The only time I ever heard Atticus speak sharply to anyone was when I once heard him say, “Sister, I do the best I can with them!” It had something to do with my going around in overalls. 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. Aunt Alexandra’s vision of my department involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born; furthermore I should be a ray of sunshine in my father’s lonely life. I suggested that one could be a ray of sunshine in pants just as well, but Aunty said that one had to behave like a sunbeam, that I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year.

– Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 9. Aunt Alexandra, Atticus’s sister, is critical of the way he is bringing up his children. Tomboy Scout is a true representative of feminism who dresses like a boy and likes taking part in what are considered boys’ activitities. Alexandra’s vision for Scout is that she do ladylike things and be a “ray of sunshine” for her lonely father. However, Scout is her father’s daughter and feels she can be that ray in pants also.