Women and Femininity

Questions

1)Who is the most feminine?
a. Scout
b. Dill
c. Calpurnia
d. Aunt Alexandria

2) Who tells Scout she needs to act more like a lady?
a. Aunt Alexandra
b. Jem
c. All of the above

Mayella Ewell shows up to court:
a. with skin clean but raw from scrubbing
b. with her skin clean as she alway keeps it
c. filthy and unwashed
d. with dirty hands and a clean face

When Aunt A. has her missionary circle of women over, where are Scout’s britches?
a. under her dress
b. over her dress
c. on the cat
d. in the kitchen, where Cal made her put on a dress

Why does Aunt Alexandra say Scout should where a dress?
a. It’s more comfortable in the hot summer weather
b. It will make Dill go back to wanting to marry Scout.
c. To show respect at Tom Robinson’s funeral
d. Scout shouldn’t be doing things that require pants.

Quotes

“After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I.” pg 318

“Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants.” pg 108

Summary

Throughout the book, Scout is learning to be more feminine. She ends her cussing phase and dons a dress. Although she is used to running around dressed like a boy, she is constantly pressured by Aunt Alexandra among others to be more lady like. Aunt Alexandra, who fancies herself the picture of femininity is a constant gossiper, judging everyone that she lays eyes on. She also likes to embroider, which appears to be a womanly task. Miss Maudie bakes cakes and work in her garden. Even mean old Mrs. Dubose has a garden of flowers to take care of, as well as Mayella Ewell, who takes great pride in her brilliant red geraniums.