Social Categories In To Kill A Mockingbird
How would one feel if their rights were abused based on their race, class, or even gender? The book To Kill a Mockingbird is written by Harper Lee in 1960. This book focuses on a trial in Maycomb that talks about the social categories found there. Race, class, and gender are huge categories that even affect people today in 2016 in America. Therefore, in Maycomb, one can observe the social categories such as race, class, and gender and how they can affect such a small town.
First, race is a key determining factor in Maycomb in how one is treated in their community. In To Kill a Mockingbird, one can immediately observe how one is treated in their community. In Tom Robinson’s trial, Mr. Gilmer acts very disrespectful to Tom in his cross examination …show more content…
Men controlled the family and finances, but women were expected to stay home and take care of the house. In Maycomb, this can be seen very clearly. Women were supposed to take care of their kids, and one can perceive this when Aunt Alexandra comes to help take care of Jem and Scout. Women were expected to act like the traditional Southern woman which means to act like everybody else and follow the rules. For example Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to wear dresses and play tea instead of wearing jeans and acting like a boy. Another way this is seen, is when Scout and Jem are talking to Atticus about legal rights. Atticus explains to them that women are not allowed to serve on juries and Scout is incredulous. It quotes, “‘For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she’s a woman-’ ‘You mean women in Alabama can’t-?’ I was indignant” (224). This quote shows how women are not granted all of their rights to them, because during this time period, men could only serve on juries. This angers Scout and one can notice that it is portrayed that women need to be allowed to do this. From this, it is clear that women should not cross their boundary. In fact, it is mainly women who keep each other in check, making sure that they all stay in the social confines constructed for them. The consequence of this is ridicule from women and then that woman will become a social outcast. In conclusion,
First, race is a key determining factor in Maycomb in how one is treated in their community. In To Kill a Mockingbird, one can immediately observe how one is treated in their community. In Tom Robinson’s trial, Mr. Gilmer acts very disrespectful to Tom in his cross examination …show more content…
Men controlled the family and finances, but women were expected to stay home and take care of the house. In Maycomb, this can be seen very clearly. Women were supposed to take care of their kids, and one can perceive this when Aunt Alexandra comes to help take care of Jem and Scout. Women were expected to act like the traditional Southern woman which means to act like everybody else and follow the rules. For example Aunt Alexandra wants Scout to wear dresses and play tea instead of wearing jeans and acting like a boy. Another way this is seen, is when Scout and Jem are talking to Atticus about legal rights. Atticus explains to them that women are not allowed to serve on juries and Scout is incredulous. It quotes, “‘For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she’s a woman-’ ‘You mean women in Alabama can’t-?’ I was indignant” (224). This quote shows how women are not granted all of their rights to them, because during this time period, men could only serve on juries. This angers Scout and one can notice that it is portrayed that women need to be allowed to do this. From this, it is clear that women should not cross their boundary. In fact, it is mainly women who keep each other in check, making sure that they all stay in the social confines constructed for them. The consequence of this is ridicule from women and then that woman will become a social outcast. In conclusion,