To Kill a Mockingbird is a
fictional book which was published in 1960- now known as classic of modern
American literature- by Nelle Harper Lee. With its instant success and being
translated in almost 40 languages it has been read in many high
schools in America and other countries as well. Harper Lee's book has been
greatly recognized for its delicate treatment of a child’s awakening to issues
such as racism, class and prejudice during the Great Depression
(1929–39) in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama.
This extremely
thought-provoking story is mainly centered on the trail of a black man that
Atticus Finch is defending who is being accused of sexually assaulting a white
girl. In the course of the trail and through her
mischievous adventures like the exciting visits they make to Boo Radley
who is seen as odd but is he really … and observing her small town, Scout
learns that everybody deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and justice
regardless of their skin.
Under the care of
Atticus Finch, a well-respected lawyer in the community of Maycomb, two very
profound people in the book are raised - Jeremy 'Jem' Finch and Scout
Finch.
Atticus Finch is an
honorable man who always leads by example; teaching Jem and Scout the
importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. He
stands firm in his moralities and this is one of the central themes in the
book. This book successfully takes the reader on a trip back to their
innocent self, their experiences of sympathy, sadness, love, malice, humor this
is depicted through the eyes of Atticus’ children.
This coming of age
introduces Scout Finch is as the first-person narrator at the age of six. She
is quite challenging for Jem as he tries to always protect her and be the calm
to her fierceness. A clear representation of these kids’ views and experiences
of the Alabama is seen when their childhood friend Dill comes to visit for the
holidays. Scout is a young girl who thinks she doesn’t need to go to school
because her father teaches her everything. She truly adores her father and
initially thinks that there is nothing more to him than being old and boring.
As the story matures, there is much beauty in slowly seeing Scouts
transitioning from her initial thoughts to appreciating the character that Atticus
is.
Instilling the
saying; “You never really
understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … Until
you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” To Kill a Mockingbird successfully
made us stare
at social issues of prejudice and injustice in the face, and made us want to
aspire to be an Atticus Finch, this is what makes the book the beautiful piece
of work that it is.
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