To Kill a Mockingbird - Opinion and Review

The first book I read this year was the classic, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. First published in 1960, the story takes place in a small town in Alabama, and is told from the perspective of Jean Louise (Scout), a young white girl. Her brother, Jem, and her father, Atticus, are he whole world, as she tries to navigate her way through life. She learns lessons about family, race, and life.

Scout is smart, strong, and very strong-willed. She clearly knows the difference between right and wrong and has no problem sticking up for what she believes in. This is extremely apparent when you see her relationship between her and the Finch's housekeeper, a black woman named Calpurnia. She is even able to show the compassion most adults can't even muster.

Today's climate is extremely pertinent to this novel. With the Black Lives Matter movement having surfaced mid 2020, this story speaks volumes. Atticus Finch was a lawyer who was representing Tom Robinson, a man who clearly was falsely accused of rape, but because he was black, his chances of acquittal were slim. Scout has a hard time comprehending this concept, and at a very young age, realizes how much things needed to change. While she was unable to make the change needed in the span of this book, you can tell that her life lessons as a young girl will help her change the world. I don't know if it exists, but I would love to read a book about Scout as an adult and the activism she takes part in.

The first time I read this book, I was in high school, and I believe now, more than ever, that while this book is extremely important to read, it shouldn't be read in a lower-level high school class. The dialect is difficult to follow at times, and the social issues discussed definitely are hard to grasp. I'm glad I read it again as an adult. It was an honor to experience. I rated the book 4 out of 5 stars. I would highly recommend.

Dates Read: December 26, 2020-January 3, 2021