To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written in 1960 by Harper Lee. The setting is a small, racially divided town in Maycomb, Alabama. The book describes how a young girl, Scout, and her brother are confronted with the prejudice and hatred of Maycomb County. Harper Lee illustrates how Jem and Scout lose their innocence and mature through the traumatic events in their town.
Scout Finch and her brother are being raised by their single father, Atticus Finch, a lawyer, with the help of his loyal African American housekeeper, Calpurnia. A Black man named Tom Robinson is accused of attacking a White woman. Atticus agrees to represent this man, which triggers anger and disapproval from the White citizens of Maycomb County. Jem and Scout do not understand the prejudice in the society in which they live, which causes confusion. These harsh events lead the children to lose their innocence and adapt to the harsh realities of their environment. Harper Lee’s novel mainly highlights how prejudice and racism affect the lives of the citizens of Maycomb County.
Rachel Jules ’28 stated, “To Kill a Mockingbird is an exceptional book. It addresses important themes such as racial injustice and personal growth through the eyes of a young girl named Scout. The characters are well-crafted, and the narrative is both engaging and touching. The story is set in the South of the United States during the 1930s, providing a vivid backdrop that enhances its theme. Harper Lee’s writing vividly brings the setting and themes to life, making it a classic that continues to fascinate readers. The book’s exploration of human nature and empathy is profound. Its lessons on compassion and understanding are still relevant today.”
In agreement with Rachel Jules’ quote, the author indeed incorporates the essential theme of growth through the character Scout Finch. At the novel’s start, Scout is just a young, curious girl struggling to understand the prejudiced society in which she is growing up. She tends to believe everything she is told and finds it hard to understand the hypocrisy between what she sees and hears. As she watches the trial of Tom Robinson, she acknowledges how people are treated because of their skin color. She begins to understand that life is more complex than she thought. Her dad, Atticus, teaches her to stand up for what is right, show kindness, and try to view things from others’ perspectives. As Scout grows, she learns the value of empathy, especially when she realizes that Boo Radley, whom she once feared, is just misunderstood and is a nice person. Through Scout’s personal growth, Harper Lee teaches us the value of seeing others with kindness and encourages her readers to think more deeply about fairness and humanity.
I recommend To Kill a Mockingbird to readers twelve and up. This novel explores important themes such as racial justice, morality, point of view, coming of age, and empathy. These relevant topics are crucial subjects for young individuals as they begin to learn about the complex issues in the world.
