To Kill a Mockingbird
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel of great sweetness, humour, compassion, and of a mystery carefully sustained. It is memorable, vivid, has a gentle persuasive humor, and a glowing goodness. Harper Lee has carefully crafted a timeless classic of growing up and the human dignity that unites us all. The story has been told from the viewpoint of a young Alabama girl Jean Louise Finch or rather “Scout” as she was called. The main characters are Scout, her brother Jem, their playmate Dill, Calpurnia the cook and of course… Atticus Finch their father and the novel’s hero. This touching story mainly deals with the racial discrimination that existed in Alabama in those times through the eyes of an eight year old girl. Scout, Jem and Dill amuse themselves in various ways by imagining and fantasizing about their reclusive neighbors…..the Radleys. The story goes on as Atticus decides to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who is wrongly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. The whole society turns against Atticus due to this, as the racial hierarchy in Alabama in those times was very rigid. But Jem, Scout, Dill, Calpurnia and Miss Maudie Atkinson continue to remain unflinchingly loyal to Atticus. Throughout the entire story Arthur Radley, their neighbor remains a source of amusement to Jem, Scout and Dill; He is like a phantom to them. And when at last Scout comes face to face with him Scout understands his reason for remaining reclusive. The title is to signify that it is a great sin to kill a mockingbird. They do not trouble us in any way and only creates sweet music for our ears. We should not harm such selfless creatures. This book is an automatic page turner, which leaves us feeling warm and good when last page is turned. It deals about the human character and behavior in great depth and helps us realize and see our fellow human beings in a different way. This book is a guaranteed heart warmer and will continue to remain the reader’s evergreen favourite.
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