Aunt Alexandra Changes

What do you think of when you hear 1960s? Would you think of the Beatles or perhaps Muhammed Ali? What about segregation or a new role for women? Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird was published during a time of rapid change and was well received to due its views of the society. In the novel, Harper Lee advocates for a change in the idea of a “typical lady” and the way minorities are viewed and treated. The narrator, Scout, is a strong willed, adventurous girl that just likes to have fun. But, according to society, women are supposed to stay home and wear dresses. Society, or in this case Aunt Alexandra, pressure girls to change and become “ladies”. Aunt Alexandra represents the stereotypical woman and moves in to protect the Finch’s reputation by trying to right all their wrongs. This includes turning scout into a lady. Aunt Alexandra’s focus on Scout’s appearance displays just one minute facet of life in which society pressures women. Alexandra was “fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches.” She also adds that Scout “wasn’t supposed to be doing things that required pants.” This type of coercion is detestable. Everyone is unique and those differences should not only be recognized but celebrated. Forcing people to change to fit the standard is like putting a square puzzle piece in a triangular hole. The only way to work is to break the peace and in doing they lose their individuality. And yet again another mockingbird falls. Perhaps worse than the pressure women put on each
As people are dying because of race and women of every country are oppressed. The truth is that no matter how different we are, we are all people. Black, white, male, female it doesn’t matter. Prejudice and negligence are raising their rifles and aiming at mockingbirds. The only question is, what are you going to