To Kill A Mocking Bird

A town, a time and different places in between, yet the voices and themes coming from pages printed over and over again. The pages of literature that remind us all to look with in when we need real answers. To even look farther than what we think is within. To test ourselves to go beyond that. To go beyond what we think, what we can see , and what we know and go to place where we feel. A message singing loud and clear saying that what is right, decent and good will finds its way. Not changing the fact that our humble minds should wrap around the ideas of goodness and justice. Goodness and justice are things I pray never disintegrate. Simple words, but what do they mean: To Kill a Mocking Bird ?

In this book written by Nelle Harper Lee, more commonly known as Harper Lee; we are reminded of times and places that are gone Regardless of their current existence the message in this tale is one that is ageless. A message that stirs into a brewing boil the ideas of coming of age, race, ignorance, justice, truths, and the simplicity and connectedness of a small town.

For a long time I didn't know exactly what the title meant. I searched and could not find the meaning. Later finding out that Atticus Finch , the even-handed father and attorney in the novel, expressed to his children that they should never "Kill a Mocking Bird." That this should never happen because there should be no good reason to do so. Simply put by the character that the Mocking Birds only produce beautiful music and do little to harm anything.

The scene of this southern tale is set in a small Alabama town. The same town where two children reared by their widowed father and a nanny come to understand controversy by viewing it with their own eyes. Their own youth and innocence contribute so much to the story. Throughout as they are experiencing the local towns peoples decisions and actions the reader begins to understand how we begin to understand. Scout and Jem often surmise what is happening by picking up bits and pieces and discussing those issues among themselves. They bring up issues at dinner and breakfast with their father and their Nanny, Calpurnia. They find the answers eventually, but don't you know that is how it works.

The issue on the table was not one that is so pertinent anymore. Not an issue that I would in any way want to drudge up or debate about. The issue was that of the times in the deep south -surrounding the thoughts and theories of race and prejudice. I do however want to touch on the consistent relativity of this novel and our lives.

Harper Lee published this Pulitzer Prize winning American classic in 1960 and has long since been silent and even reclusive when it came to sharing any writing she may have done since. Her connection to the literary world has been limited if not non-existence. And with all due respect what else could she give us - how much more brilliant could she be?

For decades school children have taken this journey with Atticus, Jem and Scout. A journey through a small southern town and all its components and oddities. A town like Mayberry or my own hometown of Dawson Springs. For those of us that grew up in places reminiscent of Maycomb (Thought to be a re-creation of the author's hometown - Monroeville, Alabama.) it becomes more and more easy to understand the function of this piece. It has become a tool for understanding integrity and morality. A device as profound as the day is long, and after all these years it has not lost its luster.

To deal with diversity is easy for folks that live in a town like Austin. Austin and cities like it celebrate diversity and individuality. They become a Mecca for the free thinkers and free spirits. A place where all ideas are tossed around the table and no one is really frowned upon. On the other hand, Maycomb was not that type of place. Diversity was lonely, examined, then examined again. It was dissected on porches, in grocery stores, play grounds and church pews. Diversity could only survive through strength and courage, through decency and perseverance, and in this particular story it does.

What if all flowers bloomed the same color or all the trees swayed in the same direction? What would happen if everyone's homes were identical, if our clothes and our cars were the same? BORING! Speaking out and using a prominent white attorney in 1960, to tell a tale of this magnitude was bold. But written in a language that those who abide in the types of places like Maycomb or Monroeville could understand. Delivered as pleasing as the fragrance of the lilac sweeping through the back yard and as southern and graceful as apple pie or lemonade. Who else could have done it?

Sometimes when I think about To Kill A Mocking Bird, I think about the south, sometimes I think about childhood, other times I remember the trial and the things that were controversial. Regardless of the reason...I remember. I will always remember. I will always remember the idea of never killing anything that does nothing wrong. Even if it is just an idea.

Thank you Miss Lee; you changed my life and you don't even know me.

To kill a Mocking bird













Bruised Atticus Finch Rare Import