From the Bookshelf of Should have read classics…

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Start date: September 1, 2011

Finish date: September 30, 2011

Discussion: Group Book Discussions

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Oct 09, 2010 Somdutta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

It is a sin to kill a Mocking bird, since it is harmless. It sings and spreads joy and thus it should be bothered. Mr Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer of Maycomb County defends a Thomas Robinson, who is black and is charged with the rape of the daughter of Bob Ewell. He was falsely accused since , it was Mayella's fault as she was keen on being intimate Thomas Robinson. She trapped Tom into helping her with a chore and took advantage of the situation. However, she was caught in the act and was It is a sin to kill a Mocking bird, since it is harmless. It sings and spreads joy and thus it should be bothered. Mr Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer of Maycomb County defends a Thomas Robinson, who is black and is charged with the rape of the daughter of Bob Ewell. He was falsely accused since , it was Mayella's fault as she was keen on being intimate Thomas Robinson. She trapped Tom into helping her with a chore and took advantage of the situation. However, she was caught in the act and was hit badly by her father. Tom fled from the site cause he was scared of the situation. The Ewells were despised by the entire county. They did not go to school, except for the first day of the session and were thus uneducated. They could not keep a job either and lived on the county check. They lived in despicable conditions. In other words, according to Atticus they were "white trash". But unfortunately after a court trial, the jury decided to charge Tom Robinson. Robinson, was later killed when he tried to flee from prison. It was a very unfortunate end to him. This affected the entire county. Jem was very touched and disturbed about this entire account.However Atticus had done his level best to bring justice to Tom and his family but on account of the prejudice that people held against coloured people, Atticus lost his case inspite of proving Bob Ewell a liar in court. Thomas Robinson is signified as a Mocking bird, since he was harmless fellow who only meant good. It was a sin to accuse him and kill him.
There is another interesting story of Mr Arthur Radley(Boo Radley). The Radley's do not go out much and are not very communicative with their neighbors. As a result , they are an object of immense curiosity of the children of Maycomb County. Scout, Jem and their friend Dill , who visited Maycomb during summer, were curious to have a peak in the Radley's house. The three children carried out various expeditions to have look at Boo. Since Boo, is an enigma to them, they imagine him to be harmful. But towards the end of the story we see, that it was Boo Radley who saved Jem, when Jem and Scout were attacked by Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell held a grudge against Atticus Finch for having fought in court for Thomas Robinson and took his revenge out on Finch's kids. Boo came to their rescue when they were attacked by Bob under the oak tree which was in front of the porch of the Radley household.Boo Radley had stabbed Bob Ewell with a kitchen knife. However a very quick thinking by sheriff Heck Tate, decided to keep Boo Radley out of the picture. Since Boo had done a favor to the county by eliminating a trash like Bob, the county women would want to show their thanks by bringing cakes and gifts to the Radley household. Since Boo was a shy person , the sheriff thought it would be best to leave Boo alone and to respect his privacy. Boo is also signified as a Mocking bird here. He does no harm to the county , rather he saves the Finch children.
There are a lot of quotes in this story that I like. My favorite and the most touching one are Scout's thoughts."Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between.Boo was our neighbor.He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives. But neighbors give in return. We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing, and it made me sad". ...more

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May 12, 2010 Danielle rated it did not like it

Not really worth reading, it is slow and boring. The characters themselves are ok i suppose.

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Aug 12, 2010 Amy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, used-in-bookclub, used-in-challenge

This is a wonderful book! I don't recall reading it in school, a thing a lot of people find hard to believe, all of my english teachers were a bit odd looking back a the years. Is a book I will be sure my kids read. Loved it! A truly well written book! ...more

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Mar 03, 2011 Shannon rated it really liked it

Wonderful classic. I had not read it before, and am glad I finally did. Very interesting, well written and easy to see why it is often quoted and referenced.

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