First published in 1960, To kill a Mockingbird has for a long time been the only novel written by Harper Lee until she published the sequel Go Set a Watchman in 2015. To Kill a Mockingbird is a small book but with a powerful story. It had been on my to-read list for a long time until I read it in January this year. This is a book that has an important message that becomes clear through the eyes of the main character Scout. A six-year-old clear that is growing up in a fictional Alabama in the mid-1930s. During the book, Scout learns the harsh reality of her world that is filled with racism.
To Kill a Mockingbird is divided into two acts. In the first we, the reader, get to know the characters. Important are Scout's older brother: Jem, and her father: Atticus. Atticus is a lawyer, but in the eyes of Scout, he seems to do nothing important. This changes in the second act, as becomes clear that Atticus is the attorney of Tom Robinson, a black man that is wrongly accused of raping a white girl. Scout and Jem are present at the trial of Tom and while looking through the eyes of Scout, Atticus has clear proof of Tom's innocence. Yet, at the end of it all, he still is found guilty. Both Jem and Scout do not understand how this could have happened, especially Jem, who is a little older and understands even more of the trial. Devastated, Jem doesn't understand how the jury could have found Tom guilty. Both children learn how racist their society is, that even though Tom's innocence is clear, because of his skin colour he is still found guilty. Not much later, Atticus is informed that Tom tried to escape from prison, even though Atticus was already trying to get him out. Tom was shot 17 times and thus died.
Atticus is the hero of the story, of all people he is the one that stood beside Tom and clearly proved his innocence. He learns his children empathy and gives them meaningful lessons.
As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash. ~ Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird.
One of the things that makes this novel a classic is because it is accessible for many readers. Personally, I would also recommend this to anyone. Besides its accessibility, Lee has created a realistic story which still contains a powerful message nowadays. It is still relevant, that is why people are still reading her story. Also, the way in which she shares the unethicality of racism through the eyes of a child is unique and not done very often. This and more makes this book a classic.
Personally, I found this a good read, especially the second part of the novel. I hope that this post was inspiring, I would love to hear your opinions about the book if you've read it!
Keep reading,
Julia
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