To Kill a Mockingbird
Okay, here it is. The holy grail.
To Kill a Mockingbird was assigned reading in high school. I did the high school student thing and didn't really read the first half of the book (Part 1). I scanned it and then took tests (sorry, Mom). But, I think I actually read most of Part 2, but didn't take an actual interest in it. Later, in the summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years of college, I sat down and read the book again and loved it. I absolutely fell in love.
I take a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird with me whenever I go somewhere for an extended amount of time (Mexico, Korea), and just re-read it a week or so ago. Reading it always makes me feel homey and comfortable.
While there are critics who say Lee's writing was not the best (switching from an adult voice to a child's voice and using vocabulary and thoughts that really are too advanced for someone of Scout's age), I absolutely love it. While I see the critic's point, it somehow makes the book a little more special. You have someone who is retelling the story of their childhood, while looking at it from the adult's perspective. The importance of lessons are emphasized and told with the wisdom that was obviously gained from the lessons that were taught.
There are several other reasons I love this book. It tackles a huge, incredibly important topic (the mistreatment of blacks by a small southern town) by seeing it through a child's eyes, which relates the story as more human and humane. The father's lessons for his children are timeless, and given as simply that: lessons for his children.
My favorite parts of the book, though, are the comments and actions by Scout. As a little girl growing up in a Southern town, and being quite ornery, she can be hilarious and inspiring. One of the best moments happens toward the end of the story when she, as a stubborn tomboy, watches her aunt and her neighbor continue to host a women's missions tea even when they have heard horrible, horrible news. Scout says "After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I".
To Kill a Mockingbird was assigned reading in high school. I did the high school student thing and didn't really read the first half of the book (Part 1). I scanned it and then took tests (sorry, Mom). But, I think I actually read most of Part 2, but didn't take an actual interest in it. Later, in the summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years of college, I sat down and read the book again and loved it. I absolutely fell in love.
I take a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird with me whenever I go somewhere for an extended amount of time (Mexico, Korea), and just re-read it a week or so ago. Reading it always makes me feel homey and comfortable.
While there are critics who say Lee's writing was not the best (switching from an adult voice to a child's voice and using vocabulary and thoughts that really are too advanced for someone of Scout's age), I absolutely love it. While I see the critic's point, it somehow makes the book a little more special. You have someone who is retelling the story of their childhood, while looking at it from the adult's perspective. The importance of lessons are emphasized and told with the wisdom that was obviously gained from the lessons that were taught.
There are several other reasons I love this book. It tackles a huge, incredibly important topic (the mistreatment of blacks by a small southern town) by seeing it through a child's eyes, which relates the story as more human and humane. The father's lessons for his children are timeless, and given as simply that: lessons for his children.
My favorite parts of the book, though, are the comments and actions by Scout. As a little girl growing up in a Southern town, and being quite ornery, she can be hilarious and inspiring. One of the best moments happens toward the end of the story when she, as a stubborn tomboy, watches her aunt and her neighbor continue to host a women's missions tea even when they have heard horrible, horrible news. Scout says "After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I".
posted by Meghan at 9:28 PM
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