“Prejudices, it is well known, are very difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education; they grow there, firm as weeds. among the stones." - Charlotte BrontëThe South, as it was in the 1930s, America was much more than just Southern belles and gentlemen. The days progressed to the leisurely pace of tired old men strolling in the middle of -day on the burning sidewalk However, every once in a while, such a powerful force could cause a sedated southern city to rage Since the dawn of America, division, prejudice, and hatred have been the. causes of insurmountable conflict. Maycomb County provides an important backdrop for the central issues that plagued South America in the early 20th century: sexism, racism, and social class conflict in the pre-feminist movement. 1960, women were expected to follow strict gender roles Scout is a great example of a little girl struggling to fit into the roles given to her not only by men in society, but also by women at the time. where Aunt Alexandra enters Maycomb, she takes it upon herself to mold young Scout and Jem into their societal roles. Scout especially experiences a lot of criticism and pressure from her aunt for being the stereotypical girl; "We decided it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won't be long, Jean Louise, before you will take an interest in clothes and boys—."(Lee, 127) Aunt's comment Alexandra addressed to Scout reflects the common values ​​of Maycomb County and that era. Jem, as he begins to grow up, also wants Scout to “start being a girl” (115). Miss Stephanie also informs her that she won't become a woman until she wears more dresses. It also highlights the importance of becoming a “lady.” Being a woman in the South obviously means more than just being a woman; you have to look and play the role according to the people of that time. Even Atticus, a man who champions equality, makes his own sexist comments: "I guess it's to protect our fragile women from sordid cases like Tom's." (221) Atticus' remarks prove that sexism and gender roles are a norm in society and that their offensiveness is not really addressed. It’s not just men who put women in their roles; it is the women themselves who are responsible for enforcing these rules. Racism is an issue that has been addressed in society for a long time, but it is evident that women in society are just beginning to free themselves from the long-held values ​​that have oppressed them in the past..