Title: To Kill A Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Synopsis: Six-year-old Jean-Louise "Scout" Finch lives in Maycomb, Alabama with her father, Atticus, and her older brother, Jem. In the course of the story, Scout watches through her childish eyes the events that unfold in Maycomb--the trial of a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused (falsely, we learn) of raping a white woman. While the trial (Atticus Finch is Tom Robinson's defense attorney) is a main point in the story, also central to the plot is the mysterious and reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley. Throughout the novel, Scout's perception of right and wrong, good and evil, and fairness in the world grow and change.
Challenges: The American Library Association has a long list of challenges that To Kill A Mockingbird has faced since its original publication. The most frequent objections brought up are the racist elements of the story--use of the word "nigger," the portrayal of the dividing lines between white people and black people in 1930s Alabama. The book was "removed from the Southwood High School Library in Caddo Parish, LA (1995) because the book's language and content were objectionable" (ALA List). This is just one of many examples, but it stood out because the book was removed entirely from a high school library.
My Thoughts: To Kill A Mockingbird is an eyes-wide-open look at racism and class divides in 1930s. It is not a pretty part of our history, racism. But it exists and I, for one, believe that in order to prevent intolerance and racially-motivated crimes, we must learn from what happened in the past.
Reading To Kill A Mockingbird is never an easy experience for me--the ultimate fate of Tom Robinson isn't a happy ending. But Scout's experiences, witnessing the trial, her father's humane treatment of others, and the community's reaction to the crimes committed against an innocent man, show part of the progression in thoughts and ideas that allowed the later civil rights movement of the 1960s to have the success it did.
I first read this book in high school. I have to agree that it might not be suitable for middle school and junior high, except, of course, for students who are intellectually and emotionally ready. I'd be wary of making it required reading for those age groups. But high school is a different story, and I don't see any reason American students shouldn't be exposed to this snapshot of American history.
4 comments:
I had no idea it was banned! How scandalous .Great post!
Excellent first entry for the series, Meg. Sadly, it is a novel whose themes will always be relevant.
Fear of, and hate directed toward, groups and individuals different from "ourselves" has plagued mankind since the beginning of time. Skin color is but one reason and, despite some progress, that prejudice still exists.
Darn tootin' kids should read this (I'll trust you on age groups - mom had us reading "The Scarlett Letter" in elementary school, I think this in 7th grade). While they may initially look at it as a snapshot of American history, once they've read it, I think they'll come to appreciate how applicable its lessons are in so many areas of life.
Lisa--I think it depends on the kid. Monday's book, Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers is definitely a high school book, but I read it in 7th grade and I was fine.
The whole point is that parents need to talk to their children--the job of the school is to expose the kids to history, to the world as it is. If parents want their children protected from some part of that, that's their choice, but demanding a book be removed from a library or a reading list (instead of, say, asking for an alternative assignment) is infringing on the rights of others!
There she goes, that Meg, preaching to the choir again. :P
Actually, every time I finish To Kill A Mockingbird, I'm touched by how beautiful the story is--this is a little girl who has been taught NOT to be racist, to be kind to others, to be fair. The lesson she learns about Boo Radley is simply beautiful.
It's OK to preach to the choir, Meg. I look at it this way: Expressing ourselves to each other is practice for when we need to tell someone else!
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