Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has sparked much controversy and analysis on the main theme of prejudice and racism. However, the novel also depicts gender prejudices and stereotypes of the time. Set in the 1930s in the small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird reveals the common gender inequality for women that occurred during this time period. Indeed, social standards for women are best demonstrated by the behaviors and personalities of the novel's female characters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In contrast to Alexandra's portrayal of the pure Southern lady, the novel's main character and narrator, Jean Louise Finch is a six-year-old girl who often swears and is nicknamed Scout. She doesn't fit the traditional mold of a young woman and her standards of femininity. Scout's mother died when she was very young and she barely remembers anything about her. Without a maternal and feminine role model, Scout has become a tomboy who always wears overalls and muddy shoes. She does not like to wear clothes and is rambunctious like her older brother, Jem, and their friend, Dill, with whom she spends most of her time playing outside and fighting with each other. As boys grow up they begin to exclude Scout, and she is often told that acting like a girl is undesirable. For example, Jem tells her, "Scout, I tell you one last time, shut your mouth or go home: I declare to the Lord that you grow more like a girl every day" in chapter six. Likewise, Scout's lack of traditional costumes and women's clothing is often met with dismay by the ladies of Maycomb. For example, in chapter 24, Aunt Alexandra and her missionary circle paused in their meeting for refreshments, Miss Stephanie told Scout, "you won't get very far until you start wearing dresses more often." Likewise, Mrs. Dubose turned to Scout and exclaimed, “what are you doing in that suit?” You should wear a dress and a tank top, young lady! You'll grow up waiting tables if someone doesn't change your ways.' in chapter 11 which indicates that being a waitress is not a suitable occupation for a southern woman. In fact, Jem goes on to tell Scout, "Don't pay her any attention, just keep your head up and be a gentleman," as if acting like a man is more valuable than acting like a woman. While Scout does not fit the stereotypical mold of a Southern woman due to her tomboyish behavior and clothing, Mayella Ewell is portrayed as unladylike due to her social status and the fact that she has impure feelings for Tom Robinson, l black man who helped her around the house. Mayella is alone and helpless due to a combination of her gender and her poverty. Like all Ewells, she has no education and is cut off from respectable white society. However, Harper Lee makes it clear that, even though she is not part of the white community, gender and social prejudices dictate that, as a white woman and the eldest daughter of the family, Mayella is expected to maintain the house and raise the younger children. Mayella is further shamed and separated from respectable people when Tom Robinson says on the witness stand that Mayella, “reached over and kissed me on the side of my face. She says she's never kissed a grown man before... She says what her father does to her doesn't matter.' When her alcoholic father, Bob Ewell, witnesses Mayella's indecent behavior, he becomes furious. Bob forces Mayella to accuse Tom.