To Kill A Mockingbird Gender Equality Essay

Harper Lee’s classic American novel To Kill A Mockingbird has been taught for decades, and this is because it does not shy away from the issues that have plagued humanity since its very beginning. Lee focuses on race, class, and morality in her novel, but the issue that always stood out to me is gender. While gender is definitely not the most prevalent issue in the book, it is the most prevalent issue for the main character, Scout. Scout’s perspective in this novel, along with other characters, developes the issue of gender into a very complex and varying social construct. In the novel, there are two main characters that represent either side of the gender argument in Maycomb. These characters are Aunt Alexandra, a strong believer in classic
gender and family roles, and Scout, who challenges these roles. Aunt Alexandra is a symbol of Southern ideals: keeping a proper family, having a strong family name, and being a lady. Throughout the novel she tries to teach Scout her ways, but Scout is never turned over to the other side. Instead, Scout is constantly challenging gender norms, not wearing dresses, getting into fights and playing outside. Due to this, she is constantly receiving sexist remarks from many people in the community, most often her brother Jem. However, Scout does not let this get to her and continues doing what she wants to do. Aunt Alexandra and Scout are on opposite sides of the gender argument, and while I have a predisposition with Scout’s side of the argument, I find my beliefs both challenged and affirmed due to the novel. Scout reaffirms everything I have believed before, that the genders are inherently equal, and that one doesn't need to conform to traditional societal gender norms. Meanwhile, Aunt Alexandra is the exact opposite, yet she is still a successful, strong, and respected women. When Aunt Alexandra tries to get Scout to be more ladylike, Scout never can be convinced or turned over. These two characters and their interactions have both challenged and affirmed my past beliefs, but since Scout can not be changed by Aunt Alexandra, I find my beliefs to be overall reaffirmed.
I have held these gender role and equality beliefs for awhile now, even doing a project on how saying “like a girl” should not be derogatory in middle school.
I remember being so scared to give that presentation, because others may not have agreed with what I had to say. Scout in this novel helps me to have more courage to stand up to this issue, as she did so in a time where it was much less accepted. If I did that presentation now, I would be much more confident, and that is partly because of Scout’s example.
In the years following this presentation, I have discovered that I am a real advocate for gender equality. I believe in equal pay for equal work, and in equality in general for all people. Scout, in this book also gives me the inspiration to keep fighting for what I believe in.
The book To Kill A Mockingbird has been taught for decades, and for good reason. It teaches of many issues one might not be exposed to in their life, and lets one come up with how they will personally deal with the adversity. Personally, the issue of gender in the novel resonated with me the most, due to Scout’s character and actions. To Kill A Mockingbird has helped me to learn how to deal with the gender issue, and while it needs steps taken on a global scale, I can begin by speaking out against the issues in my own
community.