Distaff Side 1100 Words
/ˈdɪstɑ:f/ – saɪd/ (noun & idiom)
the female side of a family, the female members of a group, women’s side of a family, mother’s side of a family, womanly, feminine
During Atticus’s closing remarks of the Tom Robinson trial, Atticus brings up Thomas Jefferson’s quote regarding equality among all men and says, “…a phrase that the Yankees and the distaff side of the Executive branch in Washington are fond of hurling at us” (Lee, 208). The word “distaff” is defined as concerning a woman or women collectively. When using the word “distaff” in conjunction with the Executive branch of Washington, one can infer that Atticus is talking about the present First Lady. The novel is set during the mid-1930s when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the elected president of the United States and was married to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was the First Lady.
Therefore, Atticus is referring to Eleanor Roosevelt when he refers to the “distaff side of the Executive branch in Washington.” Atticus proceeds to argue that the one place where all men should be treated and considered equal is in a United States courtroom. Unfortunately, Tom Robinson becomes the victim of racial injustice after being convicted of assaulting and raping Mayella Ewell.
Source: https://www.enotes.com/
Antonym: spear side, manly, virile, masculine
