To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
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Book Reviews of To Kill a Mockingbird
Book Review: A great book
Summary: 5 Stars
Different people view the same events in different ways. In Harper Lee's novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird", similar occurrences are interpreted in a wide variety because of beliefs, morals and values. These non-uniform perspectives are what make each character so tangible.Every event that occurs in the novel is trans scripted through the eyes of Scout Finch. Each character perspective, therefore, becomes an aspect of her point of view. Her brother's courage is an excellent example of this. "Jem was a born hero", pronounces a simple opinion of how Jem is deep down being admired by Scout, even though the two often have trouble getting along. It is the subconscious bonds between the two that keep them from slipping away when times get rough. However, Scout is seldom pleased about her brother's journey into manhood. When Calpurnia tells Scout that Jem is just about Mr. Jem, Scout scoffs "He ain't that old. All he needs is someone to beat him up, and I ain't big enough", rationalizing how Scout respects her brother, yet the respect will not extend so far as to consider him an equal to any adults. To Scout, Jem just requires assistance in assuring him he's not as old as he thinks. Scout just isn't up to the challenge. However, because Scout has such a strong admiration for her brother, much of his masculinity rubs off. This is also due to the fact that Scout never had a true mother. Most displeased with Scout's un-ladylike behavior is Aunt Alexandria, who becomes aggravated when she learns that Scout wants to be friends with a poor, uneducated Cunningham. "You're enough of a problem to your father as it is", demonstrates Aunt Alexandria's quest to make Scout behave in a more feminine way only leads to more static between the two. Scout clearly has an agenda all her own. Not Alexandria, not Jem, not even Atticus can change her attitude.
Atticus is a father, a lawyer, and a human being. But in many ways, he is more than all of those. To Miss Maudie, he is a symbol of respect and gratitude. "Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right" exemplifies how Miss Maudie's intelligence enables her to take everything Atticus does that she may not agree with, and respect him for daring to accomplish the things no other man could challenge. Atticus could just as well give up on the trial, or stop caring, but his will is too strong. He could never allow himself to betray another man. When the townspeople send Atticus their gifts of redemption, Atticus, while impressed, must also say "They must never do this again. Times are too hard", demonstrating Atticus, while he is obviously being respected, holds an equal respect for the people of Maycomb. He knows that it wasn't easy for so many of the families to show how grateful they were. In this way, Atticus shows he has humility for everything he does. Because of his pending antiviolence beliefs, Atticus rarely becomes angry. Instead, he forces himself to realize that as horrible as people sometimes seem, they're still human. "If spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I will gladly take", describes the father's best method of defense is to not lower himself to the level of Bob Ewell. By doing this, Atticus can avoid a serious complication, while standing up for his personal beliefs and keeping his dignity. More people than he may realize approve his courage and honesty. Miss Maudie's appreciation runs farther than anyone else, even Atticus' own family. She has nothing but praise for every action he makes. "If Atticus Finch drank until he was drunk he wouldn't be as hard as some men are at their best", associates the fact that if the worst of Atticus could suddenly be brought out of him, if his superiority began to deteriorate, if he was no longer the cunning, respectful man he was, he would still be a better man than a person like Bob Ewell could ever become. This statement proves that no one is as proud of Atticus as Miss Maudie. And yet, Atticus very rarely shows that he is proud of himself. "If I didn't [defend Tom Robinson] I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldnt even tell you or Jem not to do something again" is a perfect example of a summary of Atticus' beliefs and values. He must defend a man with no hopes of winning against a racist jury and a clever lawyer while attempting to keep his dignity and father two growing children. Will he gain a sense of accomplishment from all this? Perhaps. The feeling that the right thing has been done? Probably. Just proving that he did the best he could, and that he tried his hardest? Definitely. That is his only reward, but for Atticus it is more than enough.
Book Review: Forever A Part of Your Personal Library
Summary: 5 Stars
Atticus Finch, the unforgettable protagonist of Harper Lee's masterpiece, To Kill A Mockingbird, provides the premise for the novel early on when he states to his daughter, Scout, "You never really know about another person until you walk around in his skin for a while and feel it. Then you start to see what life is like from his eyes." Told in the first person, the book is narrated by eight-year-old Jean-Louse "Scout" Finch, a motherless tomboy, who encounters many adventures and learns several lessons in the rural town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. With Scout's elder brother, Jem, by her side, she struggles to accept the racial and economic barriers which had, for too long, separated the townspeople of Maycomb. To Kill A Mockingbird is a love letter to a community steeped in hypocrisy and injustice; the novel suggests that the chains of the Old South would eventually change due, in part, to individuals such as Scout's sagacious and determined father, Atticus. When Scout's father, a local prominent attorney, agrees to defend a local Negro worker accused of raping a white woman, Scout begins to recognize the cancer that has all but choked Maycomb out of existence. As a result of the trial Scout loses her innocence and gains the wisdom that despite ancient grudges it is time for a change in Maycomb. Characterization is a vital ingredient to the success of To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee breathes life into all of her characters; she provides them with not only an outward appearance that rings true, but with also a motivation to every action that is plausible because the author makes the reader walk in each character's shoes. The novel possesses as many memorable figures as any other novel in American history. In particular, Scout, who narrates the book, is transformed from a highly naive and impulsive little girl to a perceptive and sensitive individual by novel's end. Jem, Scout's brother, converts from boyhood to manhood and gains a new respect an understanding for his surroundings. Unlike his children, Atticus remains remarkably true to his character throughout Lee's memoir. His character is so unforgettable that he remains as the most conspicuous role model for both fathers and lawyers in American literature forty years after the publication of the book. Another memorable figure in the novel, Tom Robinson, is a hardworking, caring, and honest "Negro" who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Tom symbolizes the plight of all African Americans at the time where prejudice and injustice were commonplace. Perhaps the most compelling figure in Lee's work is the mysterious phantom of the town, Arthur Radley. He remains inside his house down the street from the Finches', a recluse who is neither seen nor heard. Arthur, better known as "Boo", provides the basis for many rumors and stories that keep the gossips guessing in the small community. "Boo" is thus held responsible for many ills and faults of the town. The mystery of "Boo" dominates the imagination and nightmares of Scout and Jem. The characters of the novel contain weaknesses as well as strengths. Lee's novel possesses accurate points of view for the time period that adds to the incredible realism that is conveyed through each individual's personality. Harper Lee's descriptive style provides the reader with remarkable characters and remarkable settings. The attention Lee focuses on small details brings To Kill a Mockingbird to life. Most scenes are enhanced by strong dialogue; dialogue that is particularly evident in the riveting courtroom scene that stays with the reader long after he or she has put it down. An example of Harper Lee's vibrant prose can be found when she sets the scene for 1933 Maycomb: "Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then: a black dog suffered on a summer's day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sweltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men's stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after three-o'clock naps, and by nightfall were soft like teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum." The several themes communicated through Harper Lee's brilliant plausible characters tie the novel together creating a beautiful masterpiece. A classic that ten years from now you will be able to pick up again and enjoy even more the second or third time. I am thankful to Harper Lee for allowing me to imagine walking around in the shoes of her characters.Book Review: To Kill A Mockingbird: A book of Symbolism
Summary: 5 Stars
To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb Country. It is a small town where everyone knows each other and is fairly close. The book is told in first person from Scout Finch's point of view. Her, her brother Jem and her father Atticus Finch live in a house in Maycomb with their black servant Calpurina. Atticus, who is a lawyer, is hired to defend a black man in court who was accused for raping a white women. Although Atticus is uneasy about defending the man, he knows it is the right thing to do, although the whole town talks about him behind is back for years to come, calling him a n**** lover. Thefamily finds out what it is like, to stand up for what you believe in. This is somewhat hard for Scout and Jem because of their short tempers however they try their best to be the
better person and look away when people call their father names. The book also shows Jem and Scout and how they grow up over the years with exciting tales, adventures and
journeys. Their memories and tales are irreplaceable. Most of this excitement is over the summer with their friend Dill, who comes to Maycomb every summer to stay with his
aunt. The three children go about the years, wondering about the mysteries of Boo Radley the Finch's neighbor, who hasn't been seen to anyone in the town in many years, rumor
has it he is dead. Together they encounter childhood adventures, which don't seem so dramatic when they grow up, however at the time were very important. The main focus in the book is on the loss of innocence and also bravery.
This book is extremely well written, and has many strengths. One technique used in Harper Lee's writing that is extremely effective is symbolism. In fact, it is such a big
part of Lee's writing that even the title of her book is the united symbol throughout the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird is a very meaningful phrase in the book. For example when
they explain why you should never kill a mockingbird in the middle of the book,"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't next in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." The mockingbird represents innocence throughout the novel. Since the basic theme is the loss of innocence, the characters are
saying that you should never loose the innocence, kill an innocent bird. In the book so many things end up to be not as innocent, so different then they are thought to be in the
beginning. For example the town of Maycomb was such a sweet little innocent town. Everyone was friendly, it was the perfect life. However in the ending we realize that truly
Maycomb and the people who did live there were not so innocent, but in fact extremely racist. This entire part of the book that makes you wonder about what the title and the theme really do mean, is a great strength in the book.
Another strength in To Kill a Mockingbird is the ending. So many different events occur in the book and the ending ties everything together. The ending is not happy,
however it gives you a reassurance that everything is going to be all right and there are almost no unanswered questions. Even Scout who is still but a child has many of her
questions about life almost figured out, and has been throughout many experiences people her age might never be in. "As I made my way home I thought, Jem and I would get grown but there wasn't much else left for us to learn, except possibly algebra."
This book did not have many weaknesses at all. The beginning is a little slow moving however. For example some things are explained in detail that have no meaning to
the plot or story line. For example some of the scenes at school , and some of the scenes over their first summers with Dill. Other than that there are no weaknesses.
Over all, I think this was one of the best novels I have ever read. Not only does it have a wonderful and in depth plot, but the characters in it seem like you could be there
friends. They are described with so much detail, that when you are done reading, you want to read more about what happens to them. For example does Scout ever become ladylike, and do more people in the town except Atticus for defending the Negro, Tom Robinson in court. After reading this novel you feel like you can do anything you put your heart to, and you can stand up for what you believed. This is so because every character does this
sometime in the book.
Book Review: A Moving Reading of a Wonderful Book by Roses Prichard
Summary: 5 Stars
Like many youngsters, I was assigned To Kill a Mockingbird to read as a 15 year old. Unlike most, however, the assignment was for speed reading class . . . rather than American Literature.
Don't ever read this book for speed reading class.
I always intended to get back to the book for a more leisurely reading that would allow me to take in the obvious brilliance of Harper Lee in more ways. I was pleased to find that my local library offered an unabridged reading by Roses Prichard (an actress with a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Southern California) for Books on Tape.
In the first 15 seconds, I knew I had made a winning choice. Roses Prichard turns Scout (Jean Louise) Finch into a girl you'll feel like you've known all your life. Take the time to find this wonderful recording: You'll discover more in this book than you've ever thought could be in a book describing the thoughts and experiences of a five- to eight-year-old narrator.
Jem and Scout Finch are the only children of Atticus Finch, a highly principled lawyer in the small Southern town of Macomb, Alabama, whose wife died young of a heart attack. Unlike many novelists who cram their story into a few hours or days, Harper Lee showed the good sense to give us the family history and to let the children grow up over a few years before entering the heart of her tale. It's good story-telling and is great for character development.
Jem is five years older than Scout but tolerates her company as long as she doesn't start acting like a girl. That's fine with Scout who prefers overalls to dresses any day. As Jem grows older, he finds himself taking on the role of protector as well.
The children acquire a summer friend, Dill, and decide they want to meet the reclusive Arthur (Boo) Radley, a neighbor who always stays indoors. They have many adventures that will remind you of Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher in Injun Joe's cave.
The book is written in pre-Civil-Rights-era Alabama when consciousness of the bad things done to African Americans wasn't very well developed among those who weren't African Americans. The only people in the story who seemed to appreciate the full horror of discrimination are those who are honestly trying to live the Christian life. But even many practicing Christians proved to be blind to their African American neighbors' needs and concerns.
Harper Lee does a fine job of skewering all of those who are hypocrites on the subject of race. She even takes an appropriate shot at northerners who avoid the company of African Americans.
In a way, this book was The Uncle Tom's Cabin of the Civil Rights Movement, developing the consciousness that helped to change some attitudes towards African Americans.
The story also features lots of insights into Southern "justice" of the day -- inside the court, in the jury box, in jail, and in prison. To bring the evils of the attitudes to bear, Harper Lee tells us that it's wrong to kill a mockingbird . . . they only sing for us to enjoy and don't do any harm. By the end of the book, some of those in Macomb begin to feel that way about harmless human beings who do good, as well.
You can learn more about Southern culture and attitudes in the early 1960s by reading this book than by studying a dozen nonfiction texts. Harper Lee got it right. One of the lightning rods for racial tension in those days was unwarranted sexual fear of African-American males. That theme is fully developed through having an African-American be accused of raping a white woman.
But what I think makes this book timeless is its focus on what it means to be a good person . . . the story of Atticus Finch and his struggles with being both a good man and a good father.
But years from now you won't forget Scout: She's one of the great heroines in American literature and an important prototype of what the next generation should have become in loving other people.
Appreciate the untapped potential all around you!
Book Review: Timeless Classic Prevails Over Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I was not exactly interested in a book so old that both of my parents had read it. It had never occurred to me that a book written almost half a century ago could actually be entertaining, but To Kill A Mockingbird was an exception. I was intrigued by this powerful piece of literature that had touched the lives of millions of readers. After having enjoyed the book, I went out and rented the Academy-Award winning film that was also considered a classic. Could the film really capture the book in all of its essence? I had never seen a film that had actually been better that the book, but I gave it a try. Overall, the film had been exceptionally good and had captured some very important and meaningful parts in a stunning and excellent manner. It had brought the action and emotion to life. Yet, as one would expect, the book was still superior to and more entertaining than the film.I have never liked the fact that filmmakers usually must exclude some small parts of the book save time, but normally I just let it go and enjoy the movie in all of its brilliance. I could have done the same when viewing To Kill A Mockingbird the film, but the filmmakers had cut out some outstanding parts that had great significance in the book. I was annoyed that they had cut so many parts. For example, in the book, Miss Maudie's house catches fire and an old fire truck, killed by the cold, is pushed from town by a group of men. All the men of Maycomb bring Miss Maudie's furniture out of the house and onto a yard across the street as the flames devour Miss Maudie's home. In the midst of all of this emergency, as Scout and Jem watch in awe, Boo Radley comes up behind Scout and puts a blanket around her without her even knowing it until later that night when Atticus sees it. Still, Scout and Jem are not convinced that Boo Radley could ever be a kind person, let alone a friend of theirs. This part shows Jem and Scout still not being able to see the real Boo Radley, both physically and mentally.
The film also did not include many of the small details that illustrate the fact that Jem and Scout are growing up. The book shows some evidence that Scout and Dill are "engaged" and are to be married when the time comes. However, the film only portrays the two as being merely friends. Also, the film gives no mention of Aunt Alexandra, Atticus' sister, who wants Scout to become more of a sophisticated young woman and takes action when she invites Scout to a tea party that is only took part in by the mature and experienced women of Maycomb. Alexandra also has some arguments with Atticus about not to letting Scout "run wild". The latter parts of the book suggest that Jem is becoming a young man. He becomes slightly grouchy and less kind to Scout and begins to grow hair under his arms. The film disregards these details that contributed so much to the meaning and quality of the book. The book suggests that, during Mr. Gilmer's (Mr. Ewell's lawyer's) cross-examination of Tom Robinson, Scout and Jem take Dill out of the courtroom when Dill starts to cry because he is disgusted by Mr. Gilmer's arrogant attitude toward Tom Robinson. The three children begin to realize the hatred and inhumanity of the world they live in. The film completely ignores the fact that Scout is trying to deal with all the problems of the growing up and maturing of herself and others in the book.
To Kill A Mockingbird the film had never really matched intensity that the book had so often portrayed. The film never touched the core of all human behavior and dignity. However, I was not disappointed or surprised that the film had never reached the level of passion and heartrending that the book had. A film can never reach that level of authenticity and heart. It will only try and fail. Today, To Kill A Mockingbird may be, to some, a book too old and dull to find enjoyment in, but that, in any circumstance, will never be true with an enduring masterpiece such as this.