Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird... “To Kill a Mockingbird” Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird heroes

Killing a mockingbird is a great sin. The mockingbird is the most harmless bird; it only sings for our joy.

The novel takes place during the Great Depression in the American South in the provincial town of Maycomb, Alabama. The story is told from the perspective of one of the main characters of the book - the girl Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed Little Eye, who lives with her brother, lawyer father and black nanny.

This is a multifaceted work, this is a novel about the life and everyday life of a family, about the childhood of two children, about the confrontation between whites and people of color, stretching from the past, about an honest lawyer trying to instill important qualities in his children, about provincial society, about tolerance and misunderstanding, about honesty and trust.

The father of two children, lawyer Atticus Finch is a man of strong convictions and high moral principles. He considers the main thing in raising children not external gloss, but the inner world, personality traits, character traits, and beliefs. The main thing is honesty, responsibility for one’s words and actions, a sense of justice, restraint, perseverance in the face of adversity, and mutual assistance.

The reader is presented with the story of Little Eye and Jim growing up; we see how their beliefs, views on life, people, and justice change and become clearer over time. They are surprisingly sensitive natures, deeply experiencing injustice and understanding those things that most children their age do not even consider important. We see how they change, learn life lessons and learn to live according to the laws of this world, which is often very difficult.

It’s amazing what kind of relationship a father has with the children he raises alone. They deeply trust him, try to understand in those moments when they do not agree with him, and he responds to the children in the same way. He does not try to deceive them, but speaks as with equals, explaining the undisguised truth of life; he does not hide behind hackneyed phrases and does not brush aside questions, but patiently explains the essence of things.

The book is amazing, heartfelt, touching and honest. Before the reader’s eyes, images traditional for provincial America of the 30s of the last century appear: neighbor gossips who love to gossip, respectable ladies sitting over a cup of tea, a doctor, a sheriff, a priest, a lawyer, a judge, colorful images of blacks. The world is shown through the eyes of children, but their view is not clouded by prejudices and false dogmas.

Rating: 10

This is the case when it is pleasing to see the absence of prefaces in modern publications. While publications originally from the USSR fell into my hands, these same prefaces discouraged any desire to read Harper Lee’s novel. Like, if they write that this book is a protest against social and racial injustice, then again they are slipping us some terribly progressive author, whose works will make you yawn so much that your jaw will ache...

Information about a Pulitzer Prize for a book published in 1960 was again not particularly encouraging. Various liberals there also know how to give awards not to those who are talented, but to those who have scribbled something topical. Some “Uncle Tom's Cabin” in a new way. Everyone knows that “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is a tearful and so implausible thing that African Americans themselves have made the words “Uncle Tom” almost a curse...

In general, I started reading with the thought: “I’ll read twenty pages and then drag it back to the library.” But in the end I read avidly and until I got over it, I didn’t go to bed...

Of course, there were oppressed blacks there, but the matter was not limited to them alone. Once again I took a trip to that distant and already in many ways mysterious country called Childhood. I’m used to walking into it along secret paths laid by such explorers as Bradbury (may his soul rest in eternal bliss in the world of Dandelion Wine) and Stephen King. And then they took me up some stairs into some closet, handed me a special magical device and said: “You will see the world through the eyes of the most vigilant and intelligent creature in the entire Universe. And this is not Albert Einstein or the bug-eyed Martian octopus. She's a simple girl from a small American town."

And I hope that others will also see the world through her eyes. And they will understand that they cannot hide from children the fact that injustice reigns in the world we have created. Let the children see everything as it is. Let them ask their unexpectedly pointed questions, otherwise we will get used to getting off with the phrase “That’s how it should be!”

Rating: 10

This book is a self-teacher for goodness, a thing that is definitely worth reading. Any age. Better yet, read it several times. Twice - for myself: in childhood - to understand that there is good and bad in the world. And to realize that good and bad are often very difficult to see if you look only with your eyes, and judge a person only by appearance and skin color. In youth - to learn that you can understand a person only by putting yourself in his place, and that you always need to fight. And once again - necessarily - not for yourself, but for your children - in order to understand HOW to you need to educate them if you want them to grow up to be real people. People like Atticus, Jim and Jean Louise...

Rating: 10

I’ve heard the expression more than once: “It’s like killing a mockingbird.” And finally I read To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee Harper. If you start talking about how America of the 1930s is described, the problems of racism, issues of justice, it becomes a little boring. But the book is not like that at all. Perhaps because the story is told on behalf of an 8-year-old girl. And she talks about herself, her brother, her father, her neighbors, a certain Scarecrow Radley, whose secret holds suspense throughout the book, about her growing up... The book must be read. That's fair. Not even because it is well written, that it is easy to read, that you look at many things differently. But because the truth speaks through the mouth of a child. And perhaps Little Eye will give you answers to many questions, and you will never kill a mockingbird.

And a few catchy quotes:

There's nothing to fear but fear

There are such people who think too much about the next world and therefore never learn to live in this world.

If you manage to hit a jay, shoot as many of them as you like, but remember: killing a mockingbird is a great sin.

A person has something that does not obey the majority - this is his conscience. You see, baby, if someone calls you a word that seems swearing to them, it’s not an insult at all. This is not offensive, but only shows how pathetic this person is.

Whatever it is, every crowd consists of people.

Courage is when you know in advance that you have lost, and yet you get down to business and, despite everything in the world, go to the end. You win very rarely, but sometimes you still win.

Rating: 10

An extraordinary kind, warm and wise work about growing up, the relationship between fathers and children, the older generation and the younger, racism, tolerance, the ability to understand and true friendship. Even the most minor characters appear before us as if alive: it seems that the terribly grumpy and nasty, but unusually courageous old woman Mrs. Dubose lives on your street, and your neighbor is the kind and sensitive Miss Maudie, you see the strict but honest black woman Calpurnia returning every evening home, and the Radley house simultaneously attracts and repels you with its terrible secret. Atticus Finch, the father of the main character and her brother, and Judge Taylor (a most colorful character!) attract with their honesty, integrity and true humanity. Maycomb in 1935 became dear and familiar after reading the novel.

Harper Lee convincingly shows us that people should be judged “by their deeds,” and not by the color of their skin, beliefs, religious affiliation, etc. For America, this topic was more relevant than ever in the 60s, when African Americans sought to be considered full members of society; for Russia today it has not lost its relevance. After all, how easy it is to live by labeling everything and everyone or by taking on faith ready-made “systematization” and stereotypes!

But “Atticus is right. He once said, “You really get to know a person only when you get into his skin and walk around in it.” That's what Jim and Jean Louise "Eyes" Finch learned to do - learn to understand. “Jim and I will still grow,” thinks Little Eye, “but we have little left to learn, except maybe algebra.”

And a significant role in such moral education was played by their father, the lawyer Atticus, who was their senior comrade and mentor and set an example for the children with his worthy life. But Little Eye and Jim learn from the whole city, every event carries something new for them. Even in people you don't like very much, you can find qualities that are worthy of imitation.

And finally, I will give a quote that is the life credo of Atticus Finch and, perhaps, subsequently his children:

“I wanted you to see real courage, and not imagine that courage is when a person has a gun in his hands. Courage is when you know in advance that you have lost, and yet you get down to business and, despite everything in the world, go to the end. You win very rarely, but sometimes you do win.”

Rating: 10

It is a pity that this work is not included in the compulsory literature curriculum in high school. Very correct and serious moral and moral lessons, in an easy and understandable form. At the same time, the life of teenagers is also described colorfully and interestingly - fights, hooliganism, adventures.

On the other hand, it is useful for current (and future) parents. We must never forget that a child takes his example primarily from his mother and father. In other words, as Matt Groening said, in order for your child not to be Bart Simpson, you yourself must not be Homer Simpson.

Rating: 10

Doctor Pilyulkin's prescription: recommended for reading for any complications in life, such as depression, melancholy, indifference, laziness, envy, hatred and other ailments. It has no negative side effects, so if you are in a good state of mind and body, it is even more recommended.

Harper Lee poured out her soul for us in one great work, which is why she was never able to write anything else. The bar is too high!

Beauty could definitely save our world, the only trouble is that almost no one reads such books anymore...

Rating: 10

What is an ordinary provincial American town of the 30s of the last century? Like Maycomb? A place tired of the heat, where there is “nowhere to go and nothing to buy”? But you just have to look at this town through the little peephole (meet her, Jean Louise Finch), and a lot opens up that changes your view. It turns out that the old hag Miss Dubose has courage that not every man has. It turns out that Atticus, who, in general, did not look like a hero in the eyes of the children, it turns out, once bore the nickname “Finch-No-Miss.” Yes, a lot more is being discovered. And, of course, don’t even think about going near the Radley house - after all, the Scarecrow lives there! They say he wields scissors!

The magnificent novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” touches each reader in something different. But it seems to me that Lee Harper both loves people and at the same time admits that yes, well, there is such a thing - let’s go shoot a person for his skin color. They condemned him for daring to glance at a white woman. That is, the novel contains a subtle hint that you, dear reader, are, in principle, capable of going somewhere at night with a gun. And that sometimes it takes a little child to make people come to their senses. And if you, the reader, are not capable of this, then thank God, it means that this and other novels are slowly doing their job! It is this amazing humanity that makes the book good. And a lot of other things too. Judge Taylor alone is worth it. And the incredibly touching episodes in the finale?

Truly happy are those who were lucky enough to get acquainted with the book in childhood. It’s been a long time since a book touched me so deeply, and what’s nice is that you can return to it after some time. They say the sequel is worse. Here's my dilemma - I'm afraid to read. Of course, it couldn’t have happened without Huck Finn’s approval, in my opinion. But you know what? Twenty-seven years later, Idgie Threadgoode from the equally famous Fried Green Tomatoes and Lily Owens from The Secret Life of Bees (42 years later) will go to spell bees. And yet, in their travels, they no, no, and will look back at their great little predecessor - Jean Louise Finch.

A multifaceted, almost universal novel, with warm humor, not without some sarcasm, a surprisingly humane and sunny (bright!) story, about which you sigh when it ends.

P.S. Yes Yes. Originally Scout. But the novel has a good translation. Nora Gal after all. Now some translator would translate it as “Scout”. And what? And “black -lump”, “when will the tail pinches” and dozens of other successful language finds? The novel has a good translation! And the film of the same name, despite the not very clever dubbing (but they tried their best there too), not in vain won as many as three statuettes - recommended.

Rating: 10

“Almost all people are good, Little Eye, when you finally understand them.”

And also, “And because, even though we were beaten in advance, a hundred years before the start, we still have to fight and try to win.”

This book is about discipleship and honor or honor and discipleship. Being a child is the hardest thing in the world. You stumbled a little... and you are already an adult who, knowing about justice, acts unfairly. And it’s disgusting, it makes you want to cry, and angry childish tears flow.

How to learn to always be a child and understand that all people are good? Don’t go out of your way and remember that only you yourself can kill the Mockingbird in yourself when you stop believing in yourself and keeping the truth.

This is a wonderful book. Real.

Rating: 10

A very good American book for Americans. A book about a decent person, for whom the word Honor is not an empty phrase. About the proper upbringing that such a person can give to his children. We have a saying when we need to send someone: “The sheriff doesn’t care about Indian/Negro problems.” So the topic of oppressed blacks is not close to me, and American ideas about “judicial justice”, equality, democracy, freedom (especially considering what it all ultimately led to)... Well, I don’t like American cents...

But we are still talking about a literary work, and not about politics... Therefore, if I were an American, I would give the book a 10, and since I am Russian, then 7 points, since well, I don’t care about the life of blacks in the 1930s in America.. But I will definitely watch the film of the same name, which received 3 Oscars.

Rating: 7

Most likely, you have had this feeling more than once. When reading a book, you physically feel what is written, be it taste, smell or sound. I only had this feeling three times. For the first time it was Simmons' "The Terror", which made me feel cold even under a warm blanket. The second time a similar feeling came when I was reading “The Song of Kali” by the same Simmons, namely sticky sweat, from the category that, like cling film, covers the entire body, makes you feel terribly uncomfortable. This is the third time old King has tried his best in the story “1922.” And although I didn’t particularly like the story, the smell of rats followed me for a couple of days.

They also say that when you read “The Woman in the Sand” by Kobo Abe, sand crunches on your teeth.

You're probably thinking, "What's all this for?" I'll explain now.

What did I expect from the novel? "To Kill a Mockingbird..." is Southern Gothic. But I have a strong association of Southern Gothic = True Detective. So I expected... hmm... most likely a thriller, perhaps with elements of mysticism, religion, etc. Something like Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects” (you can’t compare these novels, but what can you do), with the syrupy, unhealthy atmosphere of the southern outback, where everyone has a horde of skeletons in their closet. I wanted to feel that oppressive southern heat, the putrid smell of the swamps or something.

Well, I’m ready to admit that what I got was absolutely not what I expected. And I am incredibly happy about this.

And what I received, I’m not afraid of this word, was a magnificent novel about childhood and growing up, racial discrimination and a small rebellion against prejudice. The novel is about the fact that regardless of age, status or skin color, one must remain human.

The family of lawyer Atticus Finch lives in the town of Maycomb, Alabama: Atticus himself, son Jim and daughter Jean Louise or Peeper. The children go to school, in the summer I play all day long with my friend Dill, who comes for the holidays, act out skits and try to see the local recluse “Scarecrow” Radley. Everything changes when Atticus begins to defend in court a black man who is accused of raping a white girl.

Harper Lee made a very good move by describing all the events from the point of view of little Eye. After all, children, with their spontaneity, are able to discern the truth, not paying attention to subterfuge and “juggling with words.” On the other hand, Little Eye does not yet fully understand everything he sees or hears. After all, from the point of view of a child, there is not much difference which church to go to: a regular one or a black one. And it’s not clear why you can’t go to visit a black housekeeper. Gradually, first Jim and then Jean Louise, the children grow up and the point of view changes a little. They are no longer so naive, but they still cannot fully understand the actions of adults.

On the other hand, it is a social drama about people who are trying to change their town. Here is Atticus, who meets lynch mobs with a newspaper, and Miss Maudie, who with an apt phrase shuts up the “true believers” of society ladies, and Dolphus Raymond, pretending to be a drunkard to make it easier for people, and the newspaper editor, ready to sit on guard all night with a gun, and even the reluctant Cunningham. The characters turned out to be a sight for sore eyes.

Bottom line. A truly good novel, despite the themes it raises, about little people and a small town. A piece of sunny Alabama on these cold winter evenings.

Rating: 10

As a child, my sister and I had a radio in our room and there was only one radio station - “Radio Russia”, every evening literary readings were broadcast on it... that’s how I first heard about this book. I didn’t manage to listen to it in its entirety then, but for some reason I remembered that the book was very good...

Not long ago I learned that there is a film of the same name based on this book - released in 1962, with Gregory Peck in the role of Atikuss Finch. For some reason, I watched the movie first, and a little later I read the book, which made an even greater impression on me.

The book is amazing. What is it about? The actions take place during times of crisis (1935), on the eve of the First World War..

The story is told from the perspective of a tomboyish girl, Jean Louise, nicknamed “Eye Eye,” whose father, Atikuss Finch, is a lawyer in a small town in Alabama. For myself, I identified three main characters - Atikuss, Little Eye, Jim. We observe everything that happens through the prism of children's perception.

There are two storylines in the book. The first tells about the society of that time - about the prejudices and racial prejudices of the “southerners” and the events developing on this basis, in the center of which the main characters find themselves.

The second storyline tells about Atticus's children growing up, who develop concepts such as justice, responsibility, compassion and social inequality. The child's mind is inquisitive and rich and nothing escapes him. So many times while reading, a lump came to my throat when, with her simplicity and understanding, Little Eye confused both the characters and the reader. Despite the dramatic tone of the whole work, the book is very kind. I would recommend it to absolutely everyone, but especially to children and their parents.

The novel is in some way autobiographical - it was based on events from the author’s life, and she herself became the prototype of Peeper... if anyone didn’t know (and I personally didn’t know until recently), Harper Lee is a woman and this is her only novel, which became more than just bestseller, but also a universally recognized masterpiece.

Spoiler (plot reveal)

PS: I would like to note that the film did not distort the book at all, it slightly shortened the time frame in which the events took place, which does not affect the plot in any way. The film says nothing about the fire in Miss Maudie's house, the reading for Miss Dubose, or the "mophrodite" snowman. Many minor characters have been removed, giving a more complete picture of the people of Macob. But even taking all this into account, the main idea is preserved and, if you are too lazy to read, I would highly recommend at least watching the film.

Rating: 10

“A person has something that does not obey the majority - this is his conscience.”

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. What is revelation? This is when you manage to express all your (correctly) innermost thoughts and feelings and convey them to others. So, Miss Lee coped with this task excellently, and before us is a novel-revelation.

I would not insist on the fact that the book is about formation - yes, it is, but not so much for its own sake, but as a means of showing events and people honestly in a childish way. Only a child will directly notice which of the adults can barely stand on their feet at eight in the morning, and whose only occupation is spreading gossip. Adults are, after all, more tactful. And of course, it is how others behave with children and what they are trying to convey to them that shows who is who in reality.

“Look!” said Miss Maudie and, clicking her tongue, showed me how her dentures were removed, which finally sealed our friendship.”

First of all, this is a novel about people - their characters and actions, and, as we know, these are most clearly shown in harsh, extreme conditions, for example, in war (hello to Herr Remarque), or in a fantastic/fantasy environment. However, realism awaits us here. No, not harsh, not cruel and not dirty. On the contrary, this novel is fully worthy of its 12+ label; it can and should be read to children of middle and high school age. There is no obsessive moralizing here (although some may mistake Atticus’s strict integrity for this, for example), the language is simple and fascinating, but it is the lightness and unobtrusiveness, in contrast with the deep themes that were touched upon, that make the “aftertaste” of the novel brighter and longer.

There are several main plot threads; in addition to them, the action is filled with various small events of various emotional shades, which is why, upon first reading, UP reminded me of the well-known “Dandelion Wine”.

It is not so much Atticus who raises his children as the novel who educates the reader, however, just as imperceptibly, not by hammering home truths, but by forcing them to independently feel what injustice, pain, gloating is, as well as indomitable optimism, courage, and conscience.

And here we are back to the opening quote. Conscience as a character trait is placed at the forefront here. Atticus Finch is a man of conscience who raises two children alone (but not entirely) and shows by his example that neither prejudice nor the opinion of the majority can ever be higher than justice. Most of all, this person is afraid of slipping up, because then he will not be able to look his children in the eyes. Personally, he reminded me of Jean Valjean, although the Frenchman is more of a self-sacrificing man, but both of them are stubborn with a calm, quiet stubbornness, and are ready to do anything for the sake of their principles.

Children are children, they learn, they change, they grow. Curious and, thanks to their father, honest, with a living, keenly feeling heart.

“When I grow up, I’ll probably become a clown,” said Dill.

Jim and I stood rooted to the spot in surprise.

Yes, a clown,” he said. “Nothing works out for me with people, all I can do is laugh at them, so I’ll go to the circus and laugh until I drop.”

“You got it all mixed up, Dill,” Jim said. - The clowns themselves are sad, but everyone laughs at them.

Well, let it be, but I’ll be another clown. I’ll stand in the middle of the arena and laugh in everyone’s face.”

The supporting characters are quite typical: the conservative aunt Alexandra, the maid Cal, who accepts the children as her own, Sheriff Tate (and his position in the penultimate chapter), Miss Maudie (special bravo to her), the courageous witch Miss Dubose, the Cunninghams - stern, stubborn, independent, and honest in their own way.

But the first violin is still with Atticus, although in the penultimate chapter his adherence to principles irritated me personally, but, firstly, it is possible to understand him, and secondly, this was almost the only case when he was confused. How amazingly he behaved before and during the trial, what an example he set for the children and (hopefully for all of Macob),

Spoiler (plot reveal) (click on it to see)

how he went out alone against everyone he considered, if not friends, then good neighbors, armed with a newspaper and ready to fight to the death.

“Courage is when you know in advance that you have lost, and yet you get down to business and, despite everything in the world, go to the end. You win very rarely, but sometimes you do win.”

“Now we are fighting not with the Yankees, but with our friends. But remember, no matter how brutally we have to fight, these are still our friends and our native land.”

It’s a pity, an infinite pity for Tom Robbins, it’s a pity that despite all the efforts and courage of Finch, Tom was in advance (virtually?)

Spoiler (plot reveal) (click on it to see)

doomed and painful to realize that the cause of his death were human meanness, fear and ossification.

The second sad note, this time not so much of Doom as of Loneliness, is, of course, Arthur Radley, aka the Scarecrow. A quarter of a century of seclusion is a damn long time. But when the Scarecrow’s children needed help, he came. Surely, this was the very act for which he lived in this world, forgotten by everyone and worried only by a handful of children.

“Our neighbor was the scarecrow. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch with a chain, two pennies for good luck - and he also gave us life. But to your neighbors you reciprocate a gift with a gift. But we only took from the hollow and never put anything there, we didn’t give him anything, and this is very sad.”

So Miss Lee, in fact, lived for more than a century in order to leave behind her only (for some time) novel, rightfully considered one of the best books of the twentieth century.

P.S. Once upon a time, it was “To Kill a Mockingbird” together with another imperishable film - “Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Kesey that made me take a different look at modern classics and fall in love with this genre.

I gradually came to the conclusion that the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” could be called twice, the first time when the unfortunate Tom Robinson, who only wanted to help, was illegally accused of rape... Here we see a clear example of racism and understand that equality in 1936 America was only in words...

The second time was when Atticus went against his principles and it was decided to announce that the bastard Ewell had run into his own knife.

But if in the first case they really killed the “mockingbird”, which was harmless and did not harm anyone, then in the second case the “mockingbird” was simply saved from everyone’s attention, which for him would have been tantamount to death...

The book is very reminiscent of several works: “A Boy’s Life”, “Summer of Night”, “Summer of a Mad Dog” in content, nature of the narrative, and plot. And what they have in common is that they are all very easy to read and with rapture, and it was simply impossible to tear yourself away from them...

Rating: 10

In the words of Homer Simpson, I thought this book would teach me how to kill a mockingbird, but after reading it, I realized that you should not judge people by their appearance and their prejudices.

A brilliant novel. Tragic and even scary in his own way, but at the same time very kind, gentle and funny, imbued with humanism and love. Love for people, childhood, friends and family.

Rating: 9

Still from the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962)

30s of the XX century. City of Maycomb, Alabama. The story is told on behalf of a nine-year-old girl, Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed Little Eye.

Part one

Little Eye lived in a small house located on the main street of Maycomb. The Finch family was one of the oldest in the area and consisted of three people. The head of the family, Atticus, a lawyer, worked as a defense attorney in court and ran his own law office. He was widowed several years ago and raised two children alone. The age difference between Little Eye and her older brother Jim was four years. The dark-skinned maid Calpurnia, a strict but kind woman, helped Atticus raise his children. The children were a little afraid of her.

This story happened the year that Brother Jim broke his arm, and it all started with Scarecrow Radley. These Redleys, who lived next door to the Finches, were an unsociable family. The older members of this family very rarely left the house, and no one had seen their son at all for a very long time. Once a guy got involved with bad company, and his father locked him in the house. It was Radley Jr. who was called the Scarecrow. All the children in the city were afraid of him, and they avoided the neglected house. There were many legends about this man, and the Radley house was considered cursed.

The legend of the Scarecrow fascinated the new neighbor Eyeball. A boy named Dill came to his aunt for the summer holidays and became friends with the Finches. All summer, new friends tried to lure the Scarecrow out of the house, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

In the fall, Little Eye went to school. Now she had to walk past the “cursed house” every day. Tall Virginia oaks grew near the house. One day, Little Eye found a bag of gum in the hollow of one of the oak trees, and a little later, a box with two “lucky” pennies. The children could only guess who these gifts were from.

The next summer Dill came again, and the children returned to their favorite pastime - luring the Scarecrow out of the house. This continued until Atticus forbade the children from pestering their neighbors and acting out scenes from their lives. Despite the ban, the children still managed to get involved in the story. Before leaving, Dill was drawn to the Scarecrow's house again. He tried to get close to him in the dark and look out the window. Of course, he was not alone. The group of kids was caught by Radley Sr. He mistook them for thieves and began firing his gun. While running away, Jim got stuck under a barbed wire fence and returned home without his pants. When he came to the fence to get his clothes, he found his trousers neatly folded and clumsily mended.

In the fall, the children again found gifts in the hollow, until Mr. Radley covered the hiding place with cement. The winter that year was very cold. Houses had to be heated, and one night the house next door to the Finches caught fire. Atticus threw the children out into the street. While Little Eye was looking at the fire, someone carefully covered her with a blanket. The children guessed that it was the Scarecrow.

Shortly after the fire, Atticus was assigned to defend a black guy who allegedly raped a white girl. Atticus could not give up this case, because he believed in the innocence of his client. The townspeople and residents of the area did not like blacks and condemned Atticus. This also affected the children. They couldn't bear to hear their father being insulted and came home bruised.

Part two

Spring came, and the Finch family increased by one person - Aunt Alexandra came to live with them. She used to live on a family farm near the city, but Little Eye was growing up, and Alexandra decided to move in with her brother and support him. The aunt put her own order in the house and even tried to fire the dark-skinned maid Calpurnia, but Atticus did not allow her to do so.

After some time, Dill joined the group of children again. He ran away from his mother and stepfather. A week later, Tom Robinson, who was defended by Atticus, was transferred to the city jail. On the first night, Atticus himself guarded the prison doors. Farmers who came from all over the area intended to lynch the unfortunate man. The situation was saved by the children, who wanted to know where their father had gone. Little Eye recognized one of the farmers, and they were unable to accomplish their plan in front of the child.

Almost all residents of the district came to the trial. During the trial, Atticus proved that Tom is innocent. In fact, the girl was seeking Tom's favor. Bob Ewell caught his daughter doing this and beat her, blaming the black guy. Despite circumstantial evidence of innocence, the jury did not acquit Tom. Until now in Maycomb a Negro had never been acquitted if he confronted a white man. Traditionally, the white man is always right, so Tom was sentenced to death and sent to a prison farm. Typically, such verdicts were reached in a matter of minutes, but this time the jury deliberated for several hours and had difficulty reaching an agreement. Atticus considered this his small victory and was confident that he could save Tom from the electric chair. Unfortunately, Tom died trying to escape from prison.

Ewell, whom Atticus made a fool of at the trial, threatened everyone at the hearing. He pestered Tom's widow and broke into the judge's house. The children were afraid for their father, but he did not take it seriously.

On All Saints' Day the school held a celebration and a costume performance. The Little Eye represented a ham in it. On the way home, the children were attacked by Bob Ewell. Only a suit with a wire frame saved the girl from death. That's when Jim broke his arm. The children would not have returned home if a stranger had not helped them. He killed Ewell and carried Jim home, unconscious from pain. This man turned out to be Scarecrow Radley - a timid, fearful and sick man. The sheriff ruled Ewell's death a suicide. He couldn't expose Radley to everyone, because that would be the same as killing a mockingbird, a defenseless songbird.

Many people, before reading a particular book, first try to find various reviews about it. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a work that has gathered a huge audience of people who are extremely pleased with reading this masterpiece and are deeply impressed by it, so it is only natural that many are trying to learn about it in more detail.

Author's story

Like many others, the author of this work is recognized as a “genius of one book.” The thing is that the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” remained Harper’s only work, but for this book, which eventually received a full translation into almost all languages of the world, the writer was awarded the most honorable Pulitzer Prize.

Subsequently, Library Journal recognized this work as the best novel written in America throughout the twentieth century, and over time, the author was also awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.

The author herself has repeatedly spoken out about the success of her work. If we talk about the content of the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” then this is a description of the main problems of society of that time, as well as their vision from the child’s side, and Harper did not even expect any success of this work. Even more: the author believed that in the hands of critics the novel was doomed to a quick “death.” But at the same time, she thought that someone might still like the book, and in the future she continued to write anyway. In other words, when she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, she hoped for very little, but ended up with much more.

What is this book?

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that was published back in 1960. The author of this work is an American woman named Harper Lee, and it itself belongs to the genre of an educational novel. It is worth noting that, unlike most other masterpieces known today, this work was almost immediately recognized by the world community, and a year later received

Special attention should be paid to the fact that the characters and plot are based on the author's personal observations of his family and neighboring families near his hometown. Basically, these memories, according to the writer herself, are taken from 1936, when she was only 10 years old. Despite the fact that the book is initially educational, it receives extremely flattering reviews from readers of all age categories. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is now included in the compulsory school curriculum in the United States; it is currently studied in approximately 80% of the total number of American schools.

The novel is known to many for its unique humor and unique warmth. This atmosphere of the work remains, even despite the fact that during the reading process such serious things as racism and rape are discussed. The narrator's father, whose name is Atticus Finch, is a true example of morality for every reader, and also represents a unique example of an honest lawyer. As the Russian critic E.B. Kuzmin said, Harper Lee, with his help, gives a lesson in high human and civic courage, because Atticus, in fact, is an absolutely ordinary and inconspicuous person, but at the same time he is shown here through the perception of children, who are passionately worried about every his action and ultimately gain something really important themselves.

Perhaps that is why even children leave positive reviews about this novel. “To Kill a Mockingbird” suggests that every child has a sense of justice, which is innate, but over time, under the influence of the world around them, children begin to acquire all sorts of prejudices, gradually dulling this sense more and more.

Awards and prizes

According to the BBC in 2003, this novel took sixth position in the ranking of the world's 200 best books, and at the beginning of 2016 its total circulation had already reached 30 million copies. The Russian translation of this work was carried out by Raisa Oblonskaya and Nora Gal, which may be of interest to those who were positively influenced by this novel and left positive reviews about it. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books that every person must read. Officially, this opinion is supported only by the US government.

The author created characters based on real personalities, this is a well-known fact. Thus, the prototype of Dill, the friend of the main characters, is an American writer named with whom the writer was friends in her childhood, since he lived next door.

It's also worth mentioning the fact that Finch isn't a random last name, it's Harper's father's nickname.

Main messages

In the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" the plot unfolds around the touching story of one family who lives in a small town called Mayomb. The whole action takes place during the thirties of the last century, during the Great Depression, and the story itself is told to us by a girl at the age of eight.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, the plot shows readers an incredibly complex, ambiguous and contradictory world that opens up to the eyes of a child, and with it, it also flashes before the reader. This universe has everything: adult problems and children's fears, bitter reality and an unyielding thirst for justice, the complexities of this family and racial problems that were extremely relevant at that time for the American South.

To Kill a Mockingbird centers on the trial of a black man who is accused of a crime he did not commit. However, the father of the main character, who works as a lawyer, still decides to stand up for the young man and fights with all his might to achieve justice. Although for many this only causes ridicule.

This is exactly the kind of annotation for “To Kill a Mockingbird” that can roughly describe the main messages of this work.

Plot

The book begins with a story about an ancestor of the Finch family, whose name was Simon. He was a Methodist, and at the same time tried in every possible way to avoid religious intolerance in England, which ultimately led him to Alabama. Here he acquired his fortune and, despite the fact that he had certain religious beliefs, he decided to acquire several slaves for himself. Actually, this is just the beginning, which is told so that the reader can understand the origin of the main characters’ family. This is how Harper Lee begins To Kill a Mockingbird. What the beginning does not give a complete picture of.

The main story begins approximately three years after the worst period of the Great Depression and takes place in the city of Maycomb, which is fictional and is positioned by the author as "tired of life." According to the narrator, this city is located in Alabama.

The main character in the novel is Jean Louise Finch, who is eight years old and lives in the same house with her father Atticus and older brother Jim. Her father works as a lawyer, and according to the book, as mentioned above, he is positioned as an invariably fair, wise and kind person with stable moral principles.

Jim and Jean suddenly meet a boy named Dill, who visits Maycomb every summer to visit his aunt. It turns out that all the children are extremely frightened of their neighbor named Radley, and even gave him the nickname Scarecrow. Radley himself is a recluse and rarely appears in public.

The adults of Maycomb, in principle, try in every possible way to avoid discussing the Scarecrow, and for many years only a few have seen him, but the children actively excite each other's imagination with various rumors about his appearance, as well as the possible reasons for his strong reclusiveness. In particular, they fantasize about how they can try to lure him out of the house. After two summer holidays with Dill, Jim and Jean saw that someone regularly left them small gifts in a tree located near the Radley house. Thus, several times the mysterious man shows them obvious signs of attention, but the children are disappointed that he never dares to appear in front of them in person.

At this time, Atticus decides to take on a obviously losing case, trying in every possible way to defend the rights of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young white woman, despite the fact that most citizens do not adhere to the position of a lawyer and even categorically oppose it. Other children constantly tease their brother and sister about their father's actions, and Jean tries to defend her dad's dignity, even though he told her that this should not be done. Atticus himself encounters a group of people who are going to lynch Tom himself, but this danger has passed after three children shame the crowd, forcing them to look at the current situation from the point of view of Tom and Atticus.

Due to the fact that Dad did not want to bring his children to Tom Robinson's trial, Dill, Jim and Jean decided to hide on the balcony. Atticus noticed that the accusers, who are Mayella, as well as her father named Bob Ewell (who also turned out to be a local drunk) are trying to slander his client, and it turns out that the lonely Mayella tried to harass Tom, but after her father caught her In this case, he beat her severely. Despite the presence of very significant evidence of his client’s innocence, Atticus fails to convince the jury, as a result of which Jim and Atticus are very disappointed in US justice, because Tom is soon shot while trying to escape.

However, the story of “To Kill a Mockingbird” does not end there - the author (Harper Lee) tries to restore justice. Despite the fact that this case was won, Bob Ewell's reputation was completely destroyed, and therefore he decided to take revenge. On the street, when they meet, he publicly spits in Atticus's face, and after that he tries to break into the house of the presiding judge, also threatening Tom Robinson's wife, who remains a widow. After this, he decides to attack the completely defenseless Jean and Jim as they go to their home after the end of the school Halloween party. Suddenly, someone comes to the children's aid, and a mysterious man carries Jim with a broken arm into the house, where the boy realizes that in fact it was the Scarecrow Radley who helped him.

After this, the climax of To Kill a Mockingbird begins. The author (Harper Lee) tells how the Maycomb sheriff sees Bob Ewell killed in the fight, and then argues with Atticus about Jim's prudence or Radley's responsibility. The lawyer ultimately decided to accept the sheriff's theory that Ewell simply accidentally fell on his knife, and the Scarecrow asks Jean to accompany him to her house, and after she says goodbye to him at the front door, he is completely unnoticed disappears. Jean remains on the Radley porch by herself and tries to understand what life looks like from the point of view of the owner of this house, regretting that they never had the opportunity to thank him for the gifts he gave.

Screen adaptation

Quotes from the work “To Kill a Mockingbird” are so embedded in the mind and carry such a deep meaning that already in 1962, director Robert Mulligan decided to film the novel in his new film. She was given the main role in the movie and the film ultimately turned out to be incredibly successful, as a result of which she was nominated for an Oscar in eight different categories at once. The film won in three categories:

Best Actor;
the best scenery;
Best Adapted Screenplay.

Thanks to this, quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird began to spread throughout the world, and the film to this day regularly tops various ratings of the best films released in the history of American cinema. Often, even in other countries, this picture is recognized as one of the greatest works in the history of cinema around the world.

It is for this reason that the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is recommended for viewing, as is reading the novel.

What will you see here?

The book leaves a lasting impression on almost every reader.

It is quite natural that the description of To Kill a Mockingbird cannot convey the whole essence of this work, so perhaps the reason for someone to read it will be reviews from people who were greatly impressed by this novel. As mentioned above, reviews, with rare exceptions, are left only positive.

At the same time, some users point out that in To Kill a Mockingbird the translation of the main character’s nickname is not entirely correct, but at the same time they themselves most often say that this in no way affects the overall impression and in no way spoils the opinion of the book in Russian translation.

Key points

If we talk about the main features of this book noted by readers, it is worth noting several:

Versatility. The novel can be read by children, adults, and teenagers, and adults will not even make any allowances for the fact that the work was originally intended only as children's literature.
Versatility. A huge number of problems are discussed here, which are described in detail in an extremely simple and clear way, and even if you look at their listing, you can already get a good essay.
Autobiography. As you read, it becomes clear that the thoughts expressed by the author are taken from personal experience. At the time of creating To Kill a Mockingbird, the author did not think about what to write about - she knew.
Scary moments. Despite the fact that initially the book is for children, even adults sometimes notice some frightening moments that actually reflect our reality. Moreover, this does not apply to horrors about the oppression of blacks, but, for example, to the atmosphere created by the Scarecrow - a strange man living in a gloomy house and leading a hermit's lifestyle.
Upbringing. Since this is an educational novel, this topic is given special attention, and even the problem of the oppression of blacks ultimately fades into the background. Atticus appears before us in the role of an ideal father, and it turns out that you don’t even need to read any books on teenage psychology in order to somehow find a common language with your child, and it’s enough to read this book, because not a single phrase that Atticus dropped about raising your children cannot be called incorrect, stupid or unnecessary. In this case, in the end, it is the child himself who feels comfortable, not the parents.
Racism. The author also touches on this sensitive topic, which was especially relevant for the southern states of America in those years.
Herd feeling. The child calms a huge crowd with simple words, dividing them into small components and forcing everyone to think about what is happening.

Short description

This is a fair and kind book, which is often looked at, but not always decided to purchase and read. It takes the reader back to childhood and shows exactly how the foundation of each person’s life is laid, because children look at the world around them through the eyes of adults and draw their own conclusions, identifying the slightest lie and instantly noticing the discrepancy between actions and words. That is why it is impossible to deceive a child, and it is very important to remain yourself in front of him.

Many people may be put off by the title of this book, because with such a title and the children drawn on the cover, many people have not the most pleasant associations, although for some such a twist is even a little intriguing. Fortunately, the work is often included in various collections, so many more and more often come across it and try to read it.

It is worth noting that some people who have studied the contents of the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” are even a little jealous of those who have not read it yet, but after studying the entire plot they still re-read the book several times, trying to focus their attention on some subtleties, moments, which you have to look for between the lines.

What can you learn?

In fact, from this work you can glean a lot of useful ideas about teaching, about raising your own children, as well as about views on the world around you and the contradictions to these views. In addition, here you can see ideal intra-family relationships, which include not only the interaction between children and parents, but also the excellent friendship of brother and sister, when they are ready to stand up for each other in any conditions, but do not give in one by one offended.

This is exactly what a review from an ordinary reader might look like for the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” This is a book with incredible meaning, which was added to the official US school curriculum for a reason, and perhaps should have been added to the programs of other countries, despite the fact that not all the problems that it discusses are relevant in today's world . The essence of the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” should be conveyed to every child and adult, and that is why it is recommended for reading not only for children, but for every person.

This book is included in that list of literature, without reading which you really lose a lot, regardless of what opinion you ultimately form about this book. A huge number of awards and mostly positive reviews are only an additional incentive for those who still doubt whether to read Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" to read it. It’s quite difficult to put into words what the book is about; it’s better to read it yourself.

The story is told from the perspective of an eight-year-old girl named Little Eye. Together with his older brother and father Atticus, they live in a small town in the southern United States. In their neighbors' house there is a man whom no one has seen, everyone calls him "The Scarecrow". The children begin to become interested in him, and together with their new friend they try to get into the mysterious house, but they are driven away.

After this incident, someone begins to leave them gifts in the hollow of the tree. Soon the children's attention turns to the case that their father, a lawyer, has taken on. He, a white man, defends a black man who is accused of raping a white girl. In the end, he manages to prove his client's innocence, but the jury still sentences him to death. The real criminal, whom Atticus named at the trial, attacks the children in the fall when they return from a school party. They are saved by the "Scarecrow", who accidentally kills the criminal.

The novel raises complex themes of racism and intolerance of society. People's unwillingness to accept those who are different in some way. Hypocrisy when obvious facts are rejected out of a desire to keep the world familiar and understandable.

Read summary of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

The girl, whom everyone calls “Eye,” lives in Maycomb, Alabama, with her middle-aged father Atticus Finch, a lawyer, and her brother Jim, who is four years older than her and sometimes bullies her sister. The children are raised by Calpurnia, a good-natured black cook.

One summer, Little Eye and Jim meet a visiting boy, Dill. They tell their new friend that next door to them lives the Redley family, which prefers to remain reclusive. There are rumors that their son, who had a bad reputation in the town in his youth, has committed some crime, and his father has him locked up. The children call this unprecedented man Scarecrow; they really want to look at him and begin to hang around near Redley’s house.

Having gone to school in the fall, Little Eye somehow discovers in the hollow of an oak tree, past which the path passes, a bag of chewing gum, and then other gifts. Who leaves them and why, the children have no idea.

With the onset of summer, Dill returns to Maycomb, and the guys take up their task again. One day, shortly before the first of September, they manage to look through the window of one of the rooms of the Redley house. Before they have time to notice anything, the owner comes out at them with a gun, mistaking the children for thieves. During his escape, Jim loses his pants, which get caught on the edge of a thorny fence. Some time later, he finds them in the same place, but folded and repaired.

With the onset of the school year, gifts again appear in the same hollow. Someone is covering the chilled Little Eye while she and her family watch the fire in the neighbors’ house.

A few days after the incident, Atticus takes over the defense of a black guy accused of raping a white girl. He sincerely believes that Tom Robinson is innocent of anything. Children are of the same opinion that their father defend him when others accuse Atticus of "love for the black man."

In the spring, Atticus's sister Alexandra comes to the Finches. She is going to support her brother and take on the education of Little Eye, who behaves like a tomboy. Dill runs away from his mother and stepfather and also appears on the threshold of the Finch house.

Tom Robinson is transferred to the city prison, people want to commit lynching on the unfortunate man, so Atticus personally guards the cell doors for several nights in a row. During the trial, he provides evidence of his client's innocence and points to another man, Bob Ewell, who actually committed the violence against the girl. She also sought Tom’s sympathy, but is afraid to admit it out of shame.

After lengthy deliberations, the jury reaches a death sentence. Their uncertainty gives Atticus hope - until now, people have always judged black people without the slightest hesitation. He plans to appeal, but Tom is killed while trying to escape.

Bob Ewell, who holds a grudge against Atticus, threatens the lawyer. He does not take this seriously until one day Bob attacks the Finch children in the evening after a performance at school. Little Eye was wearing a fancy dress costume of a ham, the frame of which saves the girl from being stabbed. At this moment the Scarecrow appears. While protecting the children, he kills Bob. He carries Jim, who has broken his arm, into the house. Children see that the Scarecrow is mentally ill, but completely harmless if no harm is done to him. He had been watching them for a long time and tried to become their friend.

The Maycomb sheriff rules the murder of Bob Ewell a suicide so that the unfortunate young man will be left alone.