To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: A Powerful Story of Justice

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee remains one of the towering literary achievements that has remained relevant across generations. Initially published in 1960, the novel has since left its imprint on the reading community. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and has since sold over 40 million copies worldwide. Such has been its impact that it has also been translated into about 40 languages, making it truly global in its appeal.

A 2006 poll conducted by British librarians underscores its profound impact. The respondents ranked it as the book every adult should read before they die, surpassing even the Bible. Its 1962 film adaptation was nominated for 8 Academy Awards and won 3 of them, including Best Actor in a Leading Role. To Kill a Mockingbird’s generational impact goes beyond books, and it has become a cultural touchstone since its publication.

A Brief Overview of To Kill a Mockingbird

The story is set in the 1930s in Maycomb, Alabama, and follows Scout Finch, an inquisitive 6-year-old girl, and her family.

The story shows the turmoil, racial and social injustice, and economic struggle of the era. Tom Robinson’s trial, where a black man is falsely accused, becomes the centre point of the story.

As the story progresses, Lee explores the themes of a child’s innocence and growing up, societal gossip and mob mentality, prejudice and racial inequality, courage, integrity, justice, and moral growth.

The American South in the 1930s: Setting the Scene

Stark racial divisions and inequality marked American Society in the 1930s. The Great Depression had just hit the economy, and African Americans had taken a big hit and were being pushed out of the remaining jobs. Jim Crow laws enforced strict segregation of African Americans in all walks of life.

The novel opens against this backdrop, and the Tom Robinson trial reflects the societal biases prevalent in 1930s America. Racial prejudice was ingrained in all the societal structures, including the legal systems.

The novel’s portrayal of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer defending a black man, exposes that deeply entrenched societal malaise of racism. Lee’s writing is groundbreaking and much ahead of its time, challenging the set societal norms and the era’s systematic racism.

Exploration of justice in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee employs intense courtroom drama to demonstrate the clash of conflicting ideologies. The trial of Tim Robinson, a black man wrongly accused, is central to the story. Lee brutally exposes the racial prejudice and moral decay of the fictional Maycomb, which serves as a broader reflection of the American society of that time.

Lee, through her writing, contrasts legal justice and moral justice. She shows how, in a society with deep racial prejudices, despite clear evidence of Tom Robinson’s innocence, a white jury finds him guilty. This predicament is reflected by Atticus Finch: “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life.”  Atticus Finch is portrayed as a man of great integrity, morality and courage who defends Tom Robinson despite social criticism and ostracisation, with many citizens labelling him as a “nigger-lover”.

Character Analysis Through the Lens of Justice

To Kill a Mockingbird explores themes related to justice through its many characters. Each character adds to the story, and as the story progresses, the depth of the characters’ moral awakening is a learning and enlightening experience for the readers.

Main Characters

Scout Finch, Jem Finch, and Atticus Finch are the central figures in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout is the story’s narrator, sharing her 1933 experiences from an adult’s perspective. She is shown as a free-spirited young girl who prefers playing outside and loves reading with her father, Atticus.

As the novel progresses, we see that her interactions with Boo Radley and the Tom Robinson trial have a great influence on her understanding of justice and empathy. Initially shown as quick-tempered, but towards the end of the story, she develops a better appreciation for the conditions of other humans by heeding her father’s advice:

“you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

Jem Finch, Scout’s brother, starts fascinated by Boo Radley but matures considerably as the story progresses. His puberty coincides with Tom Robinson’s trial, considerably affecting his views on humanity. Jem is deeply influenced by his father and wants to be “a gentleman” like him.

Atticus Finch, a Southern lawyer, is the protagonist of the story. He has a strong sense of morality and serves as an ethical role model for his children and the community. Atticus teaches his children equality and empathy. He stands for moral courage and dedication to justice and defends Tom Robinson despite knowing about his eventual defeat.

Additional Key Characters

Boo Radley is a mysterious neighbour of the Finch family and is a source of obsession for the neighbourhood kids, including Scout and Jem. He is portrayed as a social recluse who is the subject of local gossip. He profoundly impacts Scout and Jem and has been shown as a very kind soul.

Calpurnia is the cook of the Finch family, where she fulfils various responsibilities, ranging from babysitter to educator to co-parenting with Atticus. The Finches also treat her as their family member.

Themes and Symbolism

Scout and Jem Finch’s coming-of-age experiences coincide with the story’s central plot. Through their interactions with various other characters, the characters mature differently.

Empathy is a central theme of the plot. Atticus’s advice to – “climb into [another’s] skin and walk around in it” is a recurring motif. He encourages his children to be more empathetic towards others in general and marginalised sections in particular.

The novel also shows the dangerous and damaging effects of gossip, prejudice, and mob mentality. Courage and justice are other important themes of the plot. Harper Lee, through Atticus Finch, defines courage as standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult. Atticus explains to Jem that courage is – “when you are licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”

Mockingbirds are shown as symbols of innocence and vulnerability who have done no harm to others. Therefore, Atticus lectures Scout and Jem that –

“shoot all the Blue Jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Adaptations and Recognitions

The film version of To Kill a Mockingbird was nominated for 8 Academy Awards and won 3 of them: Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Art Direction. Aaron Sorkin’s Broadway show brought it to the stage, reaching new fans.

The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961, recognising its distinguished storytelling and exploration of themes of racism and justice. Additionally, in 1961, the book was honoured with the brotherhood award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, acknowledging its contribution to the promotion of social harmony.

Conclusion

Overall, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic of English literature. It serves its readers’ deep moral lessons and social issues, which remain relevant even today. Harper Lee’s writing touches a deep chord with the readers and prompts them to reflect on their own biases. Its timeless lessons about empathy, prejudice, integrity, courage, and justice continue to sensitise generations of readers.

My Rating:- ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Goodreads Rating: 4.26

To Kill a Mockingbird Reviewed On:

• e-book
• Total pages: 310
• Genre: Fiction/Classics
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee