The Trial of Tom Robinson
A review of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
By Julia A. Keirns
To Kill A Mockingbird is a masterpiece about the American south, a little girl named Scout and her brother Jem growing up, and prejudice injustice against an innocent black man by the name of Tom Robinson. Who knows why, but as soon as I begin reading this book, I automatically take on a southern accent as I read aloud, making the story actually come to life. The author has done a wonderful job with all of the dialogue. Harper Lee had a tremendous ability to write in a way that takes you deep into the story. It is gripping and compelling. I absolutely loved reading this book.
The best writers write about what they know best – themselves, their own childhoods, events in their lives. Harper Lee pulled memories out of her past and brought 1930’s Alabama to life for us in the story of this book.
The book is easy to read, flows well, and the details are sharp. Each chapter makes you want to turn the page and read on. I always wondered why it was called, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Chapter 10 explains that mockingbirds do absolutely no harm, (kind of like Tom Robinson). They are songbirds and are here only for our enjoyment and to kill one of them would be sinful.
“Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus Finch, tries to teach them to be gentle and loving and kind in life, but when it comes to protecting your own family or community, you do what you have to do. They took his quiet kindness as a weakness, but when he kills a rabid dog, (and defends Tom Robinson to the end) they gain a new respect for their father. Scout and Jem did not think he had it in him to ever kill anything.
Atticus Finch was a man of composure who never showed emotion, but in the trial of Tom Robinson he let his guard down and cared enough to show it this time. Atticus was not the only one who knew that Tom Robinson was innocent of the crimes against Mayella Ewell, but back then, it was a white man’s world and Tom had absolutely no chance of redemption. Even if Mayella had originally been attracted to Tom, there was no way she could admit it to her family or the community. Atticus Finch has been praised as a hero for speaking out against racial injustice over the years and that is why this book is so widely read and studied in schools today.
I guess not all books can have a happy ending. It was truly sinful the way the town treated Tom Robinson. This is an excellent classic book that needs to be read by every generation, and I am sure will be read for many years to come. Make sure you read “Go Set A Watchman” as well.