Essay On The Role Of Women In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the 1930’s, at the height of the Great Depression. Historical criticism is where a book is examined while considering what was going on at that time in the world and the author’s life. It is important to look at works of literature this way, because, our world is quickly evolving, and ideologies often change. This must be taken into consideration, because something may be the social norm at one time, but quickly become repulsive a few years down the road. At this time, women had the right to vote, but they were still viewed as only housewives. Harper Lee accurately portrays thr roles of women in the 1930’s in her book To Kill a Mockingbird through her depiction of the characters Aunt Alexandra, Calpurnia, and Miss Maudie. One example of an accurate portrayal of women in the 1930’s is Aunt Alexandra. She is shown in To Kill a Mockingbird as being the prime example of
Many unmarried women during the Great Depression chose to work, but a great many also chose to stay unemployed. Miss Maudie is a prime example of a woman who chose to not work, instead focusing on her garden. Historically, in the 1930’s the unmarried women who chose to stay at home often spent time trying to make ends meet. It was never stated in the book as to how Miss Maudie was able to support herself, but she had to have gotten the money in one way or another.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee accurately depicts the roles of women in the 1930’s. While it can be argued that To Kill a Mockingbird inaccurately portrays the roles of women in the 1930’s by . She shows the differences between the social classes, races, and different statuses of women. While these standards may not be relevant today, they were the norm in the 1930’s. Harper Lee described women in the 1930’s accurately through her depiction of Aunt Alexandra, Calpurnia, and Miss