Coming home to Maycomb

This post is a first of its kind - a book review of To Kill A Mockingbird  and Go Set A Watchman.

For many years, I have wanted and thought about book blogging. Having said that, I have never had the time to commit to this and, honestly, have been a bit fearful of it. Because I teach English Language Arts to high school students, I believe I should model this to my students to enhance their learning as well as my own.

Many months ago when it was publicized that a second Harper Lee novel would be published, I was excited and intrigued to read it given the reclusiveness of Lee and the statement that she would not follow up Mockingbird with another novel as she "said what she had to say." Later, I read articles online indicating that Lee was not making this decision to publish this draft of a novel and that her current lawyer did not protect Lee as the previous one had (Lee's sister). It was looking like the publication of Go Set A Watchman might be a money making endeavor for the publisher and current lawyer.

Like many other readers... I was intrigued and purchased the novel shortly after its release. With all the documentaries, press releases, and a release of the first chapter online, I became somewhat obsessed with Harper Lee and everything "To Kill A Mockingbird."

I have taught TKAM several times and read it several times - however, before reading GSAW, I decided to re-read TKAM focusing on the relationship of Atticus and his children, Atticus' characterization, and the trial of Tom Robinson. My reasons for this was due to some "spoilers" I saw online indicating the destruction of Atticus...

What I discovered when I reread To Kill A Mockingbird

"To look at others from a different perspective"

I have never worshiped Atticus like some readers have... I would rather say, well-respected him. I was pleasantly surprised at his characterization in GSAW, but it did not destroy me. It made me look into his character more deeply and critically. In my past readings of TKAM, I viewed Atticus as a "wise words" character or the model father/lawyer. A character who remains basically static throughout the text but provides the rich quotes and thematic development. During my reread, I saw Atticus through his children's eyes or their perspective. Atticus is a good parent in this novel. He provided a moral education for his children, a safe environment, demonstrated empathy and compassion. There are many examples of this - he encourages his children to be respectful and to "hold your head high." Jem and Scout are amazed by his empathy and kindness to others and view him as the "bravest man who ever lived." Don't we all feel that way about the adults who are our greatest influences? In a closer read, somewhat separating myself from Jem and Scout's perspective, I saw how Atticus was driven by his conscience and his sense of justice and could perhaps be traditional in his views of race - as it is not the focus of the plot.

As I read, I kept wondering - could Atticus be a white supremacist as he is portrayed in GSAW?

I think it is possible that he was intended in the same light as he was in GSAW, but it was not as implicit in TKAM. Atticus is an exceptional father to his children. He teaches them how to behave, to show respect to others and to do what is right. Initially, the reader focussed on how this father is revered by his children. As a reader, we connect to that idea of having a parent or mentor who displays the kindness, morality, compassion and justice Atticus does. One does not focus on why Atticus did not try to have the Jim Crow laws deemed as being inappropriate or biased during Tom Robinson's trial. After all, Atticus was appointed to defend Robinson and viewed that a lawyer gets a case that will "affect him personally" and he "hoped to get through life without a case of this kind." Wanting justice for his defendant, why would Atticus not pursue a mixed jury or even equality in the courthouse. It could be inferred that Atticus did not question the Jim Crow laws because he was okay with it. Could it be possible that Atticus was a passive participant in the role of justice for Tom Robinson? It could be argued either way. Maybe Atticus did not want further discontent in Maycomb, and therefore, chose not to push for an equal and just trial.

In any text I read, the context and authorial intent are pivotal. I had read Things Fall Apart  prior to reading TKAM  realized how the authors utilize the social context for the setting and the context for the occasion in which the novel is written. TKAM is set in a Depression-era south where the Jim Crow laws were in existence. However, the social context in which it is written was a time of societal change in the US regarding the civil rights movement. It was a time of great change for race and gender. This bildungsroman provides every reader with the lessons of compassion and empathy and a statement on the condition of society when courage is not present.

TKAM is stylistically a masterpiece and is beautifully crafted. It has withheld the test of time as the theme is still powerful and present today. This novel has something for every reader; a gothic element, strong symbolism, and deep meaning.




Go Set A Watchman

Because I reread TKAM before GSAW, there was never a doubt that this novel was written by Harper Lee. She captures the essence of Scout, rather, Jean Louise, as a young woman in her twenties. I noticed striking similarities in some of the prose. Rather than looking for the identical quotes, refer to the article

http://qz.com/452650/harper-lee-revisions/

Ultimately, I could not put this novel down as it was almost like watching a train wreck and not being able to turn away. When reading it, one has to bear in mind that it is in draft form and written over 55 years ago. It by far is not a polished work - and I agree completely with how/why TKAM came to be. However, it does have potential. Where TKAM was a "coming of age" novel with a focus on the social hierarchy of Maycomb and the role of justice, GSAW is a "coming home" story where Scout must reconcile her feelings for her birthplace, her family, her "kind," and her conscience.

Reasons to Read:
Because this novel is not edited and has been held by the publisher that it is in draft form, it is an interesting journey for a reader into the process that the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was born from. There are glimmers of insights by Lee that, unfortunately, go underdeveloped in this text.

From the beginning, Lee provides antecedent action through description of how Maycomb was and how it has changed. In essence, Lee is developing the idea that Maycomb perhaps has not changed, but Scout has and she does not yet know "her kind" and must search her conscience to see where and if she fits into Maycomb. When Scout realizes her father is not who she thinks he is, she then realizes she does not know herself. Really, how has she been able to go through life not witnessing the indifference to the "white trash" and African Americans.

Atticus. Has he changed who he is? Or, was he always like this but "people generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for"(To Kill A Mockingbird). Look at Aunt Alexandra - in both texts she does not pull any punches with respect to how she feels about her class, culture, and race. Atticus might not be different in opinion, but has the personality to withhold his opinion given his role in society. I appreciate the complexity shown here with Atticus. He is human and has flaws. He has always fought for justice and his conscience guides his decisions. As a reader, we may be shocked to find out Atticus attended KKK meetings in the past and now meets with "Maycomb Citizen's Council." His motivations, however, are unclear yet we can empathize with Scouts' shock as the reader does not expect this from Atticus, the moral compass of Maycomb. Jean Louise must come to terms with her father's flaws and the societal values of Maycomb.

"There is no such thing as a collective conscience" (Go Set A Watchman)

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience" (To Kill A Mockingbird)

These are all quality ideas and insights, however, they are in draft and underdeveloped. Some to the motifs/symbols and flashbacks are trite and are not integrated well into the loose plot of the novel. There are some inconsistencies within the novel such as the reference to Tom Robinson's trial. Ultimately, there is value in reading GSAW as a compliment or supplement to TKAM regardless of its faults.

Favourite Quotes:

"she was born color blind"

"I need a watchman to lead me around and declare what he seeth every hour"

"You never saw him as a man with a man's heart, and a man's failings"

"Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends."