Whether it's for fun or for a school assignment, I'm sure many of you have read To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. It is an American classic about a Southern white family in the 1930's. The little girl, Scout, and her brother, Jem, are growing up without a mother. Scout sees her father as her hero, especially when he defends an African American man in a court case. During this time period, there was almost no way he would be found innocent, whether or not he actually was. Atticus took the case anyway, believing it was important to stand up for what's right. Tom Robinson is accused of raping the Ewell girl, and Atticus points out that it is unlikely due to his arm injury/disability. He then insinuates that Bob Ewell, the girl's father, committed this crime. Despite all this, the jury found Robinson guilty. Robinson was later shot trying to escape prison. Atticus' patience, humility, wisdom, and fairness was a model for not only his children, but to us readers as well. He takes a stand against racism, even when society tells him he is wrong. This is why, when Lee released her sequel, I became upset.
Not just upset. Frustrated. Confused. Tired. Indignant.
Now, I'm not really sure if her book, Go Set A Watchman, is really a sequel, or if it's just an unfinished manuscript or the result of a brainstorm. All I know is that it honestly shouldn't have been published, because it contradicts the first novel, and erases our favorite heroes and their strong morals and values.
Scout, AKA Jean Louise, is an adult now. She comes back to her hometown, Maycomb, to visit her father. We learn her brother has died, and she has picked up a beau, Henry. Henry is an aspiring lawyer, studying under Atticus, who is currently in his late 70's and suffering from arthritis. Jean Louise's aunt, who is usually very judgmental, dislikes the idea of her and Henry. She thinks Henry comes from a "white trash family" and doesn't deserve someone of good background, like the Finches. I thought this book would be about the issue of different social classes and equality between them, but soon enough, the issue of race was brought back up. It's now the early 60's/late 50's, and Jean Louise feels like Maycomb is different somehow. It's not her Maycomb anymore. She finds her father and Henry at a Council Meeting (basically a mini KKK meeting). She's upset and feels betrayed. She yells at her father for being fake, for betraying her trust, and for being a "double-dealing ring-tailed old son of a bitch". Her father does not become angry, but lets her get her feelings out and tells her he loves her. Jean Louise can't believe this is the same man who defended Tom Robinson. She claims that he wants African Americans to be free and follow their hearts desire, so long as they fit within his boundaries. She says that he denies their humanity by denying them hope. She compares him to Hitler saying, "You're no damn better. You just try to kill their souls instead of their bodies." She says, "You are telling them that Jesus love them, but not much." When the argument is over, she goes home to pack up and leave town. Her uncle comes over and calls her a bigot and slaps her. He then convinces not only to stay, but to tolerate Atticus' point of view and listen to other people's opinions. Then Jean Louise feels guilty, apologizes to her father, and tells him she loves him. She sets up a date with Henry. The End.
What the heck, Harper Lee?! You ruined a beautiful character like Atticus, by turning him into a racist and oppressive man. He's not the hero that Scout, or us viewers, thought he was. Why would you do that to Atticus? Not only that, but why did you let Jean Louise suddenly be okay with her father's racism? There would at least be a point to the story if she took a stand against it and left or something! You can't just take a book that students study every day in the classroom, an American classic, and turn it into the opposite of what everyone thought. Are you just bored with your life? Did you sit around for a few years, bored, and just think, hmm, I wonder what will really make everyone mad... well you know what Harper Lee? Good for you. Do what you want. Ruin one of the best books in American history. Hope that makes you feel good about yourself.
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