Femininity In To Kill A Mockingbird

Words: 221
Pages: 1

Harper Lee’s depiction of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird contradicts the stereotype of the ideal southern in the 1930’s because of Scout’s masculine behavior throughout the book. According to Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird by Claudia Durst Johnson, the commonplace southern girl is someone who is “an image of pure femininity”, portraying the quintessential young women as polite and considerate (Johnson 144). Scout’s actions counter the stereotype when she attacks “Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard”, beating him senseless (Lee 30). Since young women of the time were complete with manners and femininity, charging a young boy opposes the stereotype completely. Also, the act is more geared toward male activities for the age of Scout. In