Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
Harper Lee’s Characters Refuse to Fit Stereotypes
In Harper Lee’s, full name Nelle Lee’s, novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, published in 1960, there are many instances where characters challenge stereotypes or work to help defy them. Jem, for instance, is a character who does not act how a typical boy is supposed to, challenge the stereotypes of males. Another example is Atticus, a lawyer and the father of the narrator. Lastly, Boo Radley, a man prejudged by the entire town, ends up being the biggest hero in Harper Lee’s book. In summary, Jem, Atticus, and Boo Radley are all people who contribute to the novel’s theme of challenge stereotypes and prejudice.
Despite the stereotype is that all boys are unemotional and are supposed to act a certain way, Jem Finch is a boy who seems to act more feminine than he does masculine. In the novel, Harper Lee writes, “Jem was twelve. He was difficult to live with, inconsistent, moody” (Harper Lee, 61). This quote shows how he acts moody and enjoys being by himself with his thoughts. Of course, this challenges the male stereotype, adding to the theme of prejudice in Harper Lee’s novel.
Atticus is the father of Scout and Jem, and is the lawyer who took on the case of Tom Robinson in the rising action of the novel, a man on trial simply because of his …show more content…
Jem is a boy who doesn't act like a boy, showing us that it is okay for a guy to be emotional. Atticus is a single father who through his job as a lawyer works to help a black man accused of a rape he didn't commit. Lastly, the neighborhood “crazy” fellow, Boo Radley, shows that stories and rumors do not make a person, the true person can be totally different than how other people say. Everyone can be racists, but these three characters and others helped bring together a story that helped change
In Harper Lee’s, full name Nelle Lee’s, novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, published in 1960, there are many instances where characters challenge stereotypes or work to help defy them. Jem, for instance, is a character who does not act how a typical boy is supposed to, challenge the stereotypes of males. Another example is Atticus, a lawyer and the father of the narrator. Lastly, Boo Radley, a man prejudged by the entire town, ends up being the biggest hero in Harper Lee’s book. In summary, Jem, Atticus, and Boo Radley are all people who contribute to the novel’s theme of challenge stereotypes and prejudice.
Despite the stereotype is that all boys are unemotional and are supposed to act a certain way, Jem Finch is a boy who seems to act more feminine than he does masculine. In the novel, Harper Lee writes, “Jem was twelve. He was difficult to live with, inconsistent, moody” (Harper Lee, 61). This quote shows how he acts moody and enjoys being by himself with his thoughts. Of course, this challenges the male stereotype, adding to the theme of prejudice in Harper Lee’s novel.
Atticus is the father of Scout and Jem, and is the lawyer who took on the case of Tom Robinson in the rising action of the novel, a man on trial simply because of his …show more content…
Jem is a boy who doesn't act like a boy, showing us that it is okay for a guy to be emotional. Atticus is a single father who through his job as a lawyer works to help a black man accused of a rape he didn't commit. Lastly, the neighborhood “crazy” fellow, Boo Radley, shows that stories and rumors do not make a person, the true person can be totally different than how other people say. Everyone can be racists, but these three characters and others helped bring together a story that helped change