Tag: harper lee

Review of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

.Reading time 3 minutes.
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“To Kill a Mocking Bird” is a masterpiece for a reason: it blends Americana perfectly with a story of growing up and facing monsters. It captures many important modes of thought, and uses representative experiences to tell a concise, elegant tale.

The writing is languid in tone and pacing, perfectly matching the “tired old town” it depicts. It has the power to grab your heart and eases you into the setting. The descriptions are not over-bearing but paint images that stick in the mind. By the end of the first chapter you truly feel Maycomb live and breathe.

But more than tone, the characters bring this slice of America to life. They feel like people we have encountered. From the innocent Scout to the wise Atticus, the dynamics of the townsfolk and the main family are believable. Even when the characters act disagreeably, these moments make sense from their perspective or within the community they live in.

What makes these moments truly memorable is how they are used within the narrative and themes. Even small interactions are a reflection of the idea of growing up and losing innocence. Racism and making uninformed judgments, while taking center stage, never overburden the “fun” aspects of the novel. This book does not shy away from America’s often ugly and skewed historical beliefs and representations. That being said, it shows what a destructive force hate can be.

The other main themes of innocence and belief are expertly woven into familial inhabitants of Maycomb. We watch Scout and Jem go from childhood self-centeredness to realizing the world is a vast and complex place. Judgments they make about certain people are often flipped on their heads when they realize there is always more to the story. And people they would never think capable of certain things are shown to have inner darkness. Their story of growing up together is wonderful by itself, but Harper Lee infused so many more elements together that a staggering number of angles can be drawn from each thematic scene.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a wonderful tale and a lasting favorite. The way the themes of racism feed into belief and belief into innocence and its loss is impressive. It goes to show that the hidden layers of small places contain great meaning. At once heart-breaking, and uplifting, anyone can relate to the narrative presented here.