Mockingbirds

At the beginning of Chapter 10, Atticus tells Jem and Scout that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Miss Maudie (who else?) explains that "mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy." As I read the court proceedings, specifically of Mayella's Ewell's testimony, it occurred to me there is more than one mockingbird in this book. Poor Mayella. Poor, dumb, bigoted, lonely, unhappy, abused white girl. She's goin' down and she's taking Tom with her. Although I view her with disgust and shame, do you ever wonder why some are born Kennedys and others are born Ewells? Of course, unlike a mockingbird (although Nathan says they just make a bunch of loud noise) she doesn't do much to brighten the world. But what a victim!! However, there were more than several moments to snicker over in these chapters:

"Will you write your name and show us?"
"I most positively will. How do you think I sign my relief checks?"

When Gilmer objects to Atticus browbeating the witness (Mayella) and the Judge says:

"Oh sit down, Horace, he's doing nothing of the sort. If anything, the witness's browbeating Atticus."

Now the book is getting heavy. It isn't fun anymore. However, it is still an essential read. By the way, what is the next book?