To Kill a Mockingbird is a true example that certain treasures can stand the test of time. This book, released in 1960, has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and is still going strong. The book, illustrating the prejudice, hypocrisy, and inhumanity of a small town in Alabama in the 1930's, has won numerous awards, and even a Pulitzer Prize (the most highly regarded writing prize).
The story is told through the eyes of an 8 year old girl named Scout, the youngest child in the Finch family, which also includes her brother Jem, and wise and noble father Atticus. The start of the book (part I) focuses on Scout introducing the town and inhabitants of Maycomb, their town, and on a house a few doors down from the Finch's, the Radley residence. Scout starts to attend school (to much of her protest), and the reader is introduced to a few of the characters (and families) in this book.
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To Kill a MockingbirdThe children, now including their friend Dill, are very curious with the Radley place, as they think one of its residents, Boo Radley, is insane, and that is the reason that he does not come out of the house. One night they decide to investigate, resulting in them being shot at by Boo's father, Mr Radley.
Part II of the story is the real complication of the book. Atticus is asked to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who is charged with the rape of a white woman named Mayella Ewell. Whereas a normal white person living in Maycomb at that time would have hastily dismissed the case, Atticus, being the noble gentleman that he is, decides to take up the case, against the white communities wishes. One quote in the book metaphorically says "You can shoot all...