In Harper Lee's To Kill a
Mockingbird, there are several ways in which Scout acts unlady-like. First,
she wears overalls, much to her Aunt Alexandra's dismay. Dresses are not a favorite with
Scout. She is also more than willing to fist fight with the boys. For instance, when
Walter Cunningham will not take money from Miss Caroline and the teacher gets aggravated
when Scout tries to explain, Scout has Walter down on the ground during recess—Jem has
to break it up. Another time, when Cecil Jacobs insults Atticus, as well as when her
cousin Francis does the same, Scout goes after both—in fact, she splits Francis' mouth
open.
...she
is quick to respond to insults with her
fists...
Scout is a tomboy.
She runs and plays with Jem, and when Dill starts to come for the summer, she dislikes
being left out of the boys' adventures. When the kids sneak into the Radley yard one
night, the gate squeaks and Jem tells them to spit on the hinge to stop the noise. Scout
is not at all put out by this: there is nothing "girly" about
Scout.
Scout is a child of habit. When the ladies come to
the house to join Aunt Alexandra for her missionary tea, Scout is attired in her Sunday
best: a pink dress, with shoes and petticoat. When she sits down, Miss Maudie comments
on her clothes.
"You're mighty dressed up, Miss Jean Louise," she
said. "Where are your britches today?"
"Under my
dress."
Scout is not a girl
who likes to sit for tea, wear dresses or have her hair curled. As far as we know, she
does not own a doll, and does not have any friends who are girls. She gets an air rifle,
just like Jem, at Christmas, delighted with the gift. Scout wants to run, play games
(like rolling in a car tire), climb trees, and hang out with the
boys.
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