Required Reading

Lee has a great wit and vivid descriptions of the space and culture that is "Maycomb". Read again the reason Atticus doesn't like criminal law on page 5. And how about the description of the heat and culture of Maycomb on pages 5 and 6? I am not sure if it is fair to size up a man from the things he does at 10. Jem is a good boy who loves his sister and is being raised by a black cook and a father who is lonely. Some of the great significance of this work is the time in which it was written and published-1960. This was just a little after schools were segregated and we realized that we had a race problem in America. Atticus is principled. Poor Scout doesn't know when to shut up. And she's so smart (p. 20). And isn't it hilarious that Miss Caroline doesn't want Atticus to teach Scout any more that it would interfere with her reading (p. 19). She's making fun of teachers who take themselves too seriously (and well she should). When I read a book I am always mindful of the dedication in the front of the book and the part in the book where the origins of the title of the book are presented. It is note worthy of the respect that Miss Maudie has for Atticus when she says "Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets." This isn't a fast moving book but life isn't either. The pace of the book reflects the time it represents and the way we really live. There are many reasons this book is required reading. But the really neat thing, I love it!