Friday, November 11, 2016

To Kill A Mocking Bird, A Commentary

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To Kill A Mockingbird. A Pulitzer Prize winning literature component that is integral to the American culture. It is even adapted into the big screen. Im tackling this novel because of the racism issue being address in the novel. Seeing how dire we are currently divided, i just felt like reading this novel.

Anyway, brief intro. It depicts the story of Jem Finch along with Scout and Atticus over a few years growing up and countering racist event along the way. Set up in the 1950's when America is still bounded by the Jim Crow Law, Laws that gives the short end of the stick to the blacks. in the novel, events regarding Boo Radley, Tom Robinson and their housekeeper Calpurnia among others has helped shape Jem and Scout to be neutral,and more accepting towards the back people.

What i found interesting in the novel was the "Tom Robinson Saga" when Atticus decided to defend Tom Robinson, a black guy being charged of rape. As a neutral (neither black or white) i looked at the trial objectively, trying to find out who is guilty. As the court hearing was vividly represent in the novel (one of the features i like), i could say that there is not circumstantial or solid evidence that could apprehend Tom Robinson. But still, he was charged guilty. This highlight the imbalance of the social structure back then. Anyone reading this know would not want to go back to the days. Also, few weeks later came news that Tom is shot while trying to flee. I wondered if he ever tried to flee or is it just to muster up his murder.

This novel serves a painful reminder of when we are segregated, divided through colour, a time where social injustice is real, a time where racial inequality, economic inequality is real. As George Santayana said, "Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat them". This literature marvel will have us bless for living in an era of unity, democracy and individuality, a conract that we should appreciate and keep prosper for many years to come.

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