Tuesday, October 28, 2014

What is a good quote that shows how Aunt Alexandra pressures Scout to follow gender norms?

"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." (Lee 108)


Aunt Alexandra pressures Scout to be a "Southern Bell" by condemning her for wearing "breeches." Alexandra is constantly making Scout aware of her unladylike appearance and attitude. Aunt Alexandra is the quintessential Southern lady who values social affairs...


"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." (Lee 108)



Aunt Alexandra pressures Scout to be a "Southern Bell" by condemning her for wearing "breeches." Alexandra is constantly making Scout aware of her unladylike appearance and attitude. Aunt Alexandra is the quintessential Southern lady who values social affairs and feminity. According to Aunt Alexandra, Scout needs to stop wearing overalls and begin to wear dresses like a stereotypical Southern female. Alexandra supports the idea that females should only partake in certain activities and views Scout with contempt for her "tomboyish" ways. Southern females were expected to be docile, religiously pious, well-mannered individuals who remained indoors and isolated from physical activities. Scout is the polar opposite of a meek, socially conscious Southern female. Scout is a rough young girl who enjoys fighting and playing outdoor games. Scout's father allowed her to play with the boys her entire life, and Aunt Alexandra takes on the task of transforming Scout into a "proper" lady.

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