To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

It’s been decades since i’ve read To Kill a Mockingbird. Eighth grade required reading. i remember loving the book. i remember lively classroom discussions. i remember watching the moving and it coming short of the book’s greatness (although - Gregory Beck!). But most of all, i remember Dolphus Raymond’s wise words: I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. i don’t know why this was so relevant to me at 14, but it stayed with me. It haunted me. It comforted me. As the years grew into adulthood, it was eye-opening.

Reading it again, there is so much more than i remember. The life lessons of keeping yourself together in the midst of chaos. The short comings of popular education. How best to cope with a bully (because everyone has one, even Atticus). There is Atticus’ brilliant speech on the unfairness of life and status (whether it be skin color or financial security or heritage) - more relevant today than in my first reading in the early ‘90’s. While Scout annoyed me in my pre-teen years, now it’s Atticus who stays in my mind. His words of wisdom. His insight. His patience and incredible forgiveness. He is heroic. i can’t help but believe the world would be so much better if we all followed the advise and example of Atticus.