furthermore, their moral differences create conflict between themselves and other characters involved in the plot. However, these two important characters aren’t only different. Calpurnia and Alexandra have many similarities, as well. Calpurnia and Aunt Alexandra have similarities and differences in their moral beliefs, their role in the Finch house, and their character traits.…
Bingham would describe Daisy as a somewhat typical rich woman. She would also say that it is somewhat of an anomaly that she is aware of her precarious situation. She knows that her power and abilities in life are limited by her social status when she says that she would wish for her daughter to be "... a beautiful fool..." it must not only be very discouraging but also hurtful to realize that the system and situation the keeps Daisy and all rich women well dressed and well positioned in society is also a system that subjugates them. Bingham would however disagree with the wish to not be aware of this situation. She insists that women empower themselves and always try to resist this system of domination because to be…
Stereotypes are generalized traits that people assume about a group of people. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird stereotypes are used frequently with how different families act, and also how different races appear to others. In the book stereotypes are important when Harper Lee makes the Ewells portray the stereotype for “white trash”. During the trial for the raping of Mayella Ewell this becomes very clear when she writes, “ No truant officers could keep their numerous offspring in school; no public health officer could free them from congenital defects, various worms, and the diseases indigenous to filthy surroundings.”(Lee 227). Lee made this family the stereotypical “white trash” family because it shows the true…
Aunt Baba shows she believes in Adeline when she tells her, “You have something priceless inside you which must not be wasted. I've always known that” (122). Aunt Baba believes that Adeline is truly special and one-of-a-kind, and that she can use her talent for great things. In addition, Aunt Baba shows that she always has and always will believe in Adeline’s outstanding academic abilities. Adeline’s aunt displays her support for Adeline in many ways. “She took the key from a gold chain around her neck and placed my certificate underneath her jade bracelet, pearl necklace, and diamond watch, as if my award were also some precious jewel impossible to replace” (2). Aunt Baba thinks that Adeline, and what she does, are so important that they are some of the greatest treasures she has ever come across. She also helps Adeline to recognize what she believes to be Adeline’s amazing brilliance and talent. Adeline was very grateful for the support she received, and would have had a very hard life if her grandfather and aunt weren't there for…
Second, she acts as a counterpoint to Aunt Alexandra. In the previous example, Cal scolds Scout for embarrassing Walter at lunch. Cal emphasizes to Scout that while she might be of a higher social class than Walter, she still must respect his wishes.…
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, people have conflicts about how they should behave due to the stereotypes of women and pressure from the role of women. Scout is a Tom-boy; however, she also experiences heavy pressure from the role of women. She starts to consider about the things she needs to do. She starts questioning herself whether she should act as her true self, or act as a traditional “ good girl ”. After the judge of Tom Robinson’s case, Atticus ginned, “ I doubt it we’d ever get a complete case tried-the ladies’d be interrupting to ask questions. “ This is really shocking, because Atticus is one of the most reasonable characters in this novel, but he still shows his stereotypes of women to her children. In fact, both Jem and Scout…
Aunt Alexandra shows that family is a necessary evil with her interactions with Scout. When Aunt Alexandra arrives at the Finch’s home to stay with them, Scout loathes her since she wants to change Scout and wants her to be more refined. Scout also despises her aunt since she thinks that Atticus is not raising Scout properly and offers to help her be more lady-like. Even though Scout may not realize this, Aunt Alexandra is strict towards her because she wants her to be prepared for the challenges she may face in life. Aunt Alexandra is not only trying to teach Scout to be more modest, she is teaching her to be more social. Aunt Alexandra said to Scout: “Speak to your cousin Lily’... ‘Who?’ Your cousin Lily Brooke,’ said Aunt Alexandra. ‘She our cousin? I didn’t know that.’ Aunt Alexandra managed to smile in a way that conveyed a gentle apology to Cousin Lily and firm disapproval to me” (176). Aunt Alexandra is trying to teach Scout that you can talk to people without being rude and offensive. Aunt Alexandra taught Jem and Scout, but mostly Scout is to act more refined. At the beginning of the novel, Aunt Alexandra was not excepting to the Finch family. As the novel came to an end she (Aunt Alexandra) showed that she is more accepting of her family “She brought me something to put on, and had I thought about it then, I would have never let her forget it: “Put these on, darling,” she said, handing me the garments she most despised” (354). That action showed that people do change people. At the Missionary Circle tea, Aunt Alexandra demonstrates how to be lady-like when she heard the news on Tom Robinson and she came back and pretend like nothing happens. Most importantly they learned to respect their family because you should always be by your family's side and respect their…
When introducing Sister Alexandra to his children and he want his children to follow rule and regulation set by Alexandra as a brother he does not want to hurt his sister, so he tries to convince his kids to be patient and do what as she says. The author in the novel “To kill a Mocking Bird” narrates the lines by Mr. Atticus as, “Your aunt’s doing me a favor as well as you all. I can’t stay here all day with you and the summer’s going to be a hot one” (146). Such statement reflects Mr. Atticus have a good feeling for Alexandra as she come to stay with his family to make Scout a better lady. Alexandra wants Atticus’s family to live a life according to her way but it would not possible as family is already going through with many ups and downs. In such situation, Atticus starts to take stand against her sister obstinate ideas. Atticus also able to realize that Jem get under influenced by Alexandra and now he try to over rule his younger sister…
In Gilead there were many women that were willing to be Aunts; either for traditional values or for the benefits they would require. They would be given a position of command over other woman. Even Serena Joy, who has no power in the world of men, wants to feel that she is in control over something, her household and her tyranny over Offred, to make her feel important, even though her power doesn't really exist; “She likes to keep him waiting”. Serena Joy also wants to have control over the handmaid; “if I get trouble, I'll give troube back.” She jealously guards what little power she has and wields it…
In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Aunt Alexandra’s pride is depicted by "Old Family" and "Finch Pride", which are reflected in her conversations and attitudes. Aunt Alexandra is concerned with tradition, that is "the way things should be", and social reputation. So-called "Old Family" pride is essential to her. As a foundation of Maycomb’s history, family pride and traditional notions of familial legacy are essential. The way one acts is reflective of their family status. Aunt Alexandra states this to families often. "It just goes to show you all Penfield women are flighty."(172) Being able to label families in a particular manner, which could be offensive, is a part of this construction of family identity. When Aunt Alexandra believes…
In truth, there are many different ways to be a “lady” by society’s standards. It could entail being born into an old and powerful family, or it could simply require you have dignity and empathy, regardless of social standing. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird features two very different women who have very different ladylike qualities. Throughout the book, those two women help shape Scout’s (the protagonist’s) childhood. Possessing glaringly different personalities, Scout nevertheless finds something to learn from each of them. Even though Scout was initially antagonistic with her aunt, she comes to admire Alexandra and learns from her to do what is needed and rise to the occasion with grace and dignity after Alexandra successfully demonstrates…
Her persistence in working to be accepted by her family, and her ability to maintain positivity throughout the challenges she, her brother, and her father have had to face, make her emotionally courageous. Scout and Aunt Alexandra tend to frequently disagree about the way in which Scout acts, and her interests in the social aspects of life. After her aunt scolds her about being a lady Scout says to herself, “Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life,” displaying that although it is difficult for Scout to help her Aunt understand that she is different from a typical girl, her father will always accept her decisions. Even though she was against it at first, she realized that it is not sometimes beneficial to be a “lady.” After Aunt Alexandra returns to the tea party following the word of news of Tom Robinson’s death, Scout states, “After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I,” showing that not only does she respect the responsibilities as a lady, but also recognizes the powerful women in her life who have made a difference, such as her aunt. Although Scout made it clear that she was capable of…
In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, ladies begin to tune in the thoughts of accomplishing the American Dream. The female characters, Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle, all speak to the different implications of the American Dream. Daisy's quality is that of an unattainable princess. Much like the American dream, she draws, feels " comfortable enough " (Fitzgerald 95) to be managed, has all the earmarks of being finished, and her voice is enticing, "full of money" (Fitzgerald 125), musical, and baiting. Myrtle is an illustration of what a lady is not like. She is voracious, narrow minded, and shallow, with no pride for her womanhood. She offers her body to the most elevated bidder in her pursuit for the materialistic longs for cash and power.…
In a criticism of Parker’s Ladies of the Corridor, Marion Meade writes that Parker’s philosophy that resonates throughout the play is that “[women] should be better trained, adjusted to live life without a man, a problem that she herself had yet to resolve” (Meade 350). This demonstrates not only that Parker didn’t trust men, but also that she didn’t trust romance in and of itself. She shows that marriage is crippling and stifles expression when Mildred laments about her inability to use impractical skills that marriage and the pursuit of marriage has given her, saying, “No, no fooling, what can I do? Oh, I do know. I can arrange flowers. I'm really a whiz at that” (Parker 59). The pursuit of romance, Parker argues, leaves little time for women to truly improve themselves and pursue their passions. Today, although romantic expectations for women have gradually become more comparable to those suffered by men, both sexes are bound to expectations of the development of their domestic skills, which often limit their time expendable for the exploration of other abilities. For example, women are still often expected to have a knack for interior decorating, or men are expected to be able to repair pipes and other assorted things around the house. Moreover, in another criticism by Ann Fox says that another character, Lulu “eventually reverts to old patterns, particularly trapped by the rhetoric of romantic love, one that would have her reattach herself to a new man, to make herself ‘useful’ again” (Fox 13). Instead of rejecting the socially instilled ideals of romance, she is influenced by her friend Connie to, despite all warnings, completely surrender herself to another person. In order to make herself - as Fox words it - “useful,” she must conform to societal expectations…