"I swear Scout sometimes you act so much like a girl it's
mortifying!"
Jem to scout when she makes him go
and get the tire from the Radley place
(ch.4)
The 'insult' insinuates that a girl is cowardly and
that Scout should act like a boy. these roles are
taken for granted by the children. It's also funny
as Scout IS a girl !
Scout sais: I was not so sure,
but Jem told me I was being a
girl, that girls always imagined
things, that's why other people
hated them so, and if I started
behaving like one I could just
go off and find some to play
with. (4.119)
Jem has now suddenly changed his
opinion and wants Scout to act more like a
girl- "Scout, I'm tellin' you for the last time,
shut your trap or go home—I declare to the
Lord you're gettin' more like a girl every
day!" With that, I had no option but to join
them. (6.24)
Aunt Alexandra
Wants Scout to act more like a proper lady
Wear dresses, speak
when needed to.
As the novel goes on the subject of
Sexism is developped.