To Kill A Mockingbird - My Review
Introduction
Synopsis
The plot takes place during 1933 to 1935 during the Great Depression. The story is told by 6 year old Jean Louise "Scout" Finch who lives in the fictional town of Maycomb in Alabama along with her 10 year old brother Jeremy "Jem" and their father Atticus who is a lawyer. The children are obsessed in trying to make their reclusive neighbor Arthur "Boo" Radley come out of his house, who has not been seen for years. Atticus is put in charge to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who allegedly raped a white girl named Mayella Ewell. Due to the highly racist society back then especially in the Deep South, Atticus is constantly taunted and even faces a mob once. However, he remains optimistic and knows he is fighting fo the right side.
At the trials, Atticus is able to prove that it was Mayella's father Bob Ewell who had actually beaten her and that Tom was falsely accused. However, as a consequence of the deep-set institutional racism, Tom is convicted and sent to jail. Atticus is hopeful that he can get the verdict overturned, but Tom is shot and killed while trying to escape from prison. On the other hand, Bob Ewell is humiliated by the trials and whatever little credibility he had is lost. He vows to take revenge on whomsoever crossed his path, After few minor incidents, he attacks Jem and Scout with a knife when they are on their way back from a Halloween party. Scout's halloween costume saves her life whereas Jem breaks his arm and he becomes unconscious. He is almost killed before he is saved by man unknown person who then kills Bob Ewell. The stranger helps the kids get back to their home where Atticus identifies him as to be their reclusive neighbor Boo Radley. Although it is evident that Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell, the sheriff decides not to convict him because he saved the children. Scout thinks about life from Boo's perspective.
Analysis
To Kill A Mockingbird is considered to be a classic book due to its handling of race, class and gender relations. Firstly, although it was published in 1960, it is set in the mid 1930s when racial tensions were at the highest in depression era America. However, this book has strong anti racist themes and negatively portrays the institutional racism against African Americans. As Atticus Finch, one of the most beloved literary characters of all time says, "Our courts have our faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal." The book also presents the pressing gender gap in the American society during the depression era. Although there are strong and independent female characters in the book, Lee makes the fact evident that if such individuals were part of the jury that was presiding over the Tom Robinson case, he might have been acquitted however they were not allowed because they were women. Mockingbird also deals with class relations between the different social stratus among white people. Families like the Finches belong to the more respectable area whereas families like the Ewells are considered as "white trash" as they are poor and are on the fringes of society.
Narrative
In my opinion, one of the main reasons Mockingbird is seen as such a great novel is that while it deals with weighty topics such as race, class and gender, it is actually very easy and fun to read. It has a very interesting plot that gets the reader glued to their seat and Lee adopts a light hearted tone while narrating the book as the plot is seen through the eyes of Scout who is a very small girl. Although Lee does use certain racial epithets, it is important to remember that she deliberately used it to accurately portray the society back then.
Conclusion
In conclusion, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of the greatest novels ever written and it is a must read for everybody because not only does it teach you about the various pressing problems related to race, class and gender, it also most importantly teaches you to be more open minded and consider things from the other person's perspective as well. I will round off this blog with arguably the most famous quote from To Kill A Mockingbird which was spoken by Atticus Finch: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."😀
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