To Kill A Mockingbird Feminist Analysis

Harper Lee writes To Kill A Mockingbird staying true to the sexism that took place during the period of the 1930s. At this time, how women were viewed was a paradox. While women were seen as pure, perfect, and dainty, they were also highly disrespected by men, labeled as dumb, and forced to work in the home and bear children. This paradoxical treatment of women was convenient for men who desired to control women and maintain their submissive demeanor. This mistreatment was highly integrated into society and Harper Lee gives both antagonists and protagonists moments in which they disrespect or otherwise criticize femininity. Jem, Scout’s older brother and young boy growing into adolescence, frequently comments on Scout’s gender, at one point
Racism remained prevalent as it had been since slavery was introduced to the United States, however racism was emphasized during this time as people felt their way of life was threatened, their class, wealth, and social standing was declining, and their future was uncertain. Racism had extreme power specifically in the criminal justice system of the United States at this time and court cases were often determined by race alone. In particular, rape cases were controversial because of blatant abuse of power and white men taking advantage of women’s false accusations and role in society to imprison black men. In the 1930s white male juries over convicted black men for the then capital crime of rape. Later, scientific evidence and great decreases in wide spread racism disproved many of these past rulings. While men were the people with power at the time, and had the position of deciding rape cases, women were blamed for these wrongful sentences. Because of this, rape today goes extremely unreported and many trials do not consider evidence or testimonies and immediately declare the suspect innocent. Additionally, there is a powerful stigma around women accusing others of rape or sexual assault now because it is assumed they are lying or exaggerating the truth. This undeniably ties back to when women falsely accused men of rape to protect themselves during the Great Depression. And although they had a conscience during this time—numerous women recanted their testimonies soon after, men went over their heads to convict, and women and black men ultimately suffered the consequences. White men have consistently gained from manipulating the judicial system and in no way intended to help others when charging black men with rape 80 years ago, and by not believing or following through with investigating rape against women today. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee