To Kill a Mockingbird
The Most Controversial Southern Classic Novel
Introduction
We want to make sure that kids in school are getting the unfiltered truth when it comes to the history of the United States, right? Well, some people tend to disagree, especially when Harper Lee’s 1960 novel is involved. To Kill A Mockingbird is a world-renowned novel that became an instant success and even won Harper Lee a Pulitzer Prize.(Biography.com) The book has been included in required reading lists in schools all over America but is now getting removed from the list due to excessive use of the “N-word”. The novel tells a coming-of-age story with Scout Finch being the child protagonist during The Great Depression.(Foca) The novel does not hold back on how realistic and gritty the racism was in the south back in this time period. Personally, I was required to read this book in my middle school, but many other schools have this book banned.
About the Author
“Lee was born on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama. The youngest of four children, she grew up as a tomboy in a small town.”(Biography.com) Harper Lee excelled in school and kept her interest in literature in college after joining the Literary Honor Society. When she transferred to the University of Alabama, she quickly became a part of the school’s newspaper team. It was not until she moved to New York City that she would write To Kill a Mockingbird.
It was Lee’s friendship with Truman Capote that truly pushed her to be an established writer and even publishing her work.
Harper Lee lived a long life and died fairly recently in 2016.
About the Book
A book taking place in Alabama in the middle of The Great Depression in the 1930s was sure to have some troubling themes. Scout is a smart but troublesome young girl living alongside her brother Jem and their single father, Atticus Finch. The story starts off with simpler themes like Scout getting into trouble at school or having Atticus shoot a rabid dog to protect his family. As the story progresses it shows the gritty truth of the South at the time.
Tom Robinson is wrongfully accused of raping a woman, and not just any woman but a White woman. This puts Robinson in a dangerous position since he is a Black man that no one would believe in a courtroom. Robinson had a romantic relationship with the woman, but she lied so no one would know the truth. Atticus Finch being a well-respected lawyer, decided to take the case, but even he got negative backlash. “Atticus agrees to defend him despite threats from the community. At one point, he faces a mob intent on lynching” (Foca)
Tom Robinson is found guilty despite Atticus obviously proving his innocence. Scout and Jem are spectating the entire case and get upset and confused at the outcome. Robinson is then lynched.
The Banning
The novel has many dark themes in it so there is no surprise that some parents have gotten upset over their children being required to read it. Multiple complaints have led to many schools removing To Kill a Mockingbird out of their reading lists. This does not mean that the book is removed from the school entirely, “The books are still available in libraries, and students can read them on their own time.”(Phillips)
The use of the “n-word” has also met controversy. Some schools removed the book so awkward scenarios in classrooms could be skipped when it came to reading these pages.
“In 1966, a school board in Virginia invited the ire of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, who mocked the board in a letter.” (Phillips) Harper Lee as responded in a mature manner to the bans saying that they could just easily switch it out, but the bans seems uncalled for since it tells genuine history.
Opinion
I do not agree with most censorship and this is censorship I especially disagree with. While I personally agree the class readings can get awkward for a short period of time, the teacher is usually mature enough to get past it. I think we should learn as much as we can when it comes to unfiltered U.S. history. We should all be educated on things that could have really happened in the time period rather than have it censored from us.
The Legacy Lives On
Being banned in some schools has not stopped Harper Lee’s success in the slightest. Selling 40 plus million copies is an accomplishment she will always be proud of even in death. (Foca) The novel has received countless good reviews and won Harper Lee her first Pulitzer Prize.
In Conclusion
To conclude, I believe book banning should not be practiced when the book is showcasing history. These subjects are never easy or comfortable to learn about, but living in a world where we are unaware about our history is an even scarier one.
Works Cited
Foca, Anna. “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/topic/To-Kill-a-Mockingbird. Accessed 26 April. 2022
“Harper Lee.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 31 Mar. 2021, https://www.biography.com/writer/harper-lee. Accessed 26 April. 2022
Phillips, Kristine. “A school district drops ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and ‘Huckleberry Finn’ over use of the n-word.” Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2017 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2018/02/07/a-school-district-drops-to-kill-a-mockingbird-and-huckleberry-finn-over-use-of-the-n-word/. Accessed 26 April. 2022
