To Kill A Mockingbird is widely revered as a great book of the twentieth century (it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960), and rightfully so. This is the first time I have read this book and I think it has now become one of my favourites. I loved it's simplicity and how racial discrimination is dealt with in such a subtle but poignant way. The last few pages elegantly brought the story to its conclusion. It was beautifully complete, and being Lee's only novel it stands alone and the time and effort of the author is clear to see.
The story is told from the perspective of six year old Scout Finch, who is a lawyers daughter living in Alabama in the years of the Great Depression. There are distinctly two main parts of the story, in the first part Scout and her brother Jem go about life, meeting a new friend and hearing of the recluse Boo Radley. Boo's exploration as the story continues is enthralling, and makes me reconsider not judging a book by its cover. The second part of the story then, moves into the courtroom, with the case of Tom Robinson, a black man who stands accused of the rape of a young white girl. Atticus defends Tom well, but when it becomes clear he is innocent the jury find him guilty anyway. Tragically, Tom, the real mockingbird of the story, is shot whilst trying to escape from prison. It is also a tragically ironic moment when Bob Ewell is killed with his own knife.
I think the story speaks for itself in the way that the injustice is as plain as day, but is not obtrusive to the overall quality of the book. Being told though children's eyes it only intensifies the message, as they as innocent and honest, can essentially see that racism is not right or fair.
Monday's child
No comments:
Post a Comment