Book Review #2

  In the breathtaking novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, characters grow up under extraordinary circumstances in the 1930s in the Southern United States. The story covers a span of three years, during which the main characters undergo significant changes. Scout Finch, the main character, lives with her brother Jem and their father Atticus in the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a small, close-knit town, and every family had its social station depending on where they live, who their parents are, and how long their ancestors have lived in Maycomb.
  A widower, Atticus raises his children by himself, with the help of kindly neighbors and a black housekeeper names Calpurnia. Scout and Jem almost instinctively understand the complexities of their neighborhood and town. The only neighbor who puzzles them is the mysterious Arthur Radley, nicknamed Boo, who never comes outside. When Dill, another neighbor's nephew, starts spending summers in Maycomb, the three children begin an obsessive quest to lure Boo outside.
  Scout is a tomboy who prefers the company of boys and generally solves her differences with her fists. She demonstrates the genius qualities of curiosity, wonder and wisdom throughout the chain of events in the novel. She tries to make sense of a world that demands that she act like a lady, a brother who criticizes her for acting like a girl, and a father who accepts her just as she is. Scout hates school, gaining her most valuable education on her own street and from her father.
  Not quite midway through the story, Scout and Jem discover that their father is going to represent a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping and beating a white woman. This action proves the genius quality of wisdom in Atticus because he is fighting for racial equality. Due to this courageful action, Scout and Jem have to tolerate a barrage of racial slurs and insults because of Atticus' role in the trial. This is  relevant to their life and everything they do because they learn to mature and grow up by ignoring the claims being thrown at them. After the trial, Atticus reports that Tom Robinson had been killed in an escape attempt. Scout learns valuable lessons about achieving the ideal of womanhood and carrying on in the face of adversity that day through her aunt's Missionary Society meeting: through this her wisdom is strengthened.
  Things slowly return to normal in Maycomb, and Scout and Jem realize that Boo Radley is no longer an all-consuming curiosity. After the Halloween pageant Scout was embarrassed in front of, Jem and her walk home, being randomly attacked. Jem badly breaks his arm during the attack. As the sheriff arrives at the Finch house to announce that Bob Ewell has been found dead under the tree where the children were attacked, having fallen on his own kinfe. By this time, Scout realizes that the stranger is no other than Boo Radley, and that Boo was responsible for killing Ewell, thus saving her and Jem's lives. This illustrates Boo was a good spirit to the Finch siblings and becomes a great friend of their's afterwards, 
  In conclusion, Scout returns to Jem's room where Atticus is waiting, He reads her to sleep and then waits by Jem's bedside for his son to wake up. The genius quality of wisdom is found in all of the main characters and is displayed through their dialouge and actions. Each and every character faces emotional struggle but somehow learn to overcome their obstacles. I can personally say that Scout and I are somewhat similar because we both matured up by going through harsh experiences. This novel made me have a better insight on life and the relationships I have with people.