‘To Kill A Mockingbird’

by Harper Lee

It is important to note that I will be using the abbreviation TKAM as a replacement for ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ frankly it takes up too much space…

Harper Lee’s book ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ not only succeeded through the gravity of the content, but in the way it was told.

The book TKAM extends further than just a book, it not only explores the coming of age through the eyes of the protagonist Scout Finch. It explored the racial prejudice and injustices in America, during the heights of the civil rights movement. 

A quick introduction to the book and why I chose it!

As it is a hard story to summarise, due to the gravity of the content, I will provide you with trusty google summary…

“In the Depression era, Atticus Finch, a lawyer, sets out to defend a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Meanwhile, his children, Scout and Jem, spy on their reclusive neighbour.”

Google

As mentioned earlier the book extends further then just the story at hand, there are so many important lessons and principles displayed. Such as The Coexistence of Good and Evil, courage, empathy, and morality. I won’t dive into the details of the story, I will leave the mystery for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading this brilliant book.

Exploring Harper Lee’s Storytelling

When I first read the book I was in high school, I had no desire to read books and if I am being honest I still struggle to pick one up. However this book I struggled to put down. Harper Lee created such powerful images, the book felt like a film, a beautiful cinematic production that you don’t want to end. The story spine created multiple mysteries that you couldn’t wait to unravel, leaving you hooked. One of the most essential principles in storytelling is imagery, to paint a picture for your audience is one the most powerful tools.

In the quote below you can see how well Harper Lee used imagery in the story.

Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the court-house sagged in the square. Somehow, it was hotter then; a black dog suffered on a summer’s day; bony mules hitched to Hoover carts flicked flies in the sheltering shade of the live oaks on the square. Men’s stiff collars wilted by nine in the morning. Ladies bathed before noon, after their three o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.

Scout Finch – TKAM

Not only was Harper Lee brilliant at imagery, she also built a strong connection between the reader and the protagonist Scout Finch.

Pulling on familiar characteristics such as curiosity and stubbornness, brought me back to my childhood, some would say I still present those qualities but, who doesn’t (; … Harper really built on these characteristics and connections which ultimately help the reader build a strong bond with Scout, enhancing the power of the story.

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If you never read the book, or even if you have because you were forced too in high-school, it is worth a re-read. Writing this created the urge for me to pick up the book once again.

Changed America for the better.

Former President Obama and the First Lady on TKAM