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Petra is wondering when this dawn will beome day's Reviews > To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Petra is wondering when this dawn will beome day's review
bookshelves: fiction, 2015-reviews, reviewed
Jun 13, 2008
bookshelves: fiction, 2015-reviews, reviewed
Even in the evil times when John Crow ruled the South and the Blacks were scarcely more free than in times of slavery and were allowed no civic power nor respect from their erswhile masters who were White, good men did their best.
As regards this book, the last phrase is a lie.
Atticus, a lawyer and good and caring father, a moral man, represented a Black man accused of raping a White woman. He lost, but he'd done his best.
That last paragraph is a lie.
Atticus belonged to the KKK, thought that Blacks were a distinctly lower form of human life and that separate development (ie. apartheid) was the best way to go for these childlike people who didn't have the reasoning power to rule, he said in Go Set a Watchman.
That last paragraph is mostly a lie.
Atticus did belong to the KKK but he did not really think Blacks were a lower form of human life at all. That was just what he said for the benefit of others. He really thought their intellectual power and ability to organise was greatly to be feared. He was frightened that Whites would have to give up having a life of ease and wealth structured around the cheap labour Black people had no alternative but to provide. He didn't even want to have to consider them at all.
Atticus represented the accused Black rapist only because if a White lawyer didn't then he was sure the NAACP would send in a very clever Black lawyer and not only that but insist, since these times were officially 'free', that Black people sit on the jury. Then he would not be sure of a conviction. The Blacks then feeling their oats would move in to the town and start demanding rights and power much to the detriment of the extremely exploitative and racist Whites.
When Harper Lee wrote all this, in Go Set a Watchman her publishers were apparently horrified and got her to rewrite the book from the point of view of a decent man who felt racism was a great evil, we were all equal. Is this why Harper Lee never wrote another book? Did she feel that her views were unacceptable and she wasn't going to kow-tow to some liberal publishers up North who didn't understand the ways of the South? Is that why she didn't give interviews too? She'd followed the advice of her publishers, been lauded and rewarded but humiliated as an artist.
Schools still teaching this book as a moral lesson should incorporate their understanding of the first draft, Go Set a Watchman. Otherwise they are doing the children a disservice in their moral education and furthering the ideas of paternalism is better than self-determination, racism had its softer side and that ignoring the truth (Watchman) to tell a good story is a perfectly fine concept for educationalists to embrace. It's not.
Five stars because it is a very well-written and enjoyable book and hangs together with Go Set a Watchman perfectly.
Read years ago, probably about 1 Jan 2000
As regards this book, the last phrase is a lie.
Atticus, a lawyer and good and caring father, a moral man, represented a Black man accused of raping a White woman. He lost, but he'd done his best.
That last paragraph is a lie.
Atticus belonged to the KKK, thought that Blacks were a distinctly lower form of human life and that separate development (ie. apartheid) was the best way to go for these childlike people who didn't have the reasoning power to rule, he said in Go Set a Watchman.
That last paragraph is mostly a lie.
Atticus did belong to the KKK but he did not really think Blacks were a lower form of human life at all. That was just what he said for the benefit of others. He really thought their intellectual power and ability to organise was greatly to be feared. He was frightened that Whites would have to give up having a life of ease and wealth structured around the cheap labour Black people had no alternative but to provide. He didn't even want to have to consider them at all.
Atticus represented the accused Black rapist only because if a White lawyer didn't then he was sure the NAACP would send in a very clever Black lawyer and not only that but insist, since these times were officially 'free', that Black people sit on the jury. Then he would not be sure of a conviction. The Blacks then feeling their oats would move in to the town and start demanding rights and power much to the detriment of the extremely exploitative and racist Whites.
When Harper Lee wrote all this, in Go Set a Watchman her publishers were apparently horrified and got her to rewrite the book from the point of view of a decent man who felt racism was a great evil, we were all equal. Is this why Harper Lee never wrote another book? Did she feel that her views were unacceptable and she wasn't going to kow-tow to some liberal publishers up North who didn't understand the ways of the South? Is that why she didn't give interviews too? She'd followed the advice of her publishers, been lauded and rewarded but humiliated as an artist.
Schools still teaching this book as a moral lesson should incorporate their understanding of the first draft, Go Set a Watchman. Otherwise they are doing the children a disservice in their moral education and furthering the ideas of paternalism is better than self-determination, racism had its softer side and that ignoring the truth (Watchman) to tell a good story is a perfectly fine concept for educationalists to embrace. It's not.
Five stars because it is a very well-written and enjoyable book and hangs together with Go Set a Watchman perfectly.
Read years ago, probably about 1 Jan 2000
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To Kill a Mockingbird.
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Reading Progress
June 13, 2008
– Shelved
June 19, 2008
– Shelved as:
fiction
Started Reading
December 9, 2015
– Shelved as:
2015-reviews
December 9, 2015
–
Finished Reading
December 13, 2015
– Shelved as:
reviewed
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message 4:
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Petra is wondering when this dawn will beome day
(last edited Dec 09, 2015 09:28AM)
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rated it 5 stars
Thanks Choko and Carmen. I was getting fed up of seeing all the praise for TKAM by people who didn't want to read/take on board Go Set a Watchman. They are still teaching TKAM in schools here in the Caribbean and elsewhere as a wonderful moral story.
An excellent review Petra.I've had this book for years and never read it so perhaps one of these days...
Thank you Lynne and Deanna.
I agree with you that we can't continue to look at Atticus Finch solely as he is presented in TKAM. Putting the two stories together presents a more complex (and far less comfortable) picture that should drive deeper discussions.
Discomfort calls forth questioning and perhaps change. Comfort means the status quo is quite all right as it is.
Very thoughtful review, Petra. Well done!
Petra X wrote: "Thanks Choko and Carmen. I was getting fed up of seeing all the praise for TKAM by people who didn't want to read/take on board Go Set a Watchman."
I guess i was one of these people who didn;t want to read GSAT, but you are right i was probably being cowardly. I stand corrected
I guess i was one of these people who didn;t want to read GSAT, but you are right i was probably being cowardly. I stand corrected
Sidharth wrote: "I guess i was one of these people who didn;t want to read GSAT, but you are right i was probably being cowardly. I stand corrected"It depends on the book is viewed. If it is just as a good novel then it really doesn't matter if GSaW is read or not. However if TKaM is reviewed as fictionalised social history, then really the reviewer owes it to themself to read the first version of the book, Watchman.
Comment deleted. Friend deleted. I am not slagging off the recently died by suggesting that this book in the light of Watchman was really deeply racist. And it is certainly not because I am a paranoid Jew.
I had the same reaction to this book. Though I didn't think it was all that well written either. :) So, now you can't have a different opinion?
Petra, this is the most comprehensive review I've read on this book with the hindsight and context that Go Set a Watchman provides. I loved reading To Kill a Mockingbird in my youth but living in a very different culture, I lacked the connection to really understand it.
This makes perfect sense:
Schools still teaching this book as a moral lesson should incorporate their understanding of the first draft, Go Set a Watchman. Otherwise they are doing the children a disservice...
Unfortunately I don't think the political atmosphere would allowed for schools to take such a nuanced take on this issue, at least not in the United States.
I have resisted reading Go Set a Watchman and I have to admit, my biggest fear has been to lose the picture-perfect image of Atticus Finch but I guess the cat is out of the bag anyway.
Your review really inspires me to read Go Set a Watchman soon, thank you this was very enlightening.
Iris wrote: "this is the most comprehensive review I've read on this book with the hindsight and context that Go Set a Watchman provides...."Thank you. Watchman is, as a novel, not of the calibre of Mockingbird. The first 2/3rds aren't exactly scintillating either. But it's one of those books which is greater than the sum of it's parts.
I also was unsure about reading GSAW, but I may just do so now, just to have a better understanding of a story that I enjoyed so much (I read Mockingbird around 7 years ago.)
Ellen wrote: "I also was unsure about reading GSAW, but I may just do so now, just to have a better understanding of a story that I enjoyed so much (I read Mockingbird around 7 years ago.)"If you read Go Set a Watchman and it is worth it, just keep in mind that this was the first draft, the story that Harper Lee intended, and was rejected by the publishers, who got her to write Mockingbird. Probably the editorial process encouraged the young writer at every turn and the result is 100% turnaround politically.
Like Iris, I have resisted reading Watchman because I love Mockingbird and didn't want to spoil my image of it. That said, I am a grown up and must learn to embrace the truth, no matter how unpalatable, because those that have to endure embedded racism know all about it and have no choice. For me to ignore it would be a disservice to my fellow man (and woman!)
Gary wrote: "Like Iris, I have resisted reading Watchman because I love Mockingbird and didn't want to spoil my image of it. That said, I am a grown up and must learn to embrace the truth, no matter how unpalat..."Just say to yourself then, if you read it, that they were two totally different books from different points of view. The publishers might have rejected the first draft (Watchman) out of hand and Lee written Mockingbird without reference to her original draft.
Interesting review of a popular work. I don't know if my wife would consider it one of her favorite if it was different as you said. This isn't because she is a racists, just personal preference, just like I quit watching "Walking Dead" when they killed off Glen. By the way, Lincoln freed the slaves but it was a political move during war. He didn't think whites and blacks should intermarry, serve on juries, and a host of other beliefs.
Joe wrote: "I don't know if my wife would consider it one of her favorite if it was different as you said...."Until you read Go Set a Watchman, the book is a paean to the Good Man in racist times and a very good read, I think most people enjoy it. But in light of what was the first draft, and therefore what the author originally intended, it's the very opposite! But views differ, no problem.
Go Set A Watchman cannot be regarded as a real sequel to TKAM if TKAM had really happened as written, as Atticus is not he same man, even the way he talks is less articulate than that of Atticus in TKAM. It is a rewrite, nota sequel Go Set A Watchman should not have been written
Gary wrote: "Go Set A Watchman cannot be regarded as a real sequel to TKAM..."Well no, it was written years before.
Atticus in TKAM clearly despises the KKK and is even targeted by them So how can hoe be turned into a KKK member in ''Go Set a Watchman''?
My all time favorite book. So many great characters that are as relevant today as it was when it was written
Gary wrote: "Atticus in TKAM clearly despises the KKK and is even targeted by them So how can hoe be turned into a KKK member in ''Go Set a Watchman''?"I explain that in my review.
Marcia wrote: "My all time favorite book. So many great characters that are as relevant today as it was when it was written"Given my review, I obviously don't agree - the characters weren't relevant then or now, but it's only a book, so no problem! Also it was an enjoyable book to read so I can see why it is a favourite.
In my view you are correct in your assessment, Petra. I will say no more.
Daniel wrote: "In my view you are correct in your assessment, Petra. I will say no more."Thank you. But I do like discussion, so never hold back :-)
One quick observation: TKAM is a feel good story that does not address the foundational political rifts that have never been openly acknowledged and addressed in America. Having said that, TKAM was a daring and impactful book at the time.
Daniel wrote: "One quick observation: TKAM is a feel good story that does not address the foundational political rifts that have never been openly acknowledged and addressed in America. Having said that, TKAM was..."But that's only because the first draft, Go Set a Watchman was unknown. Now that is in the public domain I don't see that Mockingbird can be judged politically alone.
Excellent point. GSAW definitely adds depth and nuance to Mockingbird. I expect over time that they will be read together to form a more complete picture.
"Atticus did belong to the KKK but he did not really think Blacks were a lower form of human life at all. That was just what he said for the benefit of others. He really thought their intellectual power and ability to organise was greatly to be feared. He was frightened that Whites would have to give up having a life of ease and wealth structured around the cheap labour Black people had no alternative but to provide. He didn't even want to have to consider them at all."This is so realistic, even today. A couple years ago, I came across some comments online that were expressing a similar fear. It's awful how those people can only conceive equality as a constant threat to their privileged lives and they'd rather keep oppressing minorities than acknowledge there's something fundamentally wrong with their views. They can't even imagine a world where such an extreme abuse of power isn't necessary.
Thanks for another excellent review. You inspired me to reread this one.
message 35:
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Petra is wondering when this dawn will beome day
(last edited Oct 31, 2021 12:12PM)
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rated it 5 stars
Deviant Sam wrote: " It's awful how those people can only conceive equality as a constant threat to their privileged lives and they'd rather keep oppressing minorities than acknowledge there's something fundamentally wrong with their views ..."There is an American school here that didn't want to take blacks until another similar school opened and they had to, or at least wealthy ones. The kids were always all right together, black white and mixed. Both of the schools required parents to give one hour of service per week, they all did projects, gardening, painting, plays, singing etc in small groups, refreshments half way with time to chat.
They became friends over the term and didn't have to make the excuses of 'their culture is so different' and crap like that, they knew each other. btw my family is mixed.
"Thanks for another excellent review. You inspired me to reread this one"
Thank you. I hope you read it together with Go Set a Watchman. Especially Watchman first.
"But having classes making white kids guilty for what they have and segregating black kids into 'safe spaces' isn't going to work at all. What works is people getting to know each other, the more we are together..."Yes, I agree with that. Sorry if my comment left room for a different interpretation, sometimes it's difficult to find the right words and express my thoughts coherently.
Deviant Sam wrote: "Yes, I agree with that. Sorry if my comment left room for a different interpretation, sometimes it's difficult to find the right words and express my thoughts coherently...."I was thinking of the sentence you quoted. That the new thing in the US is this critical race theory, which isn't going to get most whites to do anything positive at all. After all, it's really schooling kiddies into seeing themselves either as born bullies who need to have their inborn power 'educated' out of them or born victims who have no power and need to have safe spaces from their victimisers.
Who wants their kids educated like that?I'm reading Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America and seeing Black America in 2021 in another way.
Wow, I'm currently reading this for the first time, since it was never required reading in my country. I am enjoying it very much, as I believe it is very well written, but I had no idea about this other book, thank you for bringing it to my attention, I've been feeling a little conflicted about the 'morality' of the whole thing.
jess wrote: "I had no idea about this other book, thank you for bringing it to my attention, I've been feeling a little conflicted about the 'morality' of the whole thing..."I was quite shocked by Go Set a Watchman when I discovered it was the first draft of Mockingbird, and that the author had forever forbidden its publication. If you get round to reading it, it becomes reallly obvious why.
Excellent review and great background information, Petra. Thank you. 鈽猴笍
Thanks. Half my family are Black. Politicans, business owners that sort of thing. I don't suppose they would have been in the South.