A necessary read? (To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee)

Member Name: mmblah

Product:	To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Date:	31/05/08 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: characters, plot, the concept of the "mockingbird"

Disadvantages: none

I ponder the status of "To Kill a Mockingbird" as a classic sometimes, and I struggle with the idea. I suppose it's because I relate the word 'classic' to authors of an entirely different period. I realise now, though, that this is an entirely wrong view to take on things; To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic. It's simply a modern classic.

And, of course, that's the reason it's so often imposed upon students throughout their years of education. But one read can show us why; the book bears an ever-important message but, even past that and in utmost simplicity, it is a beautiful yet tragic tale. It's interesting how it can be so when told from the point of view of a child, but perhaps this is actually the reason. Scout, the narrator, tells us in innocence of the corruption of justice, of the sickening prejudice, of the death of innocence and "mockingbirds".

While the Atticus' words of "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" hold a huge portion of the novel in its seven words, there's a whole lot more to see within the story. There's so many characters to 'meet' and so many strands of plot to delve into as part of that it's a necessary read in many people's eyes. I probably agree. I've read it a couple of times, now, and if this book has passed you by or was once left unenjoyed through over-analysis in school, try it again. I don't think there's any other book like it.

Summary: An excellent novel detailing the loss of innocence throughout many aspects.