To Kill a Mockingbird
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So peaceful and adventurous and a dream place to live in.
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Hmmm....
I agree with you, Aditya, in that this is one of my favorite novels. I was "forced" to read TKAMB as a freshman in high school. I use the word "read" loosely. I absolutely h-a-t-e-d it with the passion of 10,000 burning suns. Exaggeration? What can I say? I was 14.
Well! I just re-read it for the first time back in April/May. Wow! If only I could have a little chat with my 14 year old self. So many of the points made me stop and think. Atticus, with his morality, will, attitude and the lessons he imparts to his children, through words and deeds, is phenomenal. Lee did an amazing job! In fact, in addition to adding to the world of literature, I think she helped move America toward the civil rights movement, for African-Americans and women.
I don't know that I'm with you regarding the setting being "wonderful" ... peaceful or dream-like, though. There is an idyllic, almost Normal Rockwell aspect, to this novel, so I see where you're coming from. But, when one really thinks about it, I think s/he would discover something else.
If memory serves, Lee describes the town as being rundown, not her word, I don't think. Old. While published in the '60's, the tale supposedly took place in the '30's, during the Great Depression, a sad and trouble-twisted time. We have discussions of poverty, the teacher trying to offer the student money for lunch ... that he could not pay back. School children having bugs. Men having to pay Atticus with food. In addition to the injustices dealt to African-Americans in the novel, there's also abuse, I think, in the case of Boo, strict gender roles and stereotypes, despite the fact that Scout fights against them, a fatherless little boy, Dill, who doesn't seem to fit in, gang mentality, and the old ways, which might be crippling the town, including how one decided who was society and worthy and who wasn't ... the term "white trash" wasn't used, but ....
I think Lee's writing style did something to gloss over these things, to a certain extent. You have the love between Jem and Scout, the wonderful and heart-warming scenes with Atticus, humorous scenes involving Atticus' brother, etc.... The reader could almost become lulled by all of that. In fact, that's quite symbolic, I think, of what happened in the Old South. There was the mystic. Oh, there was that. However, if you looked a little bit more closely, you soon discovered the underbelly. (I should say that's the case in all places and with life in general.)
I guess, in keeping with your idea, Aditya, I'd say this ....
It wasn't, on its own, a wonderful place to live in. It wasn't a peaceful place or a dream. Not in and of itself. But, the characters, characters like Atticus, had a choice. They could try, in the midst of a sad and, sometimes, horrific reality, to make their lives wonderful and peaceful and bring wonder and peace to those around them ... thereby achieving a dream. ;)
I agree with you, Aditya, in that this is one of my favorite novels. I was "forced" to read TKAMB as a freshman in high school. I use the word "read" loosely. I absolutely h-a-t-e-d it with the passion of 10,000 burning suns. Exaggeration? What can I say? I was 14.
Well! I just re-read it for the first time back in April/May. Wow! If only I could have a little chat with my 14 year old self. So many of the points made me stop and think. Atticus, with his morality, will, attitude and the lessons he imparts to his children, through words and deeds, is phenomenal. Lee did an amazing job! In fact, in addition to adding to the world of literature, I think she helped move America toward the civil rights movement, for African-Americans and women.
I don't know that I'm with you regarding the setting being "wonderful" ... peaceful or dream-like, though. There is an idyllic, almost Normal Rockwell aspect, to this novel, so I see where you're coming from. But, when one really thinks about it, I think s/he would discover something else.
If memory serves, Lee describes the town as being rundown, not her word, I don't think. Old. While published in the '60's, the tale supposedly took place in the '30's, during the Great Depression, a sad and trouble-twisted time. We have discussions of poverty, the teacher trying to offer the student money for lunch ... that he could not pay back. School children having bugs. Men having to pay Atticus with food. In addition to the injustices dealt to African-Americans in the novel, there's also abuse, I think, in the case of Boo, strict gender roles and stereotypes, despite the fact that Scout fights against them, a fatherless little boy, Dill, who doesn't seem to fit in, gang mentality, and the old ways, which might be crippling the town, including how one decided who was society and worthy and who wasn't ... the term "white trash" wasn't used, but ....
I think Lee's writing style did something to gloss over these things, to a certain extent. You have the love between Jem and Scout, the wonderful and heart-warming scenes with Atticus, humorous scenes involving Atticus' brother, etc.... The reader could almost become lulled by all of that. In fact, that's quite symbolic, I think, of what happened in the Old South. There was the mystic. Oh, there was that. However, if you looked a little bit more closely, you soon discovered the underbelly. (I should say that's the case in all places and with life in general.)
I guess, in keeping with your idea, Aditya, I'd say this ....
It wasn't, on its own, a wonderful place to live in. It wasn't a peaceful place or a dream. Not in and of itself. But, the characters, characters like Atticus, had a choice. They could try, in the midst of a sad and, sometimes, horrific reality, to make their lives wonderful and peaceful and bring wonder and peace to those around them ... thereby achieving a dream. ;)
Interesting comments on a masterpiece, Aditya, Shannon. I'd incline to Shannon's nuanced observations of the complexity of life in Macon County. There is the famed Southern gentility and hospitality, and the diametrically opposed infamy of white Southern bigotry. The portrait of the town is a mosaic. There is the racism that dominates the central story, of course, but there is also religious bigotry against freethinkers such as the neighbor Maudine (if memory serves). Remember, the KKK hated not only blacks, but also Jews and Catholics -- and, I would imagine, non-believers. And there certainly were some loathsome characters in the town, including Boo Radley's brother (or was it his father who was his guardian?) and any number of Ewell's. The complexity of Southern life, the surface gentility and the malice lurking beneath it in some cases, may be a reason for the profusion of great Southern writers -- there was so much rich life to write about!
Meanwhile, good lord, the film version is my candidate for best film adaptation of a great book ... ever!
Jon wrote: "The complexity of Southern life, the surface gentility and the malice lurking beneath it in some cases, may be a reason for the profusion of great Southern writers -- there was so much rich life to write about! "
Ha! Good point!
Ha! Good point!
It has been such a long time since I read this book I perhaps think I should read it again but I remember being deeply affected by this book, as a teenager I think a bolt of reality hit me that the world is not what I thought it was, I don't remember the actual story but remember crying often and being hit by a sadness that the world can for some people be very unkind. I'm having trouble actually picking this book up again I think I want to believe in hope for humanity and knidness to all.
Jettcatt wrote: "I think I want to believe in hope for humanity and knidness to all. "
While this book definitely has an underbelly, it also has an amazing character, Atticus Finch, who believes in hope for humanity and kindness for all. I promise. ;) I can't promise you won't see the bad and won't be troubled. But, you'll also see this phenomenal character who dares to take a stand and is committed to living his life in a way that is in keeping with what he holds dear and feels is right.
While this book definitely has an underbelly, it also has an amazing character, Atticus Finch, who believes in hope for humanity and kindness for all. I promise. ;) I can't promise you won't see the bad and won't be troubled. But, you'll also see this phenomenal character who dares to take a stand and is committed to living his life in a way that is in keeping with what he holds dear and feels is right.
Jettcatt, I echo Shannon's exhortation: yes, the world of the book is dark in many ways -- as was the real world depicted in the book -- but there is so much inspiration and redemption there too. Atticus Finch is, indeed, a towering figure. And he towers not because he is physically strong, but because he possesses absolute integrity. It is the Atticus's of the time who, even then, gave hope for the future, though Atticus could not save Tom from the mob.I think the film version is the most sublime adaptation of a fine book that I know. And I think that Gregory Peck's portrayal of Atticus was a career performance. I revere Atticus as portrayed by Peck. He is a true inspiration.
To Shannon and Jon you give me hope and I have promised myself to read it again, got to tell you know I have a real sickly feeling in the pit of my stomach at the thought. But I will do it its the least I can do for all those people that are really living a life like this
Jettcatt, though your feet are in the muck, remember that if you lift your eyes, you will see stars to light your way -- like Atticus Finch and Scout!I'll be eager to learn how you like the book this time around. Though if you want to risk less time and emotion, you really might consider the film. I usually prefer books, but this film is that good.
Thanks again Jon, I will stick with the book. Onward and upward. here goes.....
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What a Novel. So, peacefully going on, it suddenly takes a twist, which is long planned, and reveals us the aim of the whole Story. Showed us what being a human being is. Showed us exactly what courage is. How bad people are to each other. And what it means to be good to people and protecting oneself. It's all just wonderful how the book revealed each item.
Atticus Finch is excellent Characterisation. If not for Raskolnikov, Atticus Finch would be my all time favorite characterisation. To Kill a Mockingbird is simply awesome. Thanks Harper, for giving us such a wonderful book.