To+Kill+a+Mockingbird

A Classic Revisited.
Katherine Floess

To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee. 323. Harper Collins Publishers. $7.99.

Considered a classic of American literature, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to be an influential book forty-eight years after it was first published. The setting, characters, and writing style set this book above others in its impact to the reader. Scout, the main character of the novel, is a young white girl growing up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer in Maycomb, and is chosen to represent a black man in a trial. The man, Tom Robinson, has been accused of rape against a white woman. Scout witnesses this case, and the townspeople's reactions, both good and bad. The book deals with very serious topics, but manages to also be amusing. The story is told from the perspective of Scout, who is six years old at the time, and her childish innocence adds a lighthearted dimension to the novel. Many of her experiences are humorous, such as her adventures on the first day of school and at the school play. It is this combination of seriousness and humor that makes the book appealing as both a fun read and a serious, thought-provoking book. Harper Lee's ability to relay the story through the perspective of a child is extremely successful. Scout is a very convincing character. Scout's father, Atticus, is the most striking character in the novel. He is a remarkable father and fighter against racial discrimination. His character has made a profound impact on society, from influencing lawyers to entering in popular culture. However, it is only when one reads the book the one can understand why Atticus has had such a profound impact. At one point in the book, Scout asks Atticus why he is defending Tom Robinson, and he responds: "The main reason is, if I didn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you and Jem not to do something again." "You mean if you didn't defend that man, Jem and me wouldn't have to mind you any more?" "That's about right." "Why?" "Because I could never ask you to mind me again." This shows the character of Atticus: that his morals are so high that he is forced, not by others, but by his own conscience to defend Tom Robinson. However, a book cannot rely on two characters alone. The minor characters in the book were also important. The town of Maycomb is filled with interesting personalities, from the reclusive Boo Radley to the wise Miss Maudie. Scout introduces the reader to each of these characters, who give the book a very realistic feeling; by the end of the book, the reader feels as though they know the people in Maycomb. One of the many enjoyable aspects in To Kill a Mockingbird was Harper Lee's use of symbols. One example is the symbol of the mockingbird. Miss Maudie, Scout's neighbor, tells her that: "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." The mockingbird appears throughout the book, as a symbol of the death of innocence. It even lends itself as the title of the novel. There are numerous other symbols throughout the book, that add dimension to the story. To Kill a Mockingbird is fictional, but the book has a very realistic feel. This is hardly surprising, since there are many parallels between the book and Harper Lee's own life; To Kill a Mockingbird could almost be autobiographical. Harper Lee grew up in a small Alabama town, and was described as a tomboy, rather like Scout. Lee's father was a lawyer, who at one point in his career defended a black man, much like Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout's friend, Dill, is based after Lee's childhood friend Truman Capote (The Big Read). The power of To Kill a Mockingbird has captured readers since its first publication, when it became an instant bestseller. Today, it is the fourth most taught book in U.S. schools (Rutherford). For those who have never read the book, To Kill a Mockingbird should not be missed. Works Cited:

The Big Read. "To Kill a Mockingbird: About the Author." National Endowment for the Arts. 2006. 

Rutherford, Nancy Louise. To Kill a Mockingbird: The Student Survival Guide. "Note to Teachers." 20 March 2001. 