Shandi Sturgill

 I had forgotten how well written this book was. There’s no denying Ms. Lee sketches some wonderful characters: Atticus, Jem, and Dill are at the top of my list. And of course Scout is a charming narrator. However, on this second reading the lyricism of the prose stuck out to me. Through some beautiful writing Lee is able to transport her readers to Maycomb; you can see the Finch’s street in your mind’s eye, and feel the oppressive summer heat. Lee also artfully blends the voices of Scout as a child and as an adult.

Since I read more slowly and deliberately this time around I was able to pick up on themes that did not fully resonate with me previously. The most prominent theme is that justice should be blind. What drove this home for me is when Atticus says “…that boy may go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told”. Atticus is well aware of the environment in which he lives, and he knows he has little chance of getting Tom the verdict he deserves. Yet Atticus also strongly believes in justice. If he can get the jury to listen rather than see, to be blind, they will know what the truth is. They will know the young man before them physically and, more importantly, morally could not have committed the crime of which he is accused.

This is a moving piece of literature, to put it concisely. It will make you contemplate many questions that are still relevant today. The characters and the town of Maycomb will stay with you long after you have read the last page and closed the book. If it’s been years since you have pick up this gem know that it is worth a second (and third, and fourth) read.