Of The Time:
Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill a Mocking Bird” gives readers a unique insight into the concepts of gender and race in southern America in the 1930s from the perspective of an innocent child, whose values and attitudes have already begun to be shaped by the society in which she lives. Lee provides sophisticated commentary on the treatment of African-American people during this time, as well as portraying the patriarchal gender roles and expectations of the period and the effect they have on society. The novel is written from the perspective of a young girl, Scout, who matures from six to eight years old over the novels duration. Her understanding of race and gender is significantly altered in this time period both by her close family and friends as well as by the expectations and values of the society in which she lives. The 1930s, in which the book is set, is a period in American history characterised by racial discrimination and tension, especially in the southern states, of which Alabama is one. African-American people were often treated with hostility and violence and were stereotyped as being untrustworthy, irrational and of lesser value than white people. It was common for segregation between races to occur and African Americans were often treated in a derogatory manner. The penetration of these views into society is shown by the author, in that even the youngest people have been influenced by society so thoroughly that, even though not maliciously, they use racial slurs and stereotypes in day to day life: Jem, I ain 't ever heard of a nigger snowman (72). In powerful contrast to this cultural norm Lee introduces the father figure of Atticus Finch who juxtaposes society’s views about race. Finch is not hostile towards African-American people and goes against societal norms by defending a African-American man in court. He receives much ridicule for this: Your fathers no better than the nigger trash he works for! (171), but considers this a vital part of his job, despite knowing the likely outcome of the trial based on the racial stereotypes of the time. Finch’s moral stand is, however, of the minority in society, as showed by Lee’s continued commentary on racial relations throughout the novel. The author, through her text provides insight into the outright hostility and scepticism towards the African-American people and effectively demonstrates the strong stereotypes that surrounded the African-American people: Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger 's mentality to have no plan … Nigger always comes out in 'em (241). Overall, Lee provides insightful and complex commentary on the racial conduct of the 1930s through demonstration of the harsh stereotypes that African-American people had to endure, as well the beginning of the change of …show more content…
However, in many ways sexism and racism is still very prevalent in popular culture today, however it is less evidently displayed than in Harper Lee’s novel. Becca Fitzpatrick’s novel “Hush, Hush” features many sexist undertones which heavily influence the youth of today. The idea of the strong, forceful male lead protecting the powerless and feeble girl: You could have blocked me out. I couldn 't have touched your mind without your permission. I reached in, and you never resisted. You were weak. You were easy (80) is a strong theme in this novel which aligns with Lee’s ideals of women is the 1930s. The glorification of stalking and emotional manipulation in this novel I was tired of admiring your legs from a distance (30) also sets a dangerous precedent for young girls to romanticise behaviour that could prove dangerous to their wellbeing and evidently displays the form of modern sexism our youth are exposed to today, and its alarming parallels to the sexism of the 1930s as displayed in Lee’s …show more content…
By assuming racism and sexism is a “product of time” assumes that the present is undoubtable superior to the past and that society progresses in a linear trend. However, this is disproportionately complimentary to the present, which has by no means changed the stigma around race or gender in our popular culture, and continues to produce material based on generalised stereotypes of large and diverse groups. Overall, Harper Lee has provided a sophisticated commentary on race and gender in 1930s southern America by providing a clear illustration of the prejudices of the time, which by no means has present society
Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill a Mocking Bird” gives readers a unique insight into the concepts of gender and race in southern America in the 1930s from the perspective of an innocent child, whose values and attitudes have already begun to be shaped by the society in which she lives. Lee provides sophisticated commentary on the treatment of African-American people during this time, as well as portraying the patriarchal gender roles and expectations of the period and the effect they have on society. The novel is written from the perspective of a young girl, Scout, who matures from six to eight years old over the novels duration. Her understanding of race and gender is significantly altered in this time period both by her close family and friends as well as by the expectations and values of the society in which she lives. The 1930s, in which the book is set, is a period in American history characterised by racial discrimination and tension, especially in the southern states, of which Alabama is one. African-American people were often treated with hostility and violence and were stereotyped as being untrustworthy, irrational and of lesser value than white people. It was common for segregation between races to occur and African Americans were often treated in a derogatory manner. The penetration of these views into society is shown by the author, in that even the youngest people have been influenced by society so thoroughly that, even though not maliciously, they use racial slurs and stereotypes in day to day life: Jem, I ain 't ever heard of a nigger snowman (72). In powerful contrast to this cultural norm Lee introduces the father figure of Atticus Finch who juxtaposes society’s views about race. Finch is not hostile towards African-American people and goes against societal norms by defending a African-American man in court. He receives much ridicule for this: Your fathers no better than the nigger trash he works for! (171), but considers this a vital part of his job, despite knowing the likely outcome of the trial based on the racial stereotypes of the time. Finch’s moral stand is, however, of the minority in society, as showed by Lee’s continued commentary on racial relations throughout the novel. The author, through her text provides insight into the outright hostility and scepticism towards the African-American people and effectively demonstrates the strong stereotypes that surrounded the African-American people: Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger 's mentality to have no plan … Nigger always comes out in 'em (241). Overall, Lee provides insightful and complex commentary on the racial conduct of the 1930s through demonstration of the harsh stereotypes that African-American people had to endure, as well the beginning of the change of …show more content…
However, in many ways sexism and racism is still very prevalent in popular culture today, however it is less evidently displayed than in Harper Lee’s novel. Becca Fitzpatrick’s novel “Hush, Hush” features many sexist undertones which heavily influence the youth of today. The idea of the strong, forceful male lead protecting the powerless and feeble girl: You could have blocked me out. I couldn 't have touched your mind without your permission. I reached in, and you never resisted. You were weak. You were easy (80) is a strong theme in this novel which aligns with Lee’s ideals of women is the 1930s. The glorification of stalking and emotional manipulation in this novel I was tired of admiring your legs from a distance (30) also sets a dangerous precedent for young girls to romanticise behaviour that could prove dangerous to their wellbeing and evidently displays the form of modern sexism our youth are exposed to today, and its alarming parallels to the sexism of the 1930s as displayed in Lee’s …show more content…
By assuming racism and sexism is a “product of time” assumes that the present is undoubtable superior to the past and that society progresses in a linear trend. However, this is disproportionately complimentary to the present, which has by no means changed the stigma around race or gender in our popular culture, and continues to produce material based on generalised stereotypes of large and diverse groups. Overall, Harper Lee has provided a sophisticated commentary on race and gender in 1930s southern America by providing a clear illustration of the prejudices of the time, which by no means has present society