Timeless Classic.

           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.)