Thursday, July 14, 2005
To kill a mockingbird
Title: To kill a mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Published: 1960
What do you expect from a classic? That it inspires you. That its characters stay with you long after the details of the story have faded away. That it touches you in a way nothing else ever will. That it makes you wish the story could have gone on for ever, the characters becoming a part of your life. "To kill a mockingbird" does all of this, but it also makes you laugh!
The story is set in the "South" of America, after the Yankees have won and set the Negroes free. It is narrated in the words of an eight year old, Jean-Louise "Scout" Finch. Through her we are introduced to her elder brother "Jem" with whom she shares a bond that is only possible in childhood, her father Atticus, a lawyer, whom she finds "satisfactory", Calpurina, their negro cook who manages a lot more than the kitchen, Dill, the boy who comes every summer to live with one of the neighbours and of course Boo Radley. The boy next door who has done something terrible a long time ago and has not stepped outside his house ever since.
As Scout describes everyday incidents in her life, her school, the neighbours, the characters in the story begin to take shape. Atticus emerges as the "hero" of the book - a man of principles. Jem is a boy growing into a man. Scout herself is very much a child, convinced that there is no problem that a good beating will not solve.
Atticus is asked to defend a negro who is accused of raping a white girl and this changes their lives. For Atticus, it is a time when all his principles are put to test. For Jem and Dill, it is a shocking introduction to the real world. For Scout, it is an invitation to get into a fight with anyone who dares to speak against her father, even though she'd rather he not fight the case. The scene where scout talks to the mob in the jail is beyond adjectives!
Harper Lee manages to teach us so much using an 8 year old! Scout's innocence, Atticus's principles, Dill's anguish and Jem will remain with me for a long long time.
Author: Harper Lee
Published: 1960
What do you expect from a classic? That it inspires you. That its characters stay with you long after the details of the story have faded away. That it touches you in a way nothing else ever will. That it makes you wish the story could have gone on for ever, the characters becoming a part of your life. "To kill a mockingbird" does all of this, but it also makes you laugh!
The story is set in the "South" of America, after the Yankees have won and set the Negroes free. It is narrated in the words of an eight year old, Jean-Louise "Scout" Finch. Through her we are introduced to her elder brother "Jem" with whom she shares a bond that is only possible in childhood, her father Atticus, a lawyer, whom she finds "satisfactory", Calpurina, their negro cook who manages a lot more than the kitchen, Dill, the boy who comes every summer to live with one of the neighbours and of course Boo Radley. The boy next door who has done something terrible a long time ago and has not stepped outside his house ever since.
As Scout describes everyday incidents in her life, her school, the neighbours, the characters in the story begin to take shape. Atticus emerges as the "hero" of the book - a man of principles. Jem is a boy growing into a man. Scout herself is very much a child, convinced that there is no problem that a good beating will not solve.
Atticus is asked to defend a negro who is accused of raping a white girl and this changes their lives. For Atticus, it is a time when all his principles are put to test. For Jem and Dill, it is a shocking introduction to the real world. For Scout, it is an invitation to get into a fight with anyone who dares to speak against her father, even though she'd rather he not fight the case. The scene where scout talks to the mob in the jail is beyond adjectives!
Harper Lee manages to teach us so much using an 8 year old! Scout's innocence, Atticus's principles, Dill's anguish and Jem will remain with me for a long long time.
# posted by vinaya @ 1:31 AM 
Comments:
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Arjun: Yes, i take back my words :)
Kaushik: I was planning not to see the movie, cos they generally tend to disappoint. But if you call it a classic, i guess its worth a watch!
Kaushik: I was planning not to see the movie, cos they generally tend to disappoint. But if you call it a classic, i guess its worth a watch!
Like this book! Picked it up at a roadside stall. Specially gratifying when something you pick up for 40 bucks is so good...And how did you forget to mention 'Boo' Radley.. :) though he did prove to be a little disappointing in the end..
I agree! I wanted to mention Boo in the review, after all quite a big part of the book revolves around him. But i'm still not clear what was the point of Boo Radley.
An amazing read..! Beautifully written with a rather complex theme ( imagine, the extent of racism back then!!) explained with such innocence and simplicity through the eyes of a kid,Scout. And boo radley was explained quite well by jem when he bursts out, i thought??
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