“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”- Harper lee
Source: https://www.amazon.in/Kill-Mockingbird-Enhanced-Harper-Lee-ebook/dp/B00K1XOV5G
Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird centers on the enlightenment of a young girl, Jean Louise ("Scout") Finch, to racism and prejudice in her town. When one of the town's black residents, Tom Robinson is falsely accused of a crime against a white woman, Scout's father, Atticus Finch (lawyer), agrees to defend the young man.
Meanwhile, Scout and her brother, Jem Finch with their friend Dill take part in their own smaller drama surrounding the town's recluse (monster to town people) Arthur ("Boo") Radley. The novel is beautifully written and captures what life was like at the time and place in which it is set. The characters are well-developed and complex and written in a way that allows you to build a strong and emotional connection with them. Scout (Jeans nickname) and her brother, Jem are brought up in an open, free and a very forward environment by their father, Atticus with the help of their black caregiver Calpurnia (I am specifically mentioning this because that's the theme of the book and not to be racist in any way).
His way of upbringing is looked down upon by his relatives, neighbors, teachers, friends and the children are constantly reprimanded by everyone, only to be supported by him fairly. Their smooth life takes a rocky turn when their father, a righteous attorney, takes up a case to defend a black man, who is accused of a terrible crime. This book is about the challenges they face together as a family, and also how raw innocent minds question the very basic fundamentals of the society which adults are even afraid to think.
Source:- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056592/
This story is written during the time when there was extreme racism, deep rooted casteism which was unavoidable under any circumstances. Keeping these points in mind, I found this book very bold and straightforward and also relatable in today's time in many ways, unfortunately even after so many decades.
The main characters are so well described that I could relate to them and their reasoning and actions. The father's character is the soul of this story and I loved him with utmost respect. To be what he was, during that time, needs courage and self-confidence, which he passed on to his children as well. Atticus Finch, the unconventional hero of this book has been a favorite and has left me awe inspired.
His unique parenting style is refreshing and reassuring as it’s rooted in honest beliefs. When he says “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it", to his children, you feel a sense of genuine appreciation for this character and his insightful nature. Later on, as the story progresses you come to admire his integrity as well.
Harper Lee has written the story of a small-town life during the Great Depression but what makes it so endearing is that you look at it from the eyes of a child, Scout (Atticus’s daughter). She is both the observer as well as the one who can ask tricky and not so politically correct questions. However, she can get away with it as she’s a child. That is a very smart element with respect to the plot line of the story. Which brings me to the point where she asks the question pertaining to the book title itself. Why shouldn’t one kill a mockingbird? Why is it considered to be a sin?
In this story of innocence destroyed by evil, the 'mockingbird' comes to represent the idea of innocence. Thus, To Kill a Mockingbird is to destroy innocence. The longest quotation about the book's title appears, when Scout explains: "'Remember it's a sin To Kill a Mockingbird. The impact was created in the story with these lines by Atticus:
1. “Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin To Kill a Mockingbird.”
2. “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, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin To Kill a Mockingbird.”
With the inspiring and indulging writing of Harper Lee, the book keeps you intrigued and interested. One more fact that made the readers connect with the story was that it was inspired by Lee’s real life when she was living in Alabama. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird is reportedly based on a trial where Lee's father—a lawyer like Atticus Finch—served as a defense counsel for two African American men accused of murdering a white storekeeper.
There were humongous responses when this book released, when it was published in 1960, initial critical responses to To Kill a Mockingbird were mixed, but its popularity grew. The book sold over 500,000 copies in its first year of publication. It is one of the best-known and most widely read books in the United States. It's been translated into 40 languages, has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, and is a staple on U.S. high-school reading lists.
Lee received the Pulitzer Prize in fiction, and the book was adapted into a film, which won three Academy Awards. Today the book remains popular and is part of many high-school English curricula. The film with the same name as the book title was an impact on the movie industry released in 1962, the cast was appreciated and Gregory Peck was amazing with the role of Atticus Finch. Who thought a black and white movie could be so good?
The book is both evocative and engaging. Her descriptions of the town and its residents bring Maycomb to life. To Kill a Mockingbird continues to live through with readers of all ages because of its universal theme and relevance. It acts as a reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice, social norms and discrimination. This Harper lee’s masterpiece is a must read.
Article written by:- Tanisha Singhal
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