When you hear Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, Les
Miserables, Star Wars, and Pride and Prejudice, what do you think of? Most
people would agree that these are classics. So what makes something “classic”?
More specifically, what makes a book a classic? A classic is something
memorable that pretty much anyone can relate to at any given point in time and
the truths that it teaches are timeless.
One book that I consider to be a
classic is Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Many schools across the United
States are dropping this book from their curriculum for more “modern”
literature. When I heard this I just stood there in shock for a moment
contemplating. I asked myself, “How people could consider taking this “classic”
piece of literature out of schools?” The book may not be “modern”, but just
like the sky remains blue no matter how much time passes, the values this novel
teaches and the impact it can have on your life stands relevant for any time
period. It’s because it deals with problems and challenges everyone is constantly
facing. It shows the true, sometimes ugly, side of human nature we all can
relate to. No matter how much time passes, human nature doesn’t change.
Scout, the main character of the novel, teaches us that
sometimes only the innocence of a child can see the truth. She says, “ Nah,
Jem, I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.” She is able to break off
from society’s perspective and realize that we are all equal human beings- not
groups of people separated by race, skin color, or culture. When Tome Robinson,
a black man accused of rape who is innocent, is sentenced and killed just
because of his skin color, Scout understands the saying, “Mockingbirds don't do
one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That's why it's a sin to kill a
mockingbird.” She sees the cruelty and injustice that is shown towards Tom
Robinson, a symbol of the “Mockingbird” in the novel.
Each page of the novel leads Scout into a deeper level of
moral conscience. By the end of the book, Scout realizes that someone she doesn’t
understand, the book’s recluse- Boo Radley, is a person of compassion and
worthy of love. At the end when Boo saves her and Jem from Bob Ewell, who tries
to kill them, Scout discards society’s assumptions and sees Boo for who he
really is. At the end she says, “he was real nice…” and Atticus, her wise
father replies, “ Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.” Scout
realizes that someone she does not understand, her neighbor Boo Radley, is a
person of compassion and worthy of love.
This book is definitely one of my favorite reading
assignments for school I have ever had. Not only was the story very interesting
and fun to read, but the lessons about the importance of family, forgiveness,
not judging, and equality are priceless.
The lessons on justice and equality from the 1960’s still
apply now in the 21st century. They are etched into my heart and mind , and I
encourage all schools to allow their students to experience the same
unforgettable journey of reading To Kill a Mockingbird. You won’t regret it.
(That’s a promise.)
