This is definitely a brilliant piece of work. Prior to reading, I knew nothing of what it's about. As always, when I decide to read a book, I'll go straight into it. Usually would look for reviews or google search only once I'm done reading. From a brief internet search right after finishing the book, I am surprised to find out that Harper Lee is a woman and To Kill a Mockingbird is partly an autobiographical. It's embarrassing and I totally have too much to learn. The story is written from the perspective of a little girl of nine and I should have guessed that at least most of it is based on lives actually lived. I have always been attracted to read stories written from the era of early 1990s and this one is not a let down. It's no wonder that when the novel was published in 1960, it became hugely successful right to winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature.
From the moment I read the dedication page, "For Mr Lee and Alice, In consideration of Love & Affection. Lawyers, I suppose, were children once: Charles Lamb", I was already hooked. I have always thought about becoming a lawyer if there is such thing as a second chance in life. One very lawyer-y wisdom shared by Scout Finch (Jean Louise) which I like very much is this, something she had on her mind during the court hearing of Tom Robinson ..."Never, never, never on cross examination ask a witness a question you don't already know the answer to, was a tenet I absorbed with my baby food. Do it, and you'll often get an answer you don't want, an answer that might wreck your case".
Another of my favourite is the definition of 'democracy' given by Scout in answer to her teacher, "Equal rights for all, special privileges for none".
Most of the narration is based on the experience of three children, so innocent and full of non-hypocrite thoughts and actions. However, the main or one of the most important events in the story in my opinion is the trial of Tom Robinson, a colored man accused of raping a white girl. Though the trial was narrated within just one or two chapters, I think it is the heart of this novel. I truly hoped for the jury to pass the not guilty verdict but nope, it's probably too far fetched, during that year of 1935 it is at least. And then there is Boo Radley, a gentle but seemingly tormented man who "...stayed shut up in the house all this time... because he wants to stay inside" (Jem).
There are so many great statements especially made by Scout, Atticus and her brother Jem all over the story.
There was also short exchange of conversation between Scout and her teacher and later between she and her father and further later between she and Jem of her confusion about why is it okay for folks to hate Hitler ...."how can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home...". She didn't get satisfactory answers and Jem has furiously ordered her to stop that train of thoughts....I would love to know the answers too.
Excellent novel this is. You've got to read it.
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