To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee, exploring race relations in the Depression-era South through the eyes of a little girl. It follows a trial where Atticus defends a black man accused of rape, and addresses themes of racism and social exceptions. The book has been both praised and criticized for its use of racial epithets, but is considered a must-read for its message of acceptance and influence on civil rights advocacy.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1960 novel written by Harper Lee, which enjoyed almost instantaneous popularity when first published. Readers soon hoped for a To Kill a Mockingbird film, and were lucky enough to get one in 1962, with Gregory Peck anchoring the role of Atticus Finch and winning a Best Actor Oscar for playing him. Both book and film explore, but not least, the effect of race relations in the Depression-era South as seen through the eyes of a little girl “Scout,” a semi-autobiographical version of Lee.
The narrative of To Kill a Mockingbird deserves some exploration because the book isn’t always told from a child’s point of view. Instead, the adult Scout often reflects on the events that occurred in the novel, while at other times the child Scout narrates the book. The two perspectives of adult and child provide a perfect blend of reflection and immediacy, and reflect how Scout, as she gets older, discovers the many different worlds of thinking about race relations, small town happenings, and world events, through the well drawn characters Scout Encounters.
It’s hard to make a brief summary of To Kill a Mockingbird. Even though the novel is short, it is rich in plot and subplot and so many fine details that most people can get the full effect of the novel just by reading it. In short, the novel’s plot deals with Scout and her brother Jem, and especially their father Atticus, as the small town goes through a very difficult time. The main action of the book focuses specifically on a trial, in which a poor white woman falsely accuses a black man, Tom Robinson, of raping her. Atticus is given Robinson’s defense, and essentially, given a case, he can’t win because Robinson will have a white jury. In that climate, time, and environment, no white jury could prefer the testimony of a black man to a white woman. All Atticus can do is provide the best possible defense in hopes of getting a second trial.
Atticus’ intent to actually defend Robinson is admired by few, but despised by most others. As he predicts, Robinson is convicted of rape, then panics in prison and is shot as he tries to escape. Atticus’s defense of Robinson creates particularly bad feelings in Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father, the accuser in the trial. Ewell sets out to try and destroy Atticus by attacking Scout and Jem, and they are only saved by the intervention of very lonely neighbor Boo (Arthur) Radley.
Much of the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird Before His Trial is about Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill’s obsession with Boo. He stayed at home for years after getting into trouble as a young man. The kids look into his life story and desperately want Boo to come out.
Throughout, To Kill a Mockingbird addresses not only themes of racism but defends the outcasts in Southern society who expect all people to behave in certain predictable ways. Scout, Boo and Tom Robinson are all social exceptions; they don’t fit or belong in the world of Alabama. Only Scout is able to transition into adjustment, as she transitions from tomboy to young woman, but her eyes are wide open to the considerable injustice contained in her world.
Although To Kill a Mockingbird is loved and often assigned as high school reading, many people have found the book offensive due to its use of racial epithets. In some ways this is a shame, since the book clearly rises above racism, to promote a vision of love and acceptance for all. Also, historically speaking, it is accurate in dissecting the viewpoint of the white Southerner on Black Southerners at that particular time. Many argue that the book is a must-read for all, especially in its final message of acceptance of all, and its inherent frustration that society of the time continued to discriminate against. The book was published just before many of the civil rights rallies in the South and is thought to have greatly influenced many to assess the nature of racism and advocate for an end to it.
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