FEMINIST IN TO KILL THE MOCKINGBIRD

FEMINIST THEORY ANALYSIS OF PLOT

An example of the feminist theory is found in chapter nine of the book.

On page seventy five Scout nearly starts a fight at school with another
classmate named Cecil Jacobs after Cecil insults her father. Scout's father
Atticus is a lawyer who is defending a black man and Tom Robinson,
therefore his recieving criticism from everyone in the town.

In the school playground, Cecil declares, “‘Scout Finch’s daddy defends

niggers'" (Lee 75).

This event relates to the feminist theory because Scout is moving against how
women are usually expected to act in the 1960’s. By initiating a fight with
another boy. Scout, a girl, is acting in an un-lady like manner. A lady would
originally have taken the insult and not pay much attention to the boy(Cecil),
however, in this instance Scout defies her gender and takes the role of a male
by initiating a fight with Jacobs.

Another great example of the feminist theory in To Kill A Mockingbird's

plot is in chapter six. On page fifty two Jem ridicules Scout for acting like a girl
when she refuses to participate in the, ‘Boo Radley Game’. Basically, the kids,
Jem, Dill, and Scout, try to play a game in which they imitate the actions and
life of supposedly haunted man, Boo Radley. The boys do not let Scout
participate in the 'dangerous' game as she is a female.

Jem exclaims, "‘Scout, I’m telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go
home-I declare to the lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl everyday’” (Lee 52).

This is another example of gender inequality because Scout is being

discriminated against for acting like a girl even though she is one. What this
shows is that in the era, being girl was not necessarily the best thing to be.
Women were perceived as being of a lower class and holding little to none
value in society. At that time, to be called a girl would even be taken as an
insult.

There is one final example that could be shared that is relevant to the plot of
Lee's novel. It is seen on page ninety two, when everyone is in the courtroom.
The town of Maycomb is present at the courthouse to view the trial of the
accused African-American rapist, Tom Robinson. As the victim of the so-
called rape begins to cry and weep, and emotions run at a high level. The
judge announces that there has been a request for all women to leave the
courtroom.

"There has been a request, that this courtroom be cleared of spectators, or at

least of women and children" (Lee 92).

This is demoralizing and in a way can be sexist

because the fact that this request was made shows that
people don't think women are fit to hear about the subject
of rape. Furthermore, the judge is implying that men are
fitter than women as they are allowed to watch the trial but
not the woman. In retrospect, this decision by the judge
was utterly wrong and truly discriminating against woman,
who are surely capable of viewing any case a man can.