Harper Lee: Feminist lens
Nelle Harper Lee, the Author of To Kill a Mockingbird, is a truly exceptional woman. Raised in a small town by a mentally ill mother, she dropped out of law school and moved to New York to pursue her dream as an author. She is now widely regarded as one of the greatest literary geniuses as all time. To Kill a Mockingbird, her only published book is standard reading material across the world, and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. She herself won the presidential medal of freedom in 2007 for her contributions to literature. Apart from being a fierce advocate for African American rights she is also a strong feminist. Growing up in the small town of Monroeville Alabama, she quickly developed into a tomboy. She displays her feelings towards societies perception of the female through her written works and interactions in everyday life.
Her life --> Feminist lens:
Her views reflected through her book:
1. Dislikable character Aunt Alexandria personifies stereotypical woman --> Harper Lee disagreed with the role woman were expected to play. She portrays these stereotypical woman as fickle, weak and spoiled
Quote: "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" (Lee 81).
Analysis: Aunt Alexandria puts more effort into how Scout looks than Scout herself, who would incidentally much rather get dirty with Jem than have to jump through the hoops of womanhood that Aunt Alexandria lays out for her. Harper Lee, i believe, agree's with Scout and thinks that woman like Aunt Alexandria are fickle and weak.
2. Scout, the tomboy and female "rebel" is consistently portrayed in a good light --> Harper associated herself with and approved of girls breaking female stereotypes
Quote: "'Scout, i'm telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home - I declare to the lord your' gettin' more like a girl everyday!' 'With that i had no option but to join him'" (Lee 58).
Analysis: The last thing that Scout wants to be called is a girl; Harper Lee is trying to show that girls who defy "girly" stereotypes are the most interesting and lovable.
3. Lovable character Scout is angry to hear and perceives it as unfair that woman cannot serve on a jury --> Harper Lee uses a character loved by her audience to show how she disagrees with the gender inequality in the work world.
Quote: "'For one thing, Miss Maudie can't serve on a jury cause she's a woman-' 'You mean woman in Alabama can't-?' I (Scout) was indignant" (Lee 69).
Analysis: We as readers love and respect Scout and her opinions. I believe Harper Lee shows Scout angered by gender inequality to show us how unfair it is. Indirectly showing us how she herself is angered by it and believes woman should be able to have any profession they want.
Her life --> Feminist lens:
- Protected friend Truman --> Believed girls could defend boys
- Tougher than many boys --> Didn't think girls were the weak ones
- Weak mother --> Didn't want to be like her
- No interest in fashion makeup or dating --> Defied girly stereotypes
- Went to law school --> Tried to follow her Dad's career, didn't want do have a girl profession (nurse, teacher, secretary)
- Never married --> Believed a woman didn't need to rely on a man (she could provide for herself)
Her views reflected through her book:
1. Dislikable character Aunt Alexandria personifies stereotypical woman --> Harper Lee disagreed with the role woman were expected to play. She portrays these stereotypical woman as fickle, weak and spoiled
Quote: "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" (Lee 81).
Analysis: Aunt Alexandria puts more effort into how Scout looks than Scout herself, who would incidentally much rather get dirty with Jem than have to jump through the hoops of womanhood that Aunt Alexandria lays out for her. Harper Lee, i believe, agree's with Scout and thinks that woman like Aunt Alexandria are fickle and weak.
2. Scout, the tomboy and female "rebel" is consistently portrayed in a good light --> Harper associated herself with and approved of girls breaking female stereotypes
Quote: "'Scout, i'm telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home - I declare to the lord your' gettin' more like a girl everyday!' 'With that i had no option but to join him'" (Lee 58).
Analysis: The last thing that Scout wants to be called is a girl; Harper Lee is trying to show that girls who defy "girly" stereotypes are the most interesting and lovable.
3. Lovable character Scout is angry to hear and perceives it as unfair that woman cannot serve on a jury --> Harper Lee uses a character loved by her audience to show how she disagrees with the gender inequality in the work world.
Quote: "'For one thing, Miss Maudie can't serve on a jury cause she's a woman-' 'You mean woman in Alabama can't-?' I (Scout) was indignant" (Lee 69).
Analysis: We as readers love and respect Scout and her opinions. I believe Harper Lee shows Scout angered by gender inequality to show us how unfair it is. Indirectly showing us how she herself is angered by it and believes woman should be able to have any profession they want.