To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

There are many books about the past discrimination of blacks in the South, and there are many books about children who grow and come to realize more about the world in which they live. But in the story To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee binds these two seemingly tired plots to create a fascinating story unlike any other.


This story is brought to life from the perspective of a young girl, Jean Louise Finch, lovingly known as Scout by her family and friends. With days consisting mostly of taunting their mysterious neighbor and fun and games with her brother Jem, her life bursts with the carefree joy of childhood. That is until her father Atticus, a lawyer, is assigned to defend a black man against rape charges of a white girl. Atticus chooses to accept the case in order to do what he thinks is right even though he knows he is choosing to fight in a loosing battle. Scout and Jem are suddenly faced with disapproval and disgust from many members of their town who disagree with their father's role in the case.


At a glance, this book is about the discrimination of African Americans, but looking deeper I find that the theme to this book is of a slightly different nature. I found that this story was more about the growing up of the children and them finding who they are and what they believe in. Even when the children are in an environment where they are met with much disapproval, they are able to come to these realizations by looking to Atticus for guidance and encouragement. This book is also about how after you become certain of what you know to be right, you must stand by those beliefs no matter the amount of opposition you face or the number of odds against you. "Simply because we're licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win." (87)


Not only did I enjoy the plot to this story, but I also really admired the author's style of writing. This book was worded in a way that was unique and different, but still got to the point. I also liked the fact that the author left a lot for the reader to infer on their own, rather then just telling you things, the author would provide you with just the right amount of information so that the reader is required to think and draw their own conclusions.


The only thing that I found to be any less than excellent in this book was the slow beginning. It takes quite a while for the story to get going. But, I do see the necessity to this, if the author hadn't taken so much time in the beginning to let us draw close to the characters, then the ending wouldn't have been nearly as powerful.


I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a well written story that will leave you refreshed in your hope and encouraged to stand up for what you think is right. I urge you to read To Kill a Mockingbird in the hope that you will get as much out of it as I have.


Written and published by Katie S.