![]() ![]() He bases his appeal in the proposition of the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal,” and argues that this truth applies especially in the courtroom (274), that is, to our equality in the eyes of the law. In his final speech to the jury, Atticus argues that dishonesty and immorality belong “to the human race and to no particular race of men” (273). This lament rings out most clearly in the central story of the middle and later portions of the novel, Tom Robinson’s trial and then death. But the great value of the book, for me, lies in what I see as its central theme: the lament of the ugliness of prejudice, and its celebration of the overcoming of prejudice. ![]() The scenes where Tom Robinson’s verdict is announced, or when Scout sees the world from Boo Radley’s porch, are masterfully told. I love the book for its literary excellence–the memorable characters, the realistic dialogue, the quickly moving, non-labored narration. How can you forget a character like Atticus Finch? I was also surprised how much I remembered all these years later. I liked it the first time, loved it the second time, and now appreciate it even more 17 years later. I haven’t followed the controversy about Go Set a Watchman very closely, but I had to read To Kill a Mockingbird in 8th grade, and then again in 9th grade when my family moved. When Harper Lee passed away a few weeks ago, I pulled out my copy of To Kill a Mockingbird (Grand Central 1960) and re-read it for the first time since 1999.
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