To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Book review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Alyssa's review of To Kill a Mockingbird

"I was a ham." I think my humor is broken. This made me laugh for a whole minute. Lol

It's an old book, published in 1960 and made into a movie in 1962. The story takes place during the Great Depression, so it's not surprising that the characters use outdated words in their conversations.

And as an individual for whom English is not the primary language, I found myself resorting to the dictionary on numerous occasions. Yet, I did not encounter any vexation; quite the contrary, I discovered it to be utterly fascinating. Why, English is an exquisitely captivating language, sadly having metamorphosed into a rather dreary one.

☝️ see what I did there? Haha

I really enjoyed the setting (1930s) and the beautiful language used in the book. Like "It drew him as the moon draws water" or "a gesture of cordiality that cemented our friendship."

I love this book very much. In fact, I think, as much as I love Harry Potter books. I thought it was a decent-length story, but as I neared the last chapter, I found myself wishing for a few more chapters. Thaaaat. Gooood. No wonder it won the Pulitzer prize.

When I read the synopsis, I anticipated a serious book, and yes, it discussed serious topics like racism, gender roles, social hierarchy, hate crimes, and prejudice. But Harper Lee tells the story through the eyes of a child, which adds humor and innocence to it while also breaking your heart. Which makes it easier to digest, I think.

A BIT OF SPOILER FROM HERE:

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a story about the growth of Jean Louise (Scout) and her brother Jem, guided by their father Atticus. Scout is a funny girl. I like her energy. She's like my spirit animal. Her brother, Jem, also undergoes amazing character development. Even though they didn't have a mother, they are influenced by strong women like Miss Maudie, Calpurnia, and Aunt Alexandra (I have decided to include her at the last minute. Read the novel, and you'll know why haha). The book shows different families in Maycomb County and how adults affect the development of their children. Like Aunt Alexandra would say, "That kid's like that because his parents like that." I know not everyone falls into this category, but we can all agree that many, many people do.

One poignant character is Boo Radley, who suffered under an oppressive, religious family. Boo represents the loss of innocence shown throughout the novel. In the first few chapters, he was seen as a deranged figure, but he is gradually humanized, showing how children's prejudices are shaped by their surroundings. The adults in Jem's and Scout's lives help transform Boo from a phantom lunatic into a fellow human being.

The trial scene in the story creates a lot of suspense, which shows how talented the author is. But there isn't actually any real suspense because even Atticus knows that the outcome of the trial is already decided. The case itself is intentionally presented in a manner that seems overly simplistic. The facts of the case were crafted to be too black and white (no pun intended). Tom Robinson, the accused, is undeniably innocent, but it becomes clear that he is going to be found guilty. The tension was shown in how Atticus defended and uncovered the prejudice that white people hold against the black community. No matter what evidence is presented, the jury, which is influenced by deep-rooted racism, will never acquit a black man accused of raping a white woman. The trial acts as a stark contrast between the forces of good and evil, symbolizing the heartbreaking destruction of an innocent life at the hands of wickedness.

In the last chapter, Heck Tate's decision to protect Boo shows the theme of protecting the innocent, “just like shooting a mockingbird,” as Scout described it. And by saving the lives of the children, Boo demonstrates that goodness can come from unexpected places, just as evil can.