Scout acts like a tomboy primarily because she lacked a traditional female role model during her formative years and her father allowed her the freedom to develop her own interests.
Key Factors Contributing to Scout's Tomboyish Nature
Several key influences shaped Scout's behavior and preference for activities traditionally associated with boys:
- Absence of a Mother Figure: Scout's mother passed away when she was very young. This meant she didn't have a female presence to guide her in the conventional expectations of how a "proper girl" should behave or dress in the early 20th-century Southern American society.
- Atticus's Permissiveness: Her father, Atticus Finch, plays a significant role in allowing Scout to be herself. While he discourages her from fighting, he generally permits her tomboyish inclinations, fostering an environment where she feels free to explore activities she enjoys without strict gender-based limitations.
- Resistance to Traditional Femininity: Scout actively resists attempts to conform her to societal expectations of a young lady. Her Aunt Alexandra, for instance, makes considerable efforts to mold Scout into a more "ladylike" figure, which often results in Scout's irritation and further entrenches her aversion to such constraints. She finds these expectations stifling and prefers the freedom and adventurous spirit of playing with her brother Jem and their friend Dill.
These combined factors — the lack of early maternal guidance, her father's understanding approach, and her own strong-willed personality — all contribute to Scout's distinctive tomboy persona.
