To Kill A Mockingbird

"Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live." - Gustave Flaubert

You know, there's is a 'thought' in my life, a single second in part of my day, that I find frequently flutters across my brain. This 'thought' isn't complex, or without reason. It usually occurs when I see someone make a rather terrible choice. A choice that dictates their morals, and how their human compass is adjusted. This thought is simple: If more people in this world behaved like Atticus Finch, the world would be a grander and more beautiful place.

I've read a lot of quotes from famous authors and philosophers that pretty much equates to a single message, this message is along the lines of, "we take meaning away from what we read". Well I couldn't agree more. For me, this book is To Kill A Mockingbird, a book so full of heart, joy and sadness that it would be impossible to read and not learn anything. The book still holds the title of 'favourite book' in my opinion and so much of that book inspired me, taught me and, if anything, helped me understand the world a little better.

"Shoot all the bluejays you want if you can hit 'em, but remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird". A famous quote from the book pretty much single handedly sums up the book's meanings and themes, but I'll talk about those later. To Kill A Mockingbird was published in 1960 by Harper Lee. The year after, 1961, saw the novel win a Pulitzer Prize, and the year after that, 1962, a film was made to honour the glory and popularity of the book. The film was also a huge hit, winning three Oscars. Since then the book has continued to sell in mass quantities and is a popular book used for teaching in schools, particularly for English. The book is highly influential and is read, and re-read by millions. In 2006 British librarians even rated To Kill A Mockingbird above the Bible, in books that should be read before you die. 

To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama of America and takes place in the times of "The Great Depression". The book is narrated by an adult Scout Finch as she recounts the days of her youth when she was six years of age. Living with her brother Jem, and her widowed Father Atticus, the book details a few years of her life and follows her going to school and growing up. The story is split up into three parts. The first follows Scout's and Jem's interest in 'Boo Radley' a resident of the street where they live. 'Boo Radley' never leaves his house and because of this rumours soon circulate about why he is such a recluse. Rumours of violence and family breakdown. These rumours start Scout and Jem off in search of the truth, whilst Atticus relentlessly tells them that they should mind their own business, and that it isn't right to intrude on other people's lives in such a way.

The Second part of the book focuses on the court case. Tom Robinson is accused of raping a man's daughter. Atticus is assigned to defending Tom Robinson, and although most of the town do not think Atticus should take the case due to Robinson's race, Atticus does so anyway. Atticus believes in Tom Robinson's innocence, and throughout the case, Scout and Jem watch Atticus in the court room. It's in this part of the book that you start to see what kind of man Atticus is. A man who does what he thinks is right, and stands up for what he believes in. The book is set in the 1930's so racism is very prominent. Therefore, most of the town think that Atticus defending Tom Robinson is an insult to Bob Ewell, the man who's daughter is raped. Bob Ewell also thinks this. 


My favourite scene in the book is during this part. It's the middle of the court hearings and Robinson is being kept in a prison cell in the town. A mob turn up to his cell looking to do some vigilante justice only to be confronted by Atticus on his own. Atticus' strength and courage stop the mob in their tracks and force them to retire when the sheriff makes an appearance. That scene alone holds so much power, it's hard to explain why. Mainly it's because of Atticus' calm when he confronts an entire mob out for murder, but it's also because Atticus never falters on his quest for justice. Standing up for Tom Robinson's innocence until the end. A true man that does not judge a man by the colour of his skin, but by the actions he commits.

The finale is set on a dark night. Bob Ewell follows Scout and Jem home and tries to attack them when they are saved by a mysterious stranger. I won't say too much in case you, the reader, have not read the book. But know that the ending is fantastic in every way. It brings all the issues together and addresses them in a way that is truly beautiful.

To Kill A Mockingbird is beautiful. It addresses issues of class, gender roles, courage and racial injustice. The main protagonist, Atticus, has morals so perfect that the man could simply do no wrong. It's difficult to explain how Atticus acts and teaches his children about life. But the way he lives and speaks is that of a true man. One that doesn't judge another based on stereotypes and social creations, a man that doesn't follow the footsteps of others and acts the way they want him to act. Here is my favourite quote from Atticus in response to Jem's questioning about what the town think about him defending Tom Robinson: 

"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

It's that sort of attitude that makes Atticus such a role model. The quote I mentioned earlier ("Shoot all the bluejays you want if you can hit 'em, but remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird") sums up the book beautifully. Atticus tells Jem that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because of their innocence. Atticus says "mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy". In the book the mockingbird represents innocence. And the three mockingbird's of the book happen to be Boo Radley, Tom Robinson & Atticus Finch, all of whom are innocent people mistreated by societies demeaning tools such as racism and gossip. But it's their courage and determination and belief to never give up that really touches you and teaches you that negativity in the world is something you should try to prevent, not create.


I truly cannot put into words how inspiring this book was to me, maybe if you've read it you'll understand. But if you haven't I would advise giving it a go. It might be as inspiring to you as it was to myself.