About "To Kill A Mockingbird"
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Grammar note:  I know that the title of a book is supposed to be in italics.  But at the top of this page, the title of the page is generated by Microsoft FrontPage.  Using this method of designing a web site, I know of no way to italicize the title of the book in this page's title.  I point this out to prevent others thinking I'm illiterate on this score.

This is one of my favorite books.  Most people in the United States have read this book or have seen the movie.  Many schools assign the book to be read by their students.

What most people get out of the book is a story on racial prejudice and hatred.  While that is there, I think there are more, equally important, elements to the book.  You can notice many of the other themes if you read the book.  The movie mostly ignored or glossed over these other aspects.

I think the most important theme in the book--which I have not seen discussed by anyone else--is the way the children come to grow in their appreciation for their father--especially Scout's learning.  There are several places where this is apparent.

When the rabid dog is coming down the street, and the sheriff asks Atticus to take the shot with the rifle, Scout's first reaction is oh no, not him, he can't shoot!  But Atticus kills the dog with one shot, astounding his children.  To further their education, the sheriff tells them that their father is the best shot in the county.  Up to this point, the author had made it clear that Scout was a little disappointed in her father, as he was not like other fathers, in that he had no athletic ability, or whatever.  This seemed to be a turning point for Scout.

The other major educational point for Scout was the last courthouse scene, after the jury had returned its guilty verdict, and Tom had been led away.  Watching from the balcony, Scout observed her father, alone on the floor, packing his papers.  When Atticus began to leave, the preacher tapped her on her shoulder and said, "Scout, stand up.  Your daddy is passing by."  Scout looked around and saw that all the black people in the balcony with her were standing to pay their respect to this honorable man, her father.

When you think about it, you begin to realize that the book actually said very little about Atticus Finch.  Nearly all we know of him is from how other people treat him.  We do hear him preaching to his children, on many occasions.  But all parents do that, so we can't trust that as our guide.  It is the respect and admiration of the community that tells us what Atticus is really like.  Ironically, his children are the last to know.  And I think this part of the book is as important as any other.

Please feel free to send me comments about anything you see here
My E-Mail Address: dan_pressnell@yahoo.com