Back Cover:
In a small town in Alabama during the Great Depression, Atticus Finch raises her two children, Jem and Scout. Man of integrity and rigorous, this lawyer is appointed by the court to defend a Black man accused of raping a white woman.
This brief summary can explain why this book, published in 1960 - at the heart of the struggle for civil rights - was so successful. It is not enough however to understand how this novel became a cult book in the United States and many other countries.
is that, while lying about it in Alabama at a precise time - 1930 - Harper Lee wrote a novel universal child confronted with prejudice, lying, bigotry and evil. Narrated by Scout with great humor, this story is the tale of the American short story and the novel of initiation.
Notice JB:
Is it still necessary to present this book? Only the significance of the title you may still seem mysterious why one solution: to read at least half of the book.
30 million copies sold, the Pulitzer in 1961, no interviews, no second novel, what could explain the success of a seemingly mundane book? So in all dives myth ...
The action takes place in a small American town in Alabama, Maycomb, during the years 1930. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and he raises only his two children, Jem and Scout girl rather "tomboy" who will be our narrator. An event will disrupt the daily rather quiet Maycomb: black, Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a white woman and Atticus is who will handle his defense.
Rumours rife on the autobiographical novel, half assertion validated by the author (Atticus was partly inspired by his father, the town of Maycomb which unfolds the story would be very similar to that of Harper Lee's childhood).
Alabama 30 years suffered the brunt of the Great Depression. The population, mostly rural, is poor, well attached to the hatred of the "Yankee" and mocks the abolition of slavery. It is full segregation, and although the KKK has lost its superb (after numerous convictions for bribery and tax debts exponential), blacks still live in the margins, living in imitation slavery.
At the book's release in the early 1960s, much has changed. It is in full civil rights movement ("African Americans' struggle for obtaining and enjoyment of their civil rights "), Martin Luther King delivered his famous speech in Washington and white youth in his manner conveys the momentum of freedom through the emergence of culture-cons. That may be where there is a part of the book's success. Part of the American population 30/40 years will return to childhood through the story of Scout, and the side "small town south of the U.S." They will find themselves in may be the little girl who discovers the world of adults.
is then discussed issues and commitment by Harper Lee is the second key to success. Atticus is a good father, right, and particularly modern for its time, as opposed to traditionalism and ambient sexism. Through his work as a lawyer, he managed to cast doubt on a meeting of jurors to convict a black man accused of raping a white woman. J. Taylor and Hate the sheriff, state figures, know how to be fair and honest. Many avant-garde themes (instead of black, instead of women, role of the state) that will echo the claims of the American youth of the 60s.
Finally, the book is focused by writing simple, personal and just serves the story perfectly. Harper Lee wrote several versions of the work, and this, over several years. Wise decision: it is a success! No story filled with commonplaces or torrents of good feelings, the author has found an alchemy themes / interest in the story / tone that works. Tested recipe, the book is full of very good parts (which Atticus shoots, gifts Bo Bradley, etc..), And mood-years Southern 30 is a success (the stereotypes of "Finch" / "Ewell" are particularly about).
To read or not?
"Do not pull on the Mockingbird" is a work full, frank, open and above. Seriousness of the topics covered and subtlety of approach, quality of writing, a reminder of childhood, you might find, like me, your book and can be your pleasure. An excellent book that I recommend without hesitation.
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