Bibliography
Lee, Harper. 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York, London, Toronto, Sydney: Harper Perennial.
Review by Michael Beach
This is a well-known classic of American literature. I saw the movie starring Gregory Peck a long time ago with only scant memory of it. I knew it to be about a trial in the south, specifically Alabama. The trial was about an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, accused of rape. Despite evidence to the contrary, he is convicted, sent to prison, and eventually killed while attempting to escape.
Reading the book, I was surprised. I imagined most of the work to be mostly about the trial and interactions of the adults. In fact, most of the first half does neither of these things. Harper Lee introduces all the characters through the eyes of three children. Jeremy ‘Jem’ Finch, Gene Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, and Dill. Jem and Scout are the children of Atticus Finch, a widower. Dill is a friend who stays in Maycomb, their town, over the summer, living with an aunt. They interact with every sort of person throughout the book.
The story contains themes of racism, class distinction, and societal notions of honor. Every character uses the N-word. It is simply the vernacular of the time in 1930s Alabama. Atticus is central to all the goings on and is quickest to excuse what is, or seems to be, bad behavior of others. In many ways this is a coming-of-age story for the children. Their experiences and interactions with each other and the adults teach them about adult issues and attitudes. Social norms are in question throughout the work.
Atticus is not the only adult with more modern sentiment about race and class relations, but his allies are but few as he acts as legal counsel for the accused, Robinson. He and the children are threatened, and near the end of the book are attacked by Bob Ewell. He is the father of the girl who accused Robinson of rape and of beating her. In reality, the girl threw herself at Tom, the father saw it and beat his daughter.
It goes without saying that Lee is masterful in her style in capturing the nature and dialog of the characters. The circumstances and attitude ring true for the time and location. Her storytelling brings the reader into the world of her creation, yet one that feels like they could be actual events. The version I read is the 50th anniversary edition.
Lee, Harper. 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York, London, Toronto, Sydney: Harper Perennial.
Review by Michael Beach
This is a well-known classic of American literature. I saw the movie starring Gregory Peck a long time ago with only scant memory of it. I knew it to be about a trial in the south, specifically Alabama. The trial was about an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, accused of rape. Despite evidence to the contrary, he is convicted, sent to prison, and eventually killed while attempting to escape.
Reading the book, I was surprised. I imagined most of the work to be mostly about the trial and interactions of the adults. In fact, most of the first half does neither of these things. Harper Lee introduces all the characters through the eyes of three children. Jeremy ‘Jem’ Finch, Gene Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, and Dill. Jem and Scout are the children of Atticus Finch, a widower. Dill is a friend who stays in Maycomb, their town, over the summer, living with an aunt. They interact with every sort of person throughout the book.
The story contains themes of racism, class distinction, and societal notions of honor. Every character uses the N-word. It is simply the vernacular of the time in 1930s Alabama. Atticus is central to all the goings on and is quickest to excuse what is, or seems to be, bad behavior of others. In many ways this is a coming-of-age story for the children. Their experiences and interactions with each other and the adults teach them about adult issues and attitudes. Social norms are in question throughout the work.
Atticus is not the only adult with more modern sentiment about race and class relations, but his allies are but few as he acts as legal counsel for the accused, Robinson. He and the children are threatened, and near the end of the book are attacked by Bob Ewell. He is the father of the girl who accused Robinson of rape and of beating her. In reality, the girl threw herself at Tom, the father saw it and beat his daughter.
It goes without saying that Lee is masterful in her style in capturing the nature and dialog of the characters. The circumstances and attitude ring true for the time and location. Her storytelling brings the reader into the world of her creation, yet one that feels like they could be actual events. The version I read is the 50th anniversary edition.
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