Why Scout Has to be a Lady, Miss Maudie Can’t Be On the Jury, and Maycomb Is Run By Men

“Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore, I should be a ray of sunshine in my father's lonely life” (Harper Lee 108). Scout’s Aunt Alexandra comes to live with her the summer Scout is eight, in order to provide a female influence for her. Scout is opposed to many of Aunt Alexandra’s views on how she should behave, and doesn’t want to become a lady. As Scout learns about her expected role in society, she also learns about other woman’s roles, and how women aren’t allowed to do many of the things that men do. Miss Maudie, one of Scout’s role models, isn’t allowed to be on the jury because of her sex. Scout is appaled when she learns this, just as she is when she discovers the many other injustices of the world she lives in. Maycomb is a small, sleepy town in the 1930’s, with very traditional ideas and values. Sexism effects Scout’s future, the women of Maycomb, and how the town is run.

Sexism greatly affects Scout's future in To Kill A Mockingbird. Jem frequently tells her that she "acts more like a girl every day," and means this as an insult. Both Scout and Jem want Scout to act more like a traditional boy in their town, and any sign of fear, vulnerability, or a supposedly feminine trait is looked down upon. Scout is expected to grow up, become a lady, marry, and start a family. She should wear dresses, not overalls. She should learn to cook and clean. If she does get a full educatio...

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... President. Yes, only 16.8% of large law-firm partners are women, only one out of seven engineering students is female, and only 4.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. Yes, women still make 77 cents for every man’s dollar. Yes, we still have countless issues regarding women’s rights that are debated and discussed every day, such as equal pay, abortion rights, maternity leave, and abuse (which ties into another aspect of this novel). However, this country has made a lot of progress since towns and cities everywhere were run solely by men. It has grown since Scout and Jem learned that women weren’t allowed to be on juries. The people, the law, and the viewpoints of many have expanded and become more inclusive. Perhaps, Scout decided to take her future into her own hands, became an outspoken, strong woman, and wasn’t afraid to break a few of her hometown’s glass ceilings.