To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a great work in American literature, and has been taught in schools for many years. The book is the story of two young children during part of their time growing up. In this book, readers see the adventures of Scout and Jem, and how they learn from them. Along with learning that racism is a big part in their society in this time, and the unfairness of it. The novel should be taught in schools because of the lessons taught to readers by Scout and Jem, as well as lessons about the effects and extremity of racism. The siblings Jem and Scout, Scout especially, teach readers important lessons and proves why this book should be in the high school curriculum. The book is narrated from the perspective of young Scout. Through
the novel she grows, learns, and teaches readers in a bright and youthful way. Throughout the entire story “Scout sees adults accepting society's rules rather than confronting them” (May).
She sees this and rather than going with society, Scout confronts the rules and does and believes what she knows is right. Readers in high school can learn from this to stand up for themselves and what they believe is right. Scout also learns maturity throughout this book. In the first part of the book Scout gets into a fight and Atticus later tells her this is not acceptable. Then later when she is challenged again she “walked away from a fight” (Lee 102). This shows Scout’s growing maturity as a young woman and how she has learn to listen and do what is right. This teaches readers to step back even when they feel like they can not or should not because it is the right and mature thing to do. Later on towards the end of the book, when Aunt Alexandra has her missionary circle over Scout comments “After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I” (Lee 318). Scout notices that after just finding out that Tom has been killed, her Aunt still acts like a lady, and Scout plans to do the same. Scout teaches readers that it is possible to stay mature and collected even when going through
a chaotic time. During the time of the trial, Jem also teaches readers a few things. During the trail scene itself “Jem remains confident, even when the jury is out for a long time” (Pryal). This teaches readers to have confidence in themselves and what they believe. Jem not only had this self confidence, but he spreads it to Scout and the people around him. When the jury is deciding the verdict Scout asks “Ain’t it a long time? Sure is, Scout, he said happily” (281). Jem remains confident and gives this confidence to Scout to keep her spirits and thoughts high. Throughout the novel Scout and Jem teach readers important lessons which shows why this book should be taught in schools. Another factor in why this book should be taught is that it teaches readers about the extremity racism in this time, and how it affects society. Throughout the book Scout “sees the effects of racism on her teachers and neighbors, and even feels the sting of it herself” (May). Racism is a prominent topic in this book, especially with the case of Tom Robinson. It teaches Scout how vast the issue of racism is in this time, and readers can learn this from her. The Finch family receives much hatred for Atticus’ involvement in the case. Because of this, “for the first time the children must face the social rejection caused by racial bias” (May). The children have never received this type of rejection before and during this time will really see societies “racial bias” just because their father is involved in this case. This teaches readers how society in this time is so caught up in racism, and how it can affect people when they go against the racial norms. During the trial Atticus shows that Tom really is not guilty with plenty of evidence. Despite this “the white jurors do not overcome difference in skin color to see tom as a courteous and honest man- to see him the way in which they see atticus” (Felty). Even though the jurors know Tom is not guilty, they find him guilty simply because he is black and Mr. Ewell is not. This again shows readers how extreme racism is in this society, and how it vastly effects some individuals lives. When Scout and Jem are talking to Reverend Sykes, Jem is telling him that he is very confident that the jury will chose in favor of Tom. The reverend explains to him that he “ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man” (279). This shows readers how colored people in this time are aware of just how bad racism is and there is nothing they can do about it. They are treated unfairly and it effects all African Americans as well as society. When it was time for the verdict of the trial, Scout knows that a jury does not look at a man they have just convicted. When the jury comes in “not one of them looked at Tom Robinson” (282). This is a devastating moment in the book because readers know that the verdict will have Tom as guilty, even though he is not. This teaches students how no matter how clear the verdict is, the jury in this time will always lean on the side of the white man. Throughout the novel, readers are taught the extremity of racism in this time and its effect on people and society. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, many lessons are taught through Scout and Jem’s experiences as well as through the racism in the time of the book. Scout and Jem learn things like maturity and confidence, and teach readers to be and strive for the same. Racism is prominent in the novel and also teaches readers about how extreme racism is and how it affects people and their lives greatly. With these things among others, the novel To Kill a Mockingbird should be taught in schools, and stay in the high school curriculum.