| |
Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird
are depicted by the author as classifying each other according to
rigid categories. They hold stereotypes about how individuals will
behave as a result of their age, gender, race, social status, and
other fixed categories. Harper Lee sets out to challenge some stereotypes
but may also reinforce some alternative stereotypes. One common
criticism of the novel is that the black characters are idealized.
Lula is an exception, objecting to the appearance at First Purchase
of the Finch children.
Harper Lee attacks the stereotype of the promiscuous
and sexually voracious black man, but she endorses the stereotype
of "White trash", in the Ewell family. In the USA there
are many people who disapprove of dependency on the state, and on
welfare payments - both the poor Cunninghams and the wealthy (but
emotionally poor) Radleys are proud of their self-reliance.
The stereotype of aristocratic white women is held
up to ridicule - their virtue is seen as excessive delicacy, and
they appear as selfish and hypocritical. Scout wants to be like
a boy, because she likes to be active. In general, the novel depicts
men more favourably - or perhaps it shows that men may commit worse
actions but women are more spiteful in what they say. Perhaps only
a woman can be so tough in depicting her own sex (in this respect,
Harper Lee writes rather in the manner of Jane Austen).
In a novel with a huge cast of characters, there
is no reason to avoid using stereotypes in every case. There are
plenty of characters, from Atticus to Dolphus Raymond, from Miss
Maudie to Boo Radley, who do not conform to any stereotype.
|
|
