Introduction:
“To kill a mockingbird” is a luminous piece of literary work by Ms. Nelle Harper Lee. The novel was written in the year of 1960 wherein author portrays her childhood memories beautifully in the novel. The theme of the novel revolves around some serious issues including racism, rape, gender, audacity, empathy and inequality in American Lower South. The characters depicted in the novel are inspired by author’s family members and neighbors. The lead character Scout Finch is inspired by her father Atticus Finch. The Novel carries lot of humor and tenderness regardless of serious issues. The work done by author is praiseworthy because of its unique combination of racism, moral and over the age development.
This novel is widely accepted by many countries as a part of syllabus in the schools. During the past some movements took place against the novel and the book was asked to be removed from classroom teaching. The claim made by mentioning that book deals with racial soubriquets and does not properly discover and describe the black people. Despite of some negative publicity the book is very close to heart of many readers and some analyst mentioned that people should read this book before they depart from this world. The book should be considered in classroom teaching because of the learning’s and lesson it gives to its readers. The book taught students about the moral values, social problems, justice and responsibility of mankind towards his or her society and other people.
Background:
The book is knitted around Atticus Finch, who is a lawyer and his struggle to save black man who was trapped in false allegation of rape of white women. The author described the event that took place during her childhood. The story moves further by describing various tart trials of the case and high publicity given to the case. The accused was sent to prison for long-term. The verdict was found racial motivated and forged by various renowned lawyers and people. It was also observed that white women who were victim in the case were making false statements. There was no consistency in their statements hence the doubt was getting stronger.
The book faced criticism as some people called it highly moralistic and also said that the narrator is not able to convince her audience. The book was praise a large portion of population and received Pulitzer award in the year 1961. The movie version of the novel also received Oscar and many other prices. The book was introduced as a part of syllabus in various schools because of the contemptuous moral denunciation of racial injustice and also its assertion that human decency can endure the battering of malevolence.
Atticus Finch a famous attorney lived with his two children Jam and his sister Scout in Maycomb. The society was running under depression but Finch family was very rich and renowned as compare to other families in the place. Near to their neighbor a house which was owned by Mr. Radley, was occupied by his brother boo. Scout and Jem along with their another neighbor Dill use to act the story of Boo. Atticus ask them to change their behavior and think about the life from another perspective. He also told them that before making any judgment it is important to see the point view of other person. He mentioned that “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” (Joyce Milton and Harper Lee, 36). Here the Atticus is telling his child that before making any it is important to see both side so that the decision you are taking is not biased and right.
One night all three sneak into boo house and Jem left his pants while escaping when Mr. Radley shoots. Jem found his pants repaired and hanging on the boundry. Boo use to leave gifts for both children in the tree in his house which was reflection of kind behavior. Another act of his kind behavior was when he covered Scout with a blanket when the fire took place in neighbor house. After seeing dismay of racist white society, Atticus decided to protect Tom Robinson, a black man who was in charge of rape of a white female. Atticus here decided to fight with racist society; he has shown his unbiased and balanced behavior. Author here convey that people should take a lead in fighting with any kind of evil that is existing in the society. Because of Atticus decision both children faced lot of abandon from the society. On the other hand they were embraced by black people when go out with her black cook. Here author is mentioning that without thinking about afterward consequences Atticus decided to fight for black man. Tom Robinson put in the jail when his case trials started. A mob tries to murder him which was bravely handled by Atticus. Both children watched all the trials sitting with colored people. During all the trials Atticus presented very clear proofs that victim and her father are false. Atticus mentioned that the victim approached Tom which her father saw and putted the blame on tom to protect her from any kind of embarrassment. Even after presenting all evidences the white jury given the verdict in favor of victim and put innocent tom behind jail. Later on Tom shot death when he attempted o escape from prison. On the other hand Victim father who still was not happy with the decision decided to take revenge from the jury and attorney. He threatened Tom’s wife and tries to sneak into jury houses. At the end he attacked both children. Boo protects both children and stab the bob. After seeing the kind behavior of Boo, Scout was thinking about her father’s advice that before making any decision it is very important that you see both the side. You have to be sympathetic and understanding. Boo action taught her that goodness and kindness still exist with all this injustice and detestation. Boo behavior is true reflection of the quote “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Joyce Milton and Harper Lee, 45).
Boo never harmed anyone, he always tries to protect others and make them happy. Despite of his kind behavior Boo was injured by father of victim while protecting Jem and Scout. Boo is a true Mockingbird. Tom Robinson is another example of mocking bird that was also an innocent and was killed by people. At the end of story when Scout realize the true meaning of her father’s words; the author gave a clear message about how to make a decision and also do not lost your faith in man kindness.
The main theme of the book is moral values of people which make them to act as kindhearted or as an evil. The story started from two children who were unaware about the evil or kind people, went throw various phases and felt both of the things in their society. In the last chapter of the book when Scout was telling about a story to his father, she mentioned that “When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t doneany of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them” (Joyce Milton and Harper Lee, 75). Author mentioned that if one live with kindness and understanding, he will never lose his faith from people does not matter how strong the evil or bad people are. The experiences made Scout realize that how good people and bad people both exist together and if you have strong faith you will be able to fight with evil.
Conclusion:
The book is based on the story of two children who learn moral values and faith in humankind with the story hence the book is very important for children education. During the whole book author tries to give various lesions to children related with kind behavior, values, morals, and how to fight with evil. The author very beautifully delivered her messages with the help of real situation or by having a dialogue between children and father. Children learned various things from their childhood to adulthood. The conclusive chapter of the book is very thoughtful and full of learning about humankind, his understanding and kind behavior. The author tries to deliver a message to children from each and every chapter of the book hence the book should be included in future EN412 classes.
Works Cited
Bloom, Harold. To Kill a Mockingbird. United States: San Val, Incorporated, 2004.
Dawn Sova and Eva Fitzwater. To kill a mockingbird: notes. New Jersey: Cliffs Notes, John Wiley & Sons, 1983.
Heath, Samuel D. G. To Kill a Mockingbird: A Critique on Behalf of Children. Linclon, NE: iUniverse, 2007.
Joyce Milton and Harper Lee. To Kill A Mockingbird. New York: Barron's Educational Series, 1984.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: HarperCollins, 2006.
Mills, Catriona. To Kill a Mockingbird. Elsternwick VIC: Insight Publications, 2010.
Noble, Donald R. To Kill a Mockingbird. Ipswich, Massachusetts: Salem Press, 2009.
