To Kill a Mockingbird: A Review
Author: Harper Lee
Main Characters: Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, Dill Harris, Boo Radley, Tom Robinson
As I first opened the pages of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” I was immediately transported to the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. The book, an exploration of racial prejudice and innocence lost, paints a vivid picture of the American South in the 1930s. As a nature enthusiast, I found the detailed descriptions of the Finch’s surroundings – from the quiet streets of Maycomb to the ominous Radley house – captivating.Setting and Theme
Lee masterfully utilises the setting to accentuate the themes of prejudice, injustice, and loss of innocence. Just as a mockingbird’s innocent song is drowned out by the noise of human activity, the innocence of the book’s young characters is overshadowed by the harsh realities of their world.
The narrative is told through the perspective of Scout Finch, a tomboyish six-year-old who is unaware of the complexities of race and social class. Her naïveté is a stark contrast to the discrimination and prejudice that pervade Maycomb.
Plot and Characters
The plot centres around Scout and her older brother Jem’s discovery of their town’s intolerance when their father Atticus, a lawyer, defends a black man falsely accused of rape. Like Scout, we as readers are repeatedly confronted with the harsh realities of injustice and prejudice.
Character development is evident in the story, notably in Jem and Scout, who, despite their initial innocence, are forced to confront a prejudiced society. The children’s transformation throughout the novel is a reflection of the loss of purity and the cruel awakening to reality.
Relationships and Symbolism
The relationships between the characters provide a deeper understanding of the recurring themes. The friendship between Scout, Jem, and their summer companion Dill Harris reveals the innocence of childhood. Similarly, their fascination with their reclusive neighbour Boo Radley, who later becomes their hero before disappearing into his house forever, symbolises their loss of innocence.
Of significant note is the powerful symbol of a mockingbird, which Lee uses to signify innocence. Atticus advises his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, as they only make music for people to enjoy. This is paralleled in the characters of Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, whose innocence is destroyed by the prejudice and suspicion of Maycomb’s citizens.
FAQ
Why is To Kill a Mockingbird considered a classic?
To Kill a Mockingbird is considered a classic due to its timeless exploration of human nature, societal prejudices, and the loss of innocence, which continue to be relevant today.
Who killed the mockingbird in the story?
The “mockingbird” is symbolic in the story. The two characters that metaphorically represent the mockingbird – Boo Radley and Tom Robinson – suffer from the intolerance and prejudice of society. While Tom is killed physically, Boo’s character is killed in the sense of being deeply misunderstood and ostracised by society.
Final Thoughts
To Kill a Mockingbird is a profound classic, a powerful exploration of human nature and society. Harper Lee uses the façade of a sleepy southern town to explore universal themes that resonate deeply with readers, making the novel an enduring piece of literature. We need to keep teaching and discussing To Kill a Mockingbird – for its exploration of prejudice, its moral lessons, and its reminder that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.
