See The Mockingbird, Sight Of Brilliance, Soar Proud Through The Air (To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee)

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Product:	To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Date:	17/03/02 (393 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ingenious Writing Style, Thought Invigorating, Gripping Novel

Disadvantages: Harper Lee's Only Novel

Imagine growing up in a society notorious for its hatred against you; for no apparent reason you invariably become the victim of focused anger and rejection. To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel that explores this terrifying prospect; the life of a character in Southern America, after the civil war with racism at an all time high.


The plot follows the events instituted by Atticus Finch. The local village is disturbed when accusation of rape air throughout the town, a young woman accuses a black crippled man, Tom Robinson of her rape; Atticus, father of Scout adopts the case putting the safety of his own family at risk. With his life hanging in the balance, regular threats to his children are as common as the mail or newspaper gazette but Atticus feels the unbridled need for justice.


Atticus is a character created by the mind and thoughts of Harper Lee. The most prominent aspect of Atticus is his glowing need for justice and rights. Throughout the novel I found myself being more and most mystified by his heroism and quest for justice. Truly, Harper Lee has created an individual so powerful in Atticus that he shall remain with me forever. With his bold wisdom present, it became evident that within us all there is an essence of Atticus; the problem being or unwillingness or cowardly nature with restrains us from elevating this emotion.


The essence of the Robinson trial and the dreams of the children is the basis for the novel. It is crucial and interesting to observe the nature in which Harper Lee incorporates, the strong emotions surrounding bigotry, lies and general evil with the children's dreams of neighbour Boo Radley.


The paradox between Boo Radley and Tom Robinson is one that invites thoughts into the mind of the reader. It is interesting to acknowledge the fashion in which the two, symbolically exchange rolls in life. Boo Radley, is white and although crippled like Tom Robinson is only a prisoner of his
own reclusive mannerisms; in contrast, Tom Robinson recently lived a quite, solemn life which has now been uprooted by the court hearings. Boo Radley moves into this clam life, whereas Tom Robinson is evicted under the weight of stress that trials often plague humans with.


The most brilliant aspect of To Kill A Mockingbird is the ability of Harper Lee to create almost real characters with the printed word. Each character in the novel starts to reveal their thoughts and emotions in a brilliant and stylish manner. I believe that a book is only truly great when the characters come alive and this is no truer than in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. For instance, although Boo Radley is secluded from society and his past is blurred, from analysis of his character is evident that certain actions on his behalf lead to his own demise, whereas even Tom Robinson is not totally free of blame. His inability to trust hinders his life as the novel progresses.


To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel, which deals with the frightening prospect of death; the idea that it comes to all, good and the evil. I was stuttered with disbelief when the novel unravelled in such a dramatic fashion to leave me literally gasping for air. The characters definitely grown on you and it is the genius of Harper Lee to elevate the symbolism ensued in a mockingbird to grand heights. Initially I was baffled by the choice of phrase but as the novel unravels, it becomes more than apparent that Harper Lee has tried to do more than simply explain the racial tensions in Southern America. He has created a novel which prologues the intuitions of mankind. Ultimately To Kill A Mockingbird has changed the fashion and style that I view books.


Yes, I have always enjoyed the written word as so many of you do but I always, ignorantly viewed the letters formed within the pages simply two dimensional with no relevance to my life. The characters only existed within the novel and once I
close the book, the story and adventure will seize to be. Fascinatingly this was not the case for To Kill A Mockingbird, the novel left me pondering on what Lee was trying to imply with this beautifully written tale. There is no doubt in my wonder filled mind that a fragile but essential relationship shall be born between you and your copy of To Kill A Mockingbird.

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