dessert rose | Books | 01 July 2004, 7:32pm
This one ranks right up there in my faves.
Jean Louise 'Scout' is the main protagonist, and the whole story revolves around her. It is said the character Scout is somewhat autobigraphical. There are many things that arouse her curiousity- school, her neighbours, 'Boo Radley' [who keeps to himself and never steps out]. She has an aunt who is bent upon making her more lady-like, where as she loves to run play around with her brother and his friends. She loves to have her father read out stories to her and gets upset when her teacher asks her to stop reading as she is way ahead of her classmates. [Surely she would have grown up to be a voracious reader]
Atticus Finch, a defence lawyer living in the small southern town called Maycomb, is Scout's father. He brings his children up with unbiased and unprejudiced views. He is not afraid to tell the truth to his two young children. He brings them up to have their own opinions and to see people equally. Atticus tells them not to judge people until they "climb into their skin and walk around in it".
He is assigned the case of defending a black who is wrongly accused of rape of a white lady. The town expects only a token defence and residents of the town do not look on him kindly when he tries his best to see that justice is meted out. He guides his children to stand up for what they believe in by setting an example himself.
Apart from the central theme, the narrative is very lively, something all of us can definitely relate to. There are few more interesting characters but if I told you everythin, you prolly wouldnt read the book.
This one could do without my rating.
On a parting note, my fav quote from the book, Atticus's words to Scout
I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. Its when you know you
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Read that book one time too many, and loved it everytime.
I guess, it's beauty lies in the simplicity of the story and characterisation. Normal people under trying circumstances & the strength of the spirit shining through. Beautiful.
i hv jus started readin after my "BOSS" asked me to.i read 'The Dancing DODO' didnt understand even a single para.i wonder how ppl r able to complete a whole book.everybody in my family does it except me.
i've recently started re-reading old classics too. try Somerset Maugham's plays, hilarious reading