By: Elena Roopchansingh 5 July, 2024
‘“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”’
To Kill a Mockingbird is sheer genius. It’s an exceptional story of a father, Atticus Finch in his profession as a lawyer, fighting for justice with his young children, witness to his struggle. Innocent to the inequities of the fragile world they live in, the children are disappointed to learn that when it comes down to the word of a Black man against that of a white woman there just isn’t room for impartiality. The outcome is given. Prejudice, discrimination and a social structure with emphasis on race and class shape Alabama during the 1930s when this story unfolds.
Alabama during the 1930s was experiencing an economic depression. More prominent than the economic situation however, was the social structure. There was a clear segregation of society dictated by the colour of skin. The Black people were at the bottom of the social ladder and were considered inferior. Being white already meant you were ahead, regardless of how poor or low your standards were. There was a stir when anything concerned a Negro. The town caught a fever when Atticus was defending Tom Robinson, a Negro charged with raping a young white woman Mayella Ewell, and they stopped at no lengths even aiming insults at his children.
Throughout the novel these heavy themes of prejudice, racism and social disparity are apparent. The author’s intention to lay bare the flaws of humanity cannot be mistaken. A jury that after hearing concrete evidence to Tom Robinson’s innocence brought to light by the meticulous questioning and impelling closing argument of his defence attorney Atticus, still convicts him purely because it will not allow a Black man to win. Harper Lee’s hurt, distress and bafflement to these issues are told through the voice of a six year old Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch.
The story is cleverly written from Scout’s point of view. She is Atticus’s daughter and telling the story from her perspective reveals the curiosity of a young mind. In writing from the point of view of a child the author gives the reader the opportunity to appreciate the environment from a novice mindset. Scout questions and sees things, to her credit, with an open mind. She is more mature than her age would suggest. She interacts with everyone from children to adults thus giving the reader an insight into all the different characters. She is not the typical young Southern girl favouring overalls to dresses and not afraid of a fist fight if it meant defending herself even if it was against her beloved brother Jeremy Atticus ‘Jem’ Finch. She is supported by Jem in every way. Their relationship is a strong brother sister one. They have their differences that surfaced especially as Jem grew older and a bit reserved but when it came down to it they were each other’s keeper.
While the story is written from Scout’s point of view, the real hero is her father Atticus Finch. Having lost their mother when Scout was two and Jem six years old he does his best to raise them. In raising them he is supported by their Black housekeeper Calpurnia. His example for them started at home. Atticus is the protective loving father to her and Jem. He knows he is all they have and they are all that he has. He knows they look up to him. He is their pillar. He explains with ease and grace sensitive issues to the children. He protects them but never keeps the truth from them. He does what no other man would do for the sake of his children, for the sake of teaching them what courage is, for the sake of teaching them that all people should be treated equally. Atticus is the definition of courage for he knew he would not win this case but he gave it everything and saw it through. He teaches them the invaluable lesson of fighting for what is right even though the battle will be lost. It’s about following through with the fight. He is the perfect role model for his children.
It is easy to appreciate all this as Harper Lee’s writing is ingenious and witty. The hallmark of brilliant writing is when the reader is able to identify with, understand, feel the emotions the characters express and live the story as it happens. She achieves this as the reader grows fond of the children, admires Atticus, appreciates Boo Radley and is ultimately disturbed by the guilty verdict. She also incorporates symbolism with the title of the novel. The importance of the mockingbird and what it represents cannot be ignored. There are two mockingbirds in this story – Tom Robinson and Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley. Tom Robinson was convicted of rape because of the colour of his skin and Boo Radley was made a recluse. Both victims of society and a threat to no one. They serve to further drive the point of the many injustices that exist. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird and society buried them.
These elements make a novel that is perfectly constructed and developed. It is easy to see why this has gained the status of a classic. Rarely there are novels that can capture a reader the way To Kill a Mockingbird does. It’s an eye opener to discrimination that exists but there is also hope knowing that there are those who will continue to fight for what is right. It’s a story that leaves an impression but more importantly with values and lessons to be learned.