Life lessons from `To Kill a Mockingbird`

 

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee needs no introduction. For years now it has unarguably been one of the most popular, widely read and critically acclaimed modern classics. Though set in the 1930’s in a small fictitious town Maycomb in the USA, this book transcends all geographical and time related boundaries owing to its compassionate and deeply moving theme that takes readers to the roots of human behavior. Conveying an astounding number of truths, it powerfully yet subtly deals with really sensitive topics such as prejudice, racism, segregation, respect, kindness, bravery, cruelty, hatred, injustice, evil etc. - those which have and will always be a part of the human society.

Throughout the course of the book, readers are exposed to various scenarios, circumstances, conflicts and characters that the six year old protagonist Scout associates and deals with and how they help her grow into a courageous, mature and good natured person. The book has many important life lessons for its readers, but the two that moved me the most were ‘respect and bravery’, depicted beautifully through the characters of Atticus Finch and to a certain extend Calpurnia.

A single father with two children Jem and Scout, the character Atticus Finch, a lawyer by profession is an unconventional hero. A human who sees other people simply as humans, he is portrayed as a man with sound principles; the one adult character least infected by prejudice. He is neither race biased nor colour biased nor gender biased and emerges as a perfect role model, not just for his children but the whole society at large. What I feel is at the core of this character is an effortless acceptance of people for who they are – without judgments or preconceptions. And this is where the great amount of respect he shows for all beings – living or dead, stems from. A moral standpoint so essential and fundamental that all of us, irrespective of who we are or where we come from, must assimilate into our personal code of ethics.   

The degree of level headedness and empathy that Atticus Finch displays throughout the story is commendable. He manages to stay balanced and treat people with courtesy even if they disrespect him, gossip about him or threaten him. At one place, he shows immense tolerance by not retaliating when the negative character (Bob Ewell) spits in his face. Atticus simply wipes the spit and walks away, understanding that Ewell’s behavior was a result of his wounded pride after the court trial. This scene from the story reminded me of a real - life incident as experienced and narrated in an interview by film director Faraz Arif Ansari. He was   at the Delhi airport waiting to board flight, one person came close to him and threw hot coffee in Mr Ansari’s face as a reaction to his coming out of the closet (an aspect unacceptable by the self - claimed moral police even in our current day society). Furthermore, the security personnel denied Mr Ansari any help, dismissing the situation as not serious. This incident in my opinion is worrisome as it speaks volumes about how intolerant, insensitive and unaccepting we humans can be towards other people whose ideas, morals or characteristics do not match ours. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if we all understood and taught our children the beauty of mutual respect and co-existence which is so well depicted by the examples cited above?

Another attribute of Atticus Finch that I feel worth imbibing is his unique parenting style based on utmost respect for children. Atticus treats Jem and Scout as adults, honestly answering any questions they have yet balancing his mature treatment towards them with patience. For eg, when asks Scout (his daughter), who is barely 6 years old if she knew what a compromise meant and then went ahead to explain it in depth. On the other hand, he also understands that children are inquisitive and will make childish assumptions and mistakes. But that should not be a reason to disrespect or get upset with them. Eg when he catches children playing a game about enacting the Radleys( their neighbor), in a firm and assertive manner he instructs them not to make fun or insinuate humiliation towards anyone. Atticus uses all instances – big or small, as opportunities to pass on his values, not by preaching instead by gently and respectfully guiding them away from being judgmental, discriminating, prejudiced, hateful, unkind and exploitative. He seldom lectures his children and believes in leading by example rather than fear. He lives a life he wants his children to duplicate proving the statement – “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on public streets” true. And this should be a lesson for all of us – as teachers and as parents.

The book is set in a racist white community and as the story progresses Atticus is appointed by the state to defend a black man Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, facing an all - white jury. Atticus being fully aware that he will lose the case, still accepts it and gives the strongest defense possible, exhibiting courage, more so specifically, moral bravery. Moral bravery as I understand is the ability and the willingness to stand by one’s moral values and beliefs against all barriers and push back from others, and Atticus Finch did just that. He remained unperturbed by the opinions and caustic remarks of his neighbors, friends and family members and discharged his duties not just as Tom Robinson’s lawyer but as a progressive member of the society who is anti - racism, with utmost conviction and sincerity. To quote Atticus Finch when asked by Scout as to why is he defending someone who the rest of society believes he shouldn’t, he firmly answers, “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience. Before I can live with other folks I’ve to live with myself” and that I believe is the kind of strength one harbors while following the path of righteous behavior.

In the three years surrounding the trial, Jem and Scout witness unjust consequences of preconceived generalizations and hatred while at the same time witnessing courage and integrity through their father’s example. Both children are subject to verbal abuses and name calling at school and in the neighborhood. But the way their father teaches them to deal with those adversities is “just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let them get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change”.  In a scene later on, when the trial begins, Tom Robinson is placed in the local jail and an angry mob of white men try to lynch him. Atticus confronts the mob and Jem and Scout, who have sneaked out of the house, soon join him. Children seeing their father stay calm, composed and fearless, display a similar demeanour, shaming the mob to flee.

Atticus is undoubtedly a personification of moral bravery for multiple reasons. In a racially discriminating society, he lets a coloured woman, Calpurnia practically raise his children. He has no problem with her being strict or disciplinary and does not even object to them attending her church. In fact when Atticus’ sister, Aunt Alexandra suggests that they get rid of Calpurnia, he assertively refuses by calling her a part of the family. Furthermore, he decides to personally visit Helen Robinson, Tom’s widow to tell her about Tom’s death.

Another reason Atticus’ actions can be seen as morally courageous is because his decision to defend Tom put his children in danger. Although Atticus had not expected the extremities, he was well aware of the verbal harassment his family would have to face. He nonetheless decided that the life lessons of this experience far outweighed any negatives. Atticus showed his children first hand a hard lesson about right and wrong, and that sometimes the unpopular road is the right one. Witnessing their father’s actions, Jem and Scout are able to learn for themselves to stand up for truth and justice no matter what the consequences. To sum up, the character of Atticus Finch for me – an excellent lawyer, a remarkable father and a contributory citizen, ample traits for us to learn.

The second character that impressed me the most is Calpurnia - the Finch family’s cook and housekeeper, a woman of colour and a mother figure to Scout. Scout describes Calpurnia as a strict, demanding, and unsentimental “tyrannical presence”, at the same time, treating her with more genuine respect and obedience than any other female family member. And although not a lot has been written about her in the story, two particular incidents make me feel that she too portrayed qualities of respectfulness and bravery, just like Atticus Finch.

The first incident that I’d like to mention is when a schoolmate, Walter Cunningham, joins Scout and Jem for lunch. Scout had beaten up Walter on the school playground, so Jem ( Scout`s brother) to make up for the quarrel, extends him an invitation to have lunch at their house. Scout (already angry) is appalled by Walter's table manners and passes a comment on him. Calpurnia does not like it and with the intention of correcting Scout, she  calls her inside the kitchen and scolds her, “That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear? Don't matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house's yo' comp'ny, and don't you let me catch you remarkin' on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo' folks might be better'n the Cunninghams but it don't count for nothin' the way you're disgracin' 'em--if you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just set here and eat in the kitchen!”  Hereby meaning, “That boy is your company and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear? It doesn’t matter who they are, anybody who sets foot in this house is your guest and don't you let me catch you remarking on their ways like you were very high and mighty! You might be better than the Cunninghams but it won’t count for anything, the way you're disgracing them. If you can't act fit to eat at the table you can just sit here and eat in the kitchen!” hence teaching her that it is wrong to judge people or to treat them as inferior; everybody deserves to be treated with respect.

The second incident which depicts her bravery is when she decides to take both children to her church. The town of Maycomb had different Churches for the white people and coloured people. One day when Atticus is not in town and she cannot leave children alone at home, she decides to take them to Church with her. She even ensures that they dress up perfectly well, as that would be a reflection on how well she takes care of the children. Though both children are welcomed with open arms by most people at the Church, one particular lady Lula objects and tries to stop them. Calpurnia however pays no heed to her and stands strong with them.

Calpurnia faces her own kind of challenges on what is right, just like Atticus. Her character is largely responsible for teaching Jem and Scout the difference between right and wrong. Also Calpurnia represents the qualities of being faithful and loyal. She stays true towards the Finch family by never gossiping, back talking or complaining about them to anyone. She sticks with them and works in a white neighbourhood even during times of high racial tension and also accompanies Atticus to the Robinson house to tell Helen about Tom’s passing.

And although the book has many more impressive characters with plenty of traits to learn from, trying to describe them all in an article would not be justifiable. Given the current times, attributed by fast and easy connectivity and with social media contributing to a lot to spreading communal hatred and stereotyping, reading a book teaching otherwise will be like a breath of fresh air.

To conclude I would suggest ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ as a must read. It is a book that defies all barriers. A book which will prove relevant to all who read it, whenever they read it simply because it distinguishes between right and wrong in a very innocent and logical manner. A story of righteousness, of good parenting, of rising above petty prejudices, of kindness defeating evil, of innocence and selfless friendships, of tolerance, acceptance, co – existence and much more – all things to help us become better human beings.