Review from Noah, Britton, Blake, Willa, and Michel from green Group

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	• To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee Grand Central Publishing, 1988 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 1741 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

To Kill A Mockingbird Review: Poverty

Harper Lee's literary masterpiece To Kill A Mockingbird portrays poverty during the Depression in an accurate yet somewhat negative light. The novel chronicles the childhood of Jem and Scout Finch, with their father Atticus, in the economically disadvantaged town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s. The decade brought increased financial hardships to much of America's muddle-class as racial tensions escalated in a nation struggling to achieve equality.
Although the majorirty of Maycomb residents faced a certain degree of poverty, Lee highlights extremely impoverished families such as the Ewells and Cunninghams. In a truthful rendition of the sacrifices many had to endure, Lee describes Walter Cunningham's lack of food. "He had no [lunch] today no would he have any tomorrow oe rhe next day," Lee writes and, "He had probably never seen the quarters together..."
Mockingbird also displays the respect and generosity with which most tried to lead their lives, despire the poverty all around the,. When Scout invites young Walter over for lunch, Calpurnia, the Finches' housekeeper, reprimands Scout, admonishing, "Yo' folks might be better than the Cunninghams, but it don't count for mothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em..."
Lee's depiction of the dirt-poor Ewells, whose alcoholic father uses his meager income to fuel his addiction , allows the audience to glimpse the bottom crust of Southern society. Of Burris Ewell, a permanent first-grader, Lee writes, "His neck was dark gray, the back of his hands were rusty, and his fingernails were balck deep into the quick." The poverty-stricken South is accurately exemplified in Harper Lee's classic tale To Kill A Mockingibrd.

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Review from Noah, Britton, Blake, Willa, and Michel from green Group

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, details the story of a young girl living in Maycomb, Alabama. this girl must learn to cope with the issues of racism and classism within her community. The novel accurately depicts the strong overtone of racism in the south. Little Scout, brimming with maturity beyond her young years, is faced with racial adversity when her father takes a case defending an African American.
Wee Scout is harassed by peers who call her strong, caring father a "nigger lover". Scout, being a rambunctious and feisty youngster, is forced to change her aggressive lifestyle due to constant teasing from her fellow classmates. She courageously perservered and sticks by her father's side throughout the trial.
This book, one of the first of its kind, shows the readers the true corruption of the time. Scout must come to terms with the fact that the society surrounding her is blinded by prejudice and stereotypes. Although her and her family know the innocence of Tom Robinson, Jem must face Scout with the unfortunate reality that "here are things [she] doesn't understand" about southern society.
the detailed accuracy of the racism and injustice within the court system at that time is astounding.

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Feminism in To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird is set in a rural Southern town during the Dpression of the 1930s. The story is told from the perspective pf Scout Finch, a school-age Caucasian girl from a struggling middle class family. She has many encounters with conflicting social pressures. Many are quick to point out the civil rights aspect of the novel; however, even deeper into is, the subject of feminism is also addressed. From a feminist view, this novel excellently portrays social struggles of women during the era of the Depression.

Throughout the novel Scout is faced with an interesting dilemma concerning her gender and feminism. She is continuously faced with conflicting messages coming from Jem and Dill and from the likes of Aunt Alexandra or Mrs. Dubose. Jem and Dill are constantly encouraging Scout to act less like a traditional girl, and to spend more time in overalls than in dresses; for example, Jem tells Scout, "I declare to the Lord you're getting' more like a girl every day" after Scout declines to accompany Jem and Dill to the Radley House.

On the other hand Scout faces intense pressure to act like a convention girly-girl from the likes of her Aunt Alexandra and Mrs. Dubose; for example, Scout says, "Aunt Alexandra was fanatical on the subject of my attire. I could not possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could do nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants. Aunt Alexandra's vision of my deportment involved playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave me when I was born."

In addition, Scout feels that she is isolated from other children by Aunt Alexandra as a result of her gender. She desires to "graduate to the big table" with the others, but she is not allowed to. Scout expresses that Aunt Alexandra "didn't understand girls much."

Overall, the book fully addresses the expectations felt by both children and women and offers a powerful commentary on feminism in the depression era of the South. It explains how the feminist influences affected growing up during this time period. This formula makes for a classic novel.
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Civil Rights View

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is an accurate representation of the struggle for civil rights. One character, Calpurnia, particularly caught our eye as she was a respected figure in the Finch household even though she is an African American working for the family. Despite being a valued member of the family, and a mother figure to Scout and Jem, Calpurnia is looked down on by outsiders, the reserved citizens of Maycomb; for example, even Aunt Alexandra, sister to Atticus, is concerned about Calpurnia's place in the family, convinced that the household "[doesn't] need her now." It is evident that Calpurnia's right to be respected is disregarded by others.
While most Southern whites of the 1960s were racist, Atticus Finch, a white man, agreed to legally defend an African American, Tom Robinson. By doing so, Atticus becomes an object of ridicule and prejudice. Being called derogatory names such as "nigger-lover" and "negro trash," Atticus is threatened both verbally and physically. At one point in the novel, a mob arrives at the jail to attack him. He is saved only by his daughter, Scout, as she humanizes him. Atticus' loyalty and devotion to the civil rights cause is inspirational.
The average southern white is greatly contrasted by Lee's portrayal of Mr. Dolphs Raymond. He is a white man who feels more comfortable with blacks than with whites. This is a welcome juxtaposition as it creates a contrast between the average southern citizens and himself. Dolphus' character not only supports civil rights but opens readers to the possibility of peaceful integration. This book is recommended to readers interested in the 1960s civil rights movement.

Written By Nadia Kadry, Madeleine Varmer, Anna Rittman-Tune, and Caroline Kemper

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Harper Lee's Use of Feminism

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird exemplifies the feminist views of its time. The book tells the story of Scout, a young girl living in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, and her adventures with her older brother Jem and their summertime friend Dill. The trio's escapades are set against the background of a black man in their community, Tom Robinson, being tried for raping a white woman. Scout's father Atticus acts as a lawyer for the trial, bringing Scout and Jem ridicule from their peers. Throughout the novel, Lee conveys a feminist message.

Scout, the protagonist, is a rambunctious, tomboy who defies the expectations of women in the 1930s Southern Alabama society; for example, on page 22, Scout beats up Walter Cunningham, which is uncharacteristic of a "proper" lady. Scout spends her days "usually mud-splashed or covered with sand" instead of drinking tea with the ladies (Lee 131). Furthermore, Scout gets a gun for Christmas, thus engaging in a normally male-dominated activity. Scout is boyish, unruly, and adventurous; yet, she is perceived positively, as a protagonist of the novel. Lee shows that women can be self-sufficient and intelligent without being "girly."

On the other hand, the characters that conform to society by adhering to standards for women are often perceived as mean or shallow; for example, Mrs. Dubose is Scout's "gender appropriate" neighbor. Mrs. Dubose criticizes Scout for wearing overalls. "'You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady!'" Mrs. Dubose yells from her porch (Lee 101). Despite being feminine, a trait favored by society, Mrs. Dubose is also mean, sharp-tongued, and selfish. Scout's Aunt Alexandra is also a feminine character who is overly critical of Scout's wanton ways. According to Aunt Alexandra, Scout should fill her time "playing with small stoves, tea sets, and wearing the Add-A-Pearl necklace she gave [Scout] when [she] was born" (Lee 81). Aunt Alexandra further tells Scout that she shouldn't "be doing things that require pants," meaning Scout should act like a young lady, not a man (Lee 81). Aunt Alexandra's antagonistic nature shows that feminine qualities are not necessary to be moral.

Lee has written a spellbinding story that tackles the feminine stereotypes of the time. It parallels the heavy issues of women's rights with the tale of a young girl coming of age.

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