“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing
but make music for us to enjoy.
They don’t eat up people’s gardens,
don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do
one thing but sing their hearts out for us.
That is why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Miss Maudie, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Harper Lee
Courtesy of Colin Hogg:
“Clarinet Trio in A Minor, Op. 114: II. Adagio” by Johannes Brahms, performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Stoltzman and Emanuel Ax:
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read.
One does not love breathing.”
Scout, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Harper Lee
In this series, I wanted to continue to present books that will make a positive and uplifting impact on my readers’ outlook on life. Today’s post is about a book that has influenced many generations of readers and can be enjoyed from the age of 5 to 100, and beyond.
Main Title from “To Kill A Mockingbird” (1962) by Elmer Bernstein, performed by Royal Scottish National Orchestra:
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
1926 – 2016
Courtesy of PBS NewsHour:
To Kill a Mockingbird is near the top of the list of most-beloved American novels. Set in Alabama, during the time of the Depression, it is the story of six-year-old Jean Louise Finch, better known as Scout, her older brother Jeremy, nicknamed Jem, and their father, Atticus Finch, a middle-aged lawyer whose brave defence of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, provides the centre of the plot. Told through Scout’s eyes, the narrative renders a small-town experience through the hues of wonder and worry that colour every childhood, and through the lenses of illusions; they are about ideas of justice, the confidence that the wheels of the world might turn things to be right in the end, no matter what obstacles are thrown under it.
The famous film made with Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch (shown above) is largely faithful to the book, especially the nail-gripping trial of Tom Robinson. What the film doesn’t quite capture is the warmth and humour that pervades Scout’s telling, which is enlivened with a streak of satire that belies her age. Racial prejudice and violence in the community she inhabits are addressed eloquently. This widening sense of context enables her and the readers to recognise Atticus’s nobility and courage.
The novel was both a popular and critical success when it was first published, becoming an immediate bestseller and winning the 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The Oscar-winning movie, realised the following year, added to its fame and reputation as a contemporary American classic. The movie adaptation looms as large in filmdom, as the book does in publishing.
Kinderszenen, Op. 15 No. 7 Träumerei by Robert Schumann, performed by Lang Lang:
Courtesy of Bruce Derby:
Here is an extract from To Kill a Mockingbird:
“Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict,” said Atticus. “She took it as a pain-killer for years. The doctor put her on it. She’d have spent the rest of her life on it and died without so much agony, but she was too contrary.”
“Sir?” said Jem.
Atticus said, “Just before your escapade she called me to make her will. Dr Reynolds told her she had only a few months left. Her business affairs were in perfect order but she said, “There’s still one thing out of order.”
“What was that?” Jem was perplexed.
“She said she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. Jem, when you are sick as she was, it’s all right to take anything to make it easier, but it wasn’t all right for her. She said she meant to break herself of it before she died, and that’s what she did.”
Jem said, “You mean that’s what her fits were?”
“Yes, that’s what they were. Most of the time you were reading to her I doubt if she heard a word you said. Her whole mind and body were concentrated on that alarm clock. If you hadn’t fallen into her hands, I would have made you go read to her anyway. It may have been some distraction. There was another reason -”
“Did she die free?” asked Jem.
“As the mountain air,” said Atticus. “She was conscious to the last almost. Conscious,” he smiled, “and cantankerous. She still disapproved heartily of my doings and said I’d probably spend the rest of my life bailing you out of jail. She made Jessie fix you this box -”
Atticus reached down and picked up the candy box. He handed it to Jem.
Jem opened the box. Inside, surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a white, waxy, perfect camellia. It was a Snow-on-the-mountain.
Jem’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. … In a flash, Atticus was up and standing over him. Jem buried his face in Atticus’s shirt front. “Sh-h,” he said. ” I think that was her way of telling you – everything’s all right now, Jem, everything’s all right. You know she was a great lady.”
“A lady?” Jem raised his head. His face was scarlet. “After all those things she said about you, a lady?”
“She was. She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe… I told you that if you hadn’t lost your head I’d have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about her – I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.”
Jem picked up the candy box and threw it in the fire. He picked up the camellia, and when I went to bed I saw him fingering the wide petals. Atticus was reading the paper.”
End Title from “To Kill A Mockingbird” (1962) by Elmer Bernstein (courtesy of Flicks and Music):
naturetails 
I re-read To Kill a Mocking Bird a few years ago when Harper Lee’s second book was published. I vividly remember the passage you quoted here. An excellent book. I wish we had more people today that respected each other’s value, even if they disagreed with them. Now, they just lie, grift, and finger point.
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Thank you, Dear Pat, for your wonderful and first comment! I loved this book and the film, and Gregory Peck was beyond good and a role model of what a perfect father should be.
I have lost count of how many times I quoted this profound truth, but here it is again;
“ If we only could be more humane, there would be paradise here on earth.” It is said by a visiting angel, disguised as
one of us and putting things right in our messy world.
Thank you, Pat, again. Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Definitely an uplifting story. I saw the film not long after I came to the States and was touched by it. I was an admirer of Gregory Peck who presented the father as I imagine was the author’s intention. I think we need more heroes these days so it was nice to be reminded of this one. Thank you Joanna.
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your kind comments! I loved both the book and film and my life’s philosophy
“I am a human first, and everything secondly after that!” was influenced by this book.
Thank you, Carolyn, again, greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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My all time favorite, which I must read again. I ll come back soon to read this Joanna. Thank you for reviewing this book.
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I think this book earned popularity how a fire takes a whole jungle, one tree at a time. This book was gifted to me by a dear friend. More than a decade ago when I read it, it had opened to me many things, feelings, perspectives, how a family works and above all how people see, react and view their surroundings. It was an important breakthrough i guess. Joanna.
I think It’ll be good to take out time to watch the film. Thank you Joanna for sharing and reminding us of this masterpiece.
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Thank you, Narayan, for liking this wonderful book. Take your time, it is worth it. I only review extraordinary books.
Joanna
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Thank you, Narayan, for coming back so quick with your wonderfully interesting comments. If you read my two replies to first comments, I had the similar influence – the idea what a perfect father should be, deep conviction that we are all equal, and what means to be a human being.
The film is great, and together with the book worth reading and watching again.
Joanna
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Another excellent choice Joanna. I must confess that I haven’t read the book, but I did see the film. As you quite rightly point out though, it’s not always easy to portray the author’s words on a screen in the same way as they were written down – no matter how good the film is, certainly not where a book like this is concerned. It does help those of us who haven’t read the book you’re talking about when you include extracts from it so that we can get inside the author’s mind. All this with info about the author, video clips and music all add up
up to yet another super post. You’re an absolute maestro at this Joanna 😊
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Thank you, Malc, for such a wonderful comments! In that case it wont be long before you are going to turn with delight the pages of Harper Lee’s masterpiece! The Oscar winning film, mainly due to the outstanding performance by Gregory Peck, my favourite actor, did justice to the book.
Thank you, Malc, again, greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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You’re more than welcome Joanna 🙂
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It’s a wonderful book, Joanna, and your introduction should make it very alluring to anyone who hasn’t read it! Scout is one of the cutest fictional heroines ever!
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Thank you, Harini, for your kind comments! You are absolutely right, this book is a masterpiece, and a must to read. I am happy that so many readers liked the posiitive effect this book had on their philosophy of life.
Thank you again, greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Another outstanding post Joanna. I read the book and watched the film more than once, and every time I discovered something new and further appreciable
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Thank you, Luisa, for your kind comments! This is the measure of the great book, it always brings something new on re- reading.
Thank you , Luisa, again, greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Great observation, dear Joanna 🙏💙🙏
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Thank you, Joanna, for writing this post on a book that I still remember having read during my summer vacation after plus two examination and had a long discussion with my colleagues then. This book is full of human values talking of racial justice, prejudice, equality, dignity, courage and conviction. It shows how people should live together in harmony in this world by treating others with respect and kindness.
I liked the character of Atticus Finch, and that of Scout is also lovable. How innocence is destroyed by evil is depicted with the help of a mockingbird. The quote given by you in the beginning of the post itself gives a nice introduction. I understand that this book is based on a true story. But it appeals to readers from the very beginning, and your post is no less. Thanks, Joanna, once again, for one more wonderful post.
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Thank you, Kaushal, for your interesting and analytical comments! I am impressed that you read this book so earlier on and that your college friends were discussing the important points of the story.
There was some insinuation that Truman Capote had a hand in creating this book but to me it was
only the book of value and not who really wrote it. Anyway, it was only a gossip.
Every thing you detailed as of influential affected my thinking and helped in creating my philosophy of life. “ I am a human being first, and everything else after that” become my mantra.
Your similar understanding of values in life make me happy because it shows that people from different parts of the world are connected in wanting the same things, and that is a wonderful feeling.
Thank you, Kaushal, again for being so generous in your words, greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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A fantastic post again Joanna. Thank you for your marvellous research and great links.
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You’re always welcome, Joanna! I appreciate every word of yours so written in response. Thanks so much!
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You are welcome, as always
Joanna
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Thank you, Peter, for your generous comments! Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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I watched the film before reading the book and so it was always the wonderful Gregory Peck who I saw as Atticus when I eventually read the book! An amazingly human study. Thank you Harper Lee, and thank you Joanna for featuring it here. 🤗💌💓🙋♂️
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Thank you, Ashley, for your lovely comments! I love the film, and Gregory Peck is my favourite actor.
To me he was embodiment of Atticus too.
Thank you, Ashley again, greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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This definitely caught my attention. Thanks Anita
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Thank you, Anita, for your kind comment. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Anita, for your kind comment. Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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I enjoyed reading To Kill a Mockingbird and watching the movie quite a few years ago. Robert and I watched the movie again recently. There are many things I appreciate about the story: its portrayal of growing up in a small southern town, the courage shown by Atticus Finch in defending someone unjustly accused in a racist society, warm and supportive family relationships, compassion for others…all very relatable.
My family lived in all-white small Pennsylvania towns until I was nine years old. In 1959, my father became the minister of a church in SE Virginia. The small community was rural and 3/4 black. I remember being terrified when first encountering black people on my first walk to the general store.
In a church board meeting, the question came up about what to do if some black people attended a church service. The consensus was that the members would get up and walk out of the service. Although I don’t believe my father was happy with this scenario, there was not much he could do about it.
When my mother had surgery, a church member sent her “girl” to help my mother out for a few days. I remember my mother setting a place for her at lunch. She declined to sit down with us to eat because she “knew her place.”
I experienced the peaceful integration of my school when I was thirteen and living in another small Virginia town. I attended college in a predominately black university in Washington DC in my late thirties and taught in an all-black elementary school for four years there.
Your beautiful, thoughtful review of To Kill a Mockingbird was very meaningful and personal to me. Thank you so much, Joanna!
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Thank you, Cheryl, for your beautiful and personal comments. Your memories illuminate the book most eloquently and add so much meaning.
Thank you again, Cheryl, and thank you for living well your life.
Joanna
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Oh, how I love this book! Thank you, Joanna, for these fascinating interviews and lovely music selections. ❤️😎
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Thank you for your lovely comment! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna xxx
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Excellent post, Joanna! I read this book a long, long time ago, but it’s on my list of classics to re-read this year. I don’t know why, but I’ve never seen the film, so now I want to as well. Gregory Peck is also a favorite. And this quote, how profound:
“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read.
One does not love breathing.”
Thank you!
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Thank you, Lauren, for your kind comments. Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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My pleasure always, Joanna. 🙂
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What a great post about the Novel! I completely agree that the book is a classic that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The themes of justice, bravery, and humanity are timeless and just as relevant today as they were when the book was first published.
Thanks for sharing this Joanna! 🙌
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Thank you, Ritish, for your insightful comments. You have put finger on the important point here,
all the books that give the message resonating with most people will endure the test of time.
Thank you, Ritish, again, greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Thank you Joanna for a wonderful share. Indeed positive and uplifting, I very much appreciate your post.
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Thank you, Henrietta, for your kind comment! I am so glad that you liked it. Greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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