Introduction: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee is another book that I should have read by now. First published in 1960, it is one of the most challenged books ever published. One of the primary reason cited why Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is challenged it that the word “nigger” appears some 48 times in the book. Surprisingly I was not offended by the book – I wouldn’t want anyone calling me a nigger – and enjoyed the story. I found Joseph Conrad’s book, Heart of Darkness more offensive because of the way blacks are depicted.
A timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961, and to date has sold more than 30 million copies and been translated into over 40 languages. The book deals with two very difficult topics – rape and racial inequalities. Set in the early to mid-1930s, the book is narrated by Jean Louise Finch (Scout), one of the central characters. The story unfolds over a period of three years, starting when Scout is six years old.
I really enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird because Harper Lee brought the characters to life, and the behavior of Scout and her brother Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch) is quite believable – curious and exploring things for themselves. However, I thought their father, Atticus Finch was much too passive and forgiving, in the sense that he is always explaining and excusing bad behavior.
Have you read?
Clover by Dori Sanders, Book Review
What is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee About?
In the main story, Judge Taylor appoints Atticus to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping and assaulting a 19 year old white woman, Mayella Ewell. Most of the people in the town of Maycomb are outraged that Atticus is defending a black man, and they are calling him a “nigger lover.” Although it is decades after the American Civil War, and slavery is abolished, blacks are still treated as second class citizens and segregation is very much in effect, especially in the South.
Interestingly enough, people do not respect or like Robert Ewell, Mayella’s father because he is mean-spirited, cruel and lazy. Despite that, and he not being a model citizen, he has white privilege. Because of public sentiment, Atticus knows that it is unlikely that he will win the case, but he works very hard to defend his client, even though the client is a black man. During the trial, Atticus creates enough doubt, and the readers, and the forward thinkers in the community know that Tom Robinson is innocent, and that it is Robert who assaulted his daughter. We get the sense that she wasn’t raped, and when the sheriff was called to the scene of the crime, he didn’t investigate and took the Ewells’ word that Mayella was raped.
Despite the evidence that Tom couldn’t have committed the crime, the jury convicts him. Another interesting point in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is that the jurors deliberated for a long time, meaning that not all the jurors believe Tom is guilty therefore there is a lot of discussion. While in prison, and Atticus is working on an appeal, Tom gets frustrated and attempts to escape, and the guards kill him.
Robert Ewell is furious because Atticus makes him look foolish while he is testifying, and he threatens him. One day Robert spits in Atticus’ face and the lawyer doesn’t retaliate or takes the threat seriously. He also believes that if Robert decides to act again it will be against him, and his stupidity and assumptions nearly costs him his two children, Jem and Scout. Robert tries to kill them one night while the two are returning from a school pageant at Scout’s school. Scout’s costume saves her life, and Jem’s arm is broken and he sustains other injuries and is unconscious.
Arthur Radley (Boo), a reclusive neighbor assists the two children. All throughout the story, Jem, Scout and their summer friend, Dill devise a variety of ways to get a glimpse of Boo, who they believe have not shown his face in public in decades. Children are curious, and they go against Atticus when he tells them to leave Boo Radley alone. In the end, Scout gets to see Boo, but Jem isn’t awake, and he is going to be upset that he missed the opportunity.
As the story unfolds, the reader gets a glimpse of what Southern USA was like in the 1930s, people’s prejudices, the way blacks and whites interact, the way whites interact with whites and the way blacks interact with blacks – class is a big part of society, even among whites. Although I am an active reader, I didn’t get caught up in the racial slurs and injustices. It was an unfortunate time in history, and hopefully all of us can build bridges, learn to forgive, assist each other and we create a much better world.
Final Thoughts: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
After reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, I was reminded of these words in a Bob Marley song:
“Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned…Everything is war. Me say war. That until there are no longer first class and second class citizens of any nation…Until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, me say war. That until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race me say war!”
