Explain the last line of Chapter 13.
The last line of chapter 13 is very significant in Scout's perception of herself and of other women in Maycomb. When Aunt Alexandra arrived, Scout felt that she would be forced to act ladylike and effeminate (and she was not wrong.) Scout even says, "Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me." (175) Scout is worried that, for the rest of her life, she will be expected to behave in a feminine manner. Because of this, she starts looking for a way to remain strong and tomboyish.
Scout then begins to look at the people around her for answers. The only option she sees is to be strong through doing difficult tasks that are usually relegated to women. She tries to reassure herself, saying, "It takes a woman to do that kind of work." (179) Scout is trying to reassure herself that the truly hard things are assigned to women, and being tough does not necessarily mean fighting back (similar to Atticus' explanation that courage isn't just a man with a gun in his hand). By doing this, Harper Lee is showing, rather than telling, how Scout tries to be herself by being somebody else, to be ladylike and strong at the same time, and to grow up and stay young at the same time.
Since Aunt Alexandra arriving, Scout has been trying to decide what kind of person she is. She wants to stay young and tomboyish, but by saying, "It takes a woman to do that kind of work." (179) she is starting to mature and understand women roles in society. She usually talk about Atticus as a role-mottle and respectful adult, but in the last paragraph she says, "only a man." (179) She understands that men and women have different roles in society, and is starting to understand what society wants her to be and what she wants to be herself.
ReplyDeleteThoughts? Is Scout going to eventually become more feminine? Will Aunt Alexandra effect Scout's family dynamics? Will Scout confront Aunt Alexandra?
I feel as though Scout will eventually become more feminine. Throughout chapter 13 she is attempting to understand the role of the woman in the Maycomb society. Therefore Aunt Alexandra has already made changes in the family. Although Scout may not agree with some of the new ideas Aunt Alexandra is bringing into the picture such as " living up to your name" (177) she is trying to make an effort to at least explore what is being suggested. As for confronting her aunt, I think Scout will hold her ground and be difficult but will not fight against it, she cares too much about Atticus. Clearly Atticus does not have the majority of the power in the house right now because he is being told to say things to his kids that was not his ideas and Scout and Jem both understand that and are trying to help as much as they can
DeleteDo you think Atticus will regain power of the house? Will Aunt Alexandra learn something from being at the Finch's house? Will her stay have a negative impact on the family?
I think that Scout is becoming more mature and with that becoming more feminine. However, I don't think that's how she will be entirely, I think there will still be a part of her always being a tomboy and wanting adventure. Aunt Alexandra has already affected the family dynamic but in terms of what Atticus comes in and explains on the last page of chapter 13, I don't think that will change anything because Atticus doesn't believe in what Alexandra told him to say. Also I don't think Scout will confront her aunt because she has explained in her thoughts multiple times of the things she wants to say but restrains herself so she won't aggravate her aunt.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if Dill comes back the next summer, Scout will still want to be "engaged" to him and play with him as much? Do you think part of her newfound maturity is from going to church with Cal and learning about other people?
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