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My question was a bit rhetorical - I am questioning what the author is trying to get across. Is she advocating bending the rules? But only in the case of white people? In my case, as a reader, her stance on this is not clear, and I don't think any explanation on her behalf would make it any clearer. Perhaps she needs to answer this question herself.
I can't speak for her, but I don't think she's advocating so much as she's simply showing life the way it was for her. Steinbeck said the best literature simply holds up a mirror to mankind so we can get a good look at ourselves.
According to a biography I read about Lee, the trial is based on a real trial in a nearby town in which three black men were hanged for raping a white woman despite exculpatory evidence. Boo and others, Atticus included, are based on people she knew, the most famous of whom is Dill, who is based on Truman Capote. Then, of course there's Scout, Lee's doppelganger.
I agree with the above comment. I suspect part of your trouble is the way you are approaching the novel. I don't believe it has a "moral". I think, rather, it's a coming-of-age or slice-of-life novel that shows us what life might have been like for one young girl in one specific time and place. Certainly much of it is based on HL's life and growing up experiences.
I don't think Boo's color is very relevant - he had to be white to be Scout's next-door neighbor. Despite his color, he is vulnerable as TR was vulnerable, to the cruelty of people.
I think it also highlights the difference between the law and true justice. Sometimes what is just is not "fair in the eyes of the law".
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Jocelyn
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May 07, 2015 05:54PM
My question was a bit rhetorical - I am questioning what the author is trying to get across. Is she advocating bending the rules? But only in the case of white people? In my case, as a reader, her stance on this is not clear, and I don't think any explanation on her behalf would make it any clearer. Perhaps she needs to answer this question herself.
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I can't speak for her, but I don't think she's advocating so much as she's simply showing life the way it was for her. Steinbeck said the best literature simply holds up a mirror to mankind so we can get a good look at ourselves.According to a biography I read about Lee, the trial is based on a real trial in a nearby town in which three black men were hanged for raping a white woman despite exculpatory evidence. Boo and others, Atticus included, are based on people she knew, the most famous of whom is Dill, who is based on Truman Capote. Then, of course there's Scout, Lee's doppelganger.
I agree with the above comment. I suspect part of your trouble is the way you are approaching the novel. I don't believe it has a "moral". I think, rather, it's a coming-of-age or slice-of-life novel that shows us what life might have been like for one young girl in one specific time and place. Certainly much of it is based on HL's life and growing up experiences. I don't think Boo's color is very relevant - he had to be white to be Scout's next-door neighbor. Despite his color, he is vulnerable as TR was vulnerable, to the cruelty of people.
I think it also highlights the difference between the law and true justice. Sometimes what is just is not "fair in the eyes of the law".
