Jason Jang / Staff reporter
In “To Kill a Mockingbird“, a book written by Harper Lee, the main characters learn about direct and indirect social discrimination, big and small, and grow by creating subjective values. In this novel, we can see how they respond and live in a world where irrational things act as if they are rational.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by author Lee that shows readers the racism and social prejudice that were problems in the 1960s. Acoording to the article father, Amasa Coleman Lee, was a lawyer and is said to have been inspired to write the book To Kill a Mockingbird after failing to defend an African-American man (father and son) accused of murdering a white store owner.
Lee tells the story with elements that can add a bright atmosphere to the story, such as the characters’ pleasant humor, touching lessons, and the characters’ mental growth, while keeping the theme alive. Therefore, despite the book dealing with dark and heavy topics, “To Kill a Mockingbird” shows that a wide range of age groups can enjoy the book, with the preferred age group being eleven to 18 years old.
-Atticus Finch from the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee“Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Book Info
The story begins with recalling Scout Finch’s early years in the little Alabaman town of Maycomb, Scout opens the story with talking about her life there with her older brother Jem and their widowed father, Atticus. They get interested by their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley, and make friends with a boy named Dill.
Racial tensions in the town rise as Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man, in court. A white-only jury accuses Tom despite strong evidence to the truth. As Scout, Jem, and Dill see the injustice, they find it difficult to comprehend the prejudice and hatred that surround them. They remain attracted by Boo Radley in between and eventually come to see him as a kind and misunderstood man.
When readers look at the cover of the book, of course the title that catches your eye the most is To Kill a Mockingbird. According to article in ThoughtCo., in the title To Kill a Mockingbird, the parrot can be said to be a symbol of purity.
In the book, the character Boo Radley, who can be seen as a parrot, is a recluse who is treated unfairly by the community even though he has never harmed anyone.
Likewise, Tom Robinson, an African-American man falsely accused of rape, is persecuted by the biased society in which he lives. So the title To Kill a Mockingbird suggests the killing and destruction of something pure. Killing a mockingbird is a sin because it is an unjustified and unnecessary act of violence. The novel is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of prejudice and how it can ruin the lives of innocent people.
The key aspects of “To Kill a Mockingbird” are its discussion of racial injustice and prejudice in the American South, ethics showed by characters such as Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem’s loss of innocence, the themes of compassion and empathy, the mockingbird’s symbolism, and its representation of family and community dynamics in Maycomb. Along with each other, all of these elements support the novel’s long-term relevance and its analysis of difficult moral and social concerns.
Reveiw
Readers can find great interest in the fact that vivid characters deliver powerful social criticism by showing persuasive words and actions in realistic situations.
Overall, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is an important reminder of the significance of morality, compassion, and justice in the face of social injustice. Readers of many ages and cultures are still attracted to its timeless truths.
In particular, in Tom Robinson’s trial, which is the highlight of the story, there was no difficulty in conveying the important lessons of the story with a clear development, and the overall pace of the story is not slow, so many readers can enjoy this book as it is not boring.
Conclusion
“To Kill a Mockingbird” ends in a way that leaves readers feeling both hopeful and depressed. Tom Robinson’s trial results in an unfair verdict, even with Atticus Finch’s passionate defense. The wide-spread hatred and bias of the day is reflected in Tom’s arrest for a crime he did not commit.
The loss of innocence that Scout and Jem go through as they face the harsh truths of prejudice and injustice is also highlighted in the novel’s conclusion. Scout gets a better understanding of the mysteries of human nature as well as the value of compassion and empathy. In the conclusion, readers are encouraged to consider the themes’ continuing significance and to work for a society that is more inclusive and fair.
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The story inspired Harper Lee to write a book
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