Go Set a Watchman in MCLS Reading Challenge

Jul 27, 2015 Claire Talbot rated it really liked it

I'm glad that I read this book without re-reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. It was interesting to read it and recognize certain story lines that her publisher must have pulled and said "Here - work on the this instead - this story needs to be developed and told". I think "Go Set a Watchman" would make a great book discussion choice. There are so many things to discuss. My own thoughts is Harper's thought process was a little ahead of her time - I am not sure anyone in the late 1950' I'm glad that I read this book without re-reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. It was interesting to read it and recognize certain story lines that her publisher must have pulled and said "Here - work on the this instead - this story needs to be developed and told". I think "Go Set a Watchman" would make a great book discussion choice. There are so many things to discuss. My own thoughts is Harper's thought process was a little ahead of her time - I am not sure anyone in the late 1950's or early 1960's was ready for a real look in the mind of how a Southern Man really felt about race. Although disturbing (warning: lots of "N" words flying around this book), I feel it was a pretty accurate portrayal of the patronizing way whites looked at blacks in the South. What also disturbed me is the way Lousie's (Scout's) family viewed her relationship with her long time childhood friend, and serious boyfriend - Henry. Although he overcame family adversity, worked like a dog through school, and eventually went to law school and started practicing law with Atticus, he was viewed as an unsuitable husband candidate because he came from "white trash". Henry's painful revelation to Scout that "people in this town accept your odd behavior and peculiarities, but they will never accept my behaving that way because I am not a Finch". Although the ending got a little convoluted for me, I think the process of learning your parent/hero is human is an interesting one. How do you come to terms with your parents mistakes? Beliefs that are different from your own? Atticus was not the hero in this book - I viewed him as being a typical upper class white Southern man of his times. Jean Louise (Scout) was a very conflicted character - she loved the South, but had trouble fitting in. She did not feel like she totally fit in with NYC society, either. She had doubts of marrying anyone, and her ability to be a successful and happy Southern housewife and mother. These thoughts were probably way too liberating and futuristic for Harper Lee's potential audience. All in all, I enjoyed the book, and now plan to reread "To Kill a Mockingbird" and will view it in an entirely new way thanks to reading "Go Set a Watchman". ...more

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