To Kill a Mockingbird

I chose this book to be my first read because it epitomizes why we started this project.  It's a classic novel that I've heard about all my life with loads of recognizable cultural references and I had never read it.  I haven't even seen the movie.  But every time I hear Boo Radley's name in a Jeopardy clue, I know to ask "What is To Kill a Mockingbird?"

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is the story of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, a young girl growing up in depression-era Maycomb, Alabama.  Atticus Finch, is her single father and an attorney trying to raise Scout and her older brother Jem.

While the book is about Scout, much of her attention focuses on Atticus.  Despite his prominence in the community, he is almost an outsider.  Raising two children in his own way puts him at odds with the school and his sister.  Taking the case of a poor black man accused of a terrible crime makes him the target of the most of the townsfolk.

The book is divided into two parts.  Part 1 is episodic in nature.  In each chapter something happens and days or months may pass between the end of one and the start of the next.  Part 1 seems almost like a collection of short stories.  We meet the neighbors and relatives, pick up on some town gossip and learn just a little bit about Atticus Finch's past.  Many of the folks we meet are pretty boring.  They come across as stereotypes of the deep South (good and bad) or just extras, walking through a scene to keep it going.  Pretty much, what you see is what you get, despite an occasional attempt at showing some depth or change.

One noteworthy exception is Dill, a strange little boy who comes to visit Maycomb every summer, makes up many stories about his past and spurs Scout and Jem into many misadventures.  Many people feel the character of Dill was based on author Truman Capote, who was a childhood friend of Harper Lee.
Through her narration, we learn about the girl that Scout is and get a glimpse of who she is to become.  Her narration shifts from the actual time of the event to a remembrance of the event from some time in the future.  Sometimes this point of view works and other times it seems rather forced.  Scout comes across as either hopelessly naive (yet, somehow aware of this shortcoming) or fairly worldly. 

Part 2 begins in a different style, with the chapters following the action as it unfolds.  This is Scout at her best as storyteller.  Much of this section centers around the trial alluded to throughout Part 1.  In the build up and the trial itself we see characters who are showing some form of conflict about their attitudes.  As the trial starts, we see hope and optimism coming from all corners of Maycomb.  Some characters start to see the light with even Atticus' sister showing some compassion for others.  But this is a Southern Novel and, of course, we see the despair and heartache that every reader knows is coming.  All through Part 2 Scout does a great job of putting her fear and her confusion into words.

After the trial, the story loses some steam as life in Maycomb settles back to normal.  The tension builds again only to get bogged down by discussions of democracy, Adolf Hitler and racism.  The book's weakest writing offers some pretty stilted and awkward preaching.

But as the action builds in Maycomb, the pace of the book steps up dramatically.  Scout's fear is made very real with some terrific writing. 

To Kill A Mockingbird was published in 1960.  Predictably, it was not well received by all but it surprised me to learn that many of the most critical and deriding comments at that time were made by fellow "Southern Writers" who had negative opinions about the book, the story and the author.  Some thought it was a children's book.  Still, it garnered praise by most, was instantly turned into a movie and, by some sources, has never gone out of publication.

Still, controversy surrounds it as school systems regularly ban the book from their curriculum specifically for use of racial slurs.  The counterpoint to this view usually points out the book's stand against racial insults, inequity and injustice but apparently, that is lost somewhere in the argument.  Does the use of offensive language totally negate the value of any work of art to society?  (If so, has anyone listened to popular music or seen any movies lately?)  As of this writing, another classic American novel, Huckleberry Finn is going through the same controversy.  Some publishers have released edited versions as a solution but that just seems to raise even more issues.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a good story and a good novel with its timeless theme of injustice tied to a coming of age story.  If you enjoy reading about strong women or learning how they become so strong, I recommend this book. It deserves a place on every list of great books.

Now I need to go see the movie!

Next week:  Sandra's thoughts on Catch-22