To Kill a Mockingbird
discussion
Lit Crit Question
date
newest »

message 1:
by
Samuel
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 11:02AM)
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Apr 26, 2007 07:23PM

reply
|
flag


If you see something in the novel, there's nothing invalid about that. Reading is, after all, about constructing new meaning from a text.
I'm teaching this book to my 7th graders and they're always finding interesting new things.
On a more personal and less academic note, I love this book - I think the world would be a better place if everyone kept a copy on their nightstands, you know?
It's too bad most people leave it behind in grade school.





I think you may have a point. Harper Lee was a master of symbolism in her only and last book. I do think, however, that there may be more of a connection between Tom Robinson and Jim from Huck Finn. Each man was a pure and loving man in the world only to be persecuted by the evils of a racist society. Boo Radley represented the child-like mind of a person who saw beyond color, and for many reasons; made his own self-conscious conclusions about the human race without the evil influences of others.
I instructed this book for years in a high school classroom, and you are the first that made that observation. Great Job!
Off course there is the symbol of the Mockingbird, but there is much more to the novel than "It's a sin to kill" such a wonderful creature--a gift from God.


I agree Kevin, but I will also add that these types of prejudices are taught. My parents WHERE extremely racist only because their parents taught them so.
But wait! I was taught the same. And I chose not to teach prejudice to my own child. SO...YOU ARE CORRECT! It start with the individual--great point!

I read "Mockingbird" by Charles J. Shields and the impression that I was left with is that Ms. Lee wrote a book about a man that she very much admired - her father - and that Atticus Finch is a portrait of him. Bo Radley is also, I believe, either a real person or rendering of a few personalities from her childhood.
For me, when I read the book, I see each of these characters as real people and don't know that we need to ask ourselves if they are a metaphor of anything.
That doesn't mean, however, that I am Kevin's person who does not read past the words. I guess what I am trying to say is that, maybe we don't need to dive in and look for a hidden meaning and perhaps the scruitiny of people looking for a meaning where none was intended is what has prevented Ms. Lee from publishing another book.
I think it would be rather intimidating if I set out to tell a simple story and suddenly people all over started to attach their own meaning to my words...

I believe that most authors, and artists, for that matter, create from experience instead of thinking about all the symbols. As human beings, I think we look for meaning in just about everythin - trying to understand this life. Even though the author might not have thought that way, does not, and should not dissuade the reader from looking for "meaning" or drawing some conclusions from what they read.
When we read, we start to ask questions in our heads. We should strive to answer them. This is why I love to read - some one is sharing something very personal with me, and it may entertain me, and it may disgust me, and it may cause me to think about something I have never thought about before - the important thing to me is it caused me to think. I don't have to like it, but if I am investing the time, I should try to understand it. Hopefully, by reading whatever it is makes me and others better, richer people.
Whether characters in a book or just reality, we all stand for something (sorry, sounds corny). Thank God that we are all so different! Makes things very interesting. I admire all artists who really tear out their hearts and souls for all to see. That's courage!
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic