Skip to main content

Why does Scout prefer the world of men to the world in which "fragrant ladies rocked slowly, fanned gently, and drank cool water?"

Scout is a "tomboy" who prefers playing outside and going on adventures to wearing frilly clothing and indulging in many of the feminine pastimes her peers enjoy. She would rather play with the boys and discuss what she perceives to be masculine topics than relate to other girls her age or to older women. In this sense, Scout finds herself able to relate to the theme of being an outsider, which is portrayed throughout "To...

Scout is a "tomboy" who prefers playing outside and going on adventures to wearing frilly clothing and indulging in many of the feminine pastimes her peers enjoy. She would rather play with the boys and discuss what she perceives to be masculine topics than relate to other girls her age or to older women. In this sense, Scout finds herself able to relate to the theme of being an outsider, which is portrayed throughout "To Kill a Mockingbird."


While Scout's wily personality stands on its own, a possible secondary explanation for her preference for the "world of men" is the fact that the two most important people in her life are men. Scout enjoys playing alongside her brother, Jem, and grew up as an accomplice to his wild adventures. On another level, Scout idolizes her father, Atticus, because he has always treated her with respect. While many of the women in Scout's life treat her like a child and assume that she isn't capable of knowing her own mind, Atticus treats Scout and Jem as an equal. As the primary male role model in Scout's life, Atticus represents a world of intellect and maturity that Scout herself prefers to what she sees as the shallow world of the women around her.


Although Scout's description of the ladies around her is somewhat condescending in its own right, her attitude towards the "world of women" is a reaction to a society that restricts her right to self-expression based on gender norms that dictate what a lady should and should not do.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more