TheDaak review

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Arrow Books Ltd, 2015, paperback, 320 pages, ISBN: 978-1784752637, ₹279

by Aditya Barthwal

Literature has long been a tool for authors to hold a mirror to society and bring forth conversations that happen in whispers, to the public consciousness. It forces us to challenge our assumptions, expose social injustices and awaken our conscience to take action. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of the finest examples of how a piece of literature can prompt crucial conversations about prejudice in institutions and the crushing impact it has on systematically disadvantaged communities. Published in 1960, when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum, the novel’s visceral depiction of entrenched racism and how prejudice was weaponized through State has led it to become an important  work in American literature. 

The novel is written from the perspective of Scout and Jem Finch, children of Atticus Finch, a distinguished attorney. The book is set in the deep South of Alabama during the 1930s in a fictional town called Maycomb. Maycomb is an old, sleepy town. A town where everyone follows predictable daily activities. A close-knit community where everyone knows everyone, and most people are related to each other either by blood or marriage. The initial description of southern charm and idyllic lifestyle is slowly revealed to be a facade as the town’s long-held family histories and social hierarchies have ossified into distinct divisions between social classes. These distinctions are overtly visible in physical separation, with the African American community residing in a separate part of town known as ‘the Quarters’.  This difference is extended even to places of worship where the not-so-subtle irony of equality is preached. 

The insidious manifestations of racism are most impactful, not in the physical separation but in the psychological separation. Lee creates a vivid town, where all interactions among people begin with stereotypes based on their class. ‘‘It’s just goes to show you, all the Penfield women are flighty.’ Everybody in Maycomb, it seemed, had a Streak: a Drinking Streak, a Gambling Streak, a Mean Streak, a Funny Streak” (p. 142). In Maycomb County, class, not individual behaviour, is used as the yardstick to judge people. In essence, virtue is class-ridden, and morality is class-bound. The author seamlessly presents the interplay of these social narratives within the functioning of societal institutions like the education and the justice system. 

The centrepiece of To Kill a Mockingbird is the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. In the intricate world of the justice system, evidence serves as the cornerstone of the legal process. Evidence provides the factual foundation upon which decisions are made, guilt or innocence is determined, and justice is served. In cases like sexual assault, when concrete evidence is hard to come by, the trial often devolves into a battle of narratives. Each side presents a compelling account that weaves together facts, opinions, emotions, and perspectives to construct a coherent and convincing story. But what happens when emotions are biased, and perspectives are based on racist morality? Lady Justice is said to be blind, but is it truly ‘just’ to be blind to an unequal society?

These are the questions that are beautifully raised by the author through the trial. Atticus Finch, who is the father of the protagonist, valiantly strives to prove the innocence of Tom Robinson. Atticus is the moral compass in the story. A paragon of integrity, empathy, and morals, his presence resonates throughout the entire novel. He forges ahead with fortitude despite the racial prejudice and hostility he faces from the community. 

The trial scene is one of the finest depictions of witness examination in literature. The prosecution’s approach is firmly based on manipulation of facts. They seek to dismiss the defendant’s credibility by appealing to racial bias in the jury and presenting the resulting narratives in the society as natural. The prevailing social dynamic is so overwhelming and overpowering that Tom is unable to accuse a white woman of lying; instead, preferring to say that she is “mistaken in her mind” (p. 218). The racial narratives are entrenched in the society to the extent that the oppressed cannot break them even when their own life is at stake. The prosecution perpetuates the dehumanisation and marginalisation of Tom Robinson based on preconceived notions of guilt due to his race. The utter disregard for truth is starkly contrasted by Atticus’s approach. 

Atticus presents an unwavering dedication to providing Tom with a fair trial. He presents a compelling case that exposes the inconsistencies in the prosecution’s line of argument. His stoic demeanour is unaffected by the frequent innuendoes to prejudice the jury. He confronts the jury on their entrenched beliefs and urges them to pursue the truth rather than resorting to negative stereotypes associated with African Americans that perpetuate social injustice. The courtroom scene depicts the battle between the narratives employed by the oppressors and the unwavering commitment of those who have a belief in the power of truth and integrity. Through this, To Kill a Mockingbird poignantly showcases the devastating effect systemic racism has on the oppressed and the oppressors. 

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is unique because despite its examination of important issues like prejudice, justice, and its setting within the American judicial system, it is essentially a Bildungsroman. A Bildungsroman is a genre of literature which deals with novels about the formative years of the protagonist and their psychological and moral growth from their youth into adulthood. 

The seamless and effortless blending of the coming of age of the protagonists with discussions on the wider themes of education, justice and racism make the novel a pleasure to read. As with any coming-of-age book, we see the childlike innocence of the protagonists in dealing with everyday life. The attribution of the unknown to the supernatural, an inability to understand the adults’ way of thinking, and an idealistic concept of how the world works are all important facets of the story that make it charming to read. The novel beautifully presents situations where the deeper meaning is understood by the author and the reader, but the protagonist, due to her innocence, is unable to grasp the true meaning of the events she is witnessing. The writing style creates a deep connection between the readers and the story as they see the growth of the children, as if we are a member of the Finch household. The novel presents the growth of Scout, who grows to understand the injustices of the society they live in. This is where the central theme of the novel comes forward. 

“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (p. 99)

It is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they bring only beauty and do no harm. The Maycomb community would rather validate their deeply ingrained prejudices with closed eyes than pursue the truth and protect the innocent. The book encourages us to view the world with compassion and empathy. A just and inclusive society is one which challenges prejudice and stereotypes, protects marginalised individuals who are unfairly targeted and stands up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. It is a sin to harm the innocent and we must treat all individuals with dignity and respect, regardless of their race or social status.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee serves as a reminder of the power of literature in pushing society towards  justice. The way it addresses social inequality through the eyes of children slowly realizing the evils of the society they live in, makes it a must read for anyone with an appreciation for the art of storytelling. Its impact will continue to reverberate with readers for generations to come.