Summary

To Kill a mockingbird is an exceptional work of fiction that blatantly uncovers the not so fictional
truths of racism, classism and other societal illnesses in of then and now America. These issues are
presented in this book by Harper Lee through a narration of a now adult girl; Scout, recalling the
events of 3 impactful years of her childhood. Scout's character is similar to the reality of Harper Lee.
Who herself was also the youngest sibling, a professed tomboy and daughter to a lawyer who
defended black men up for murder trials.

Even though the book was published in 1960 it is set in the early 1930s in a made up town;
Maycomb in Alabama, during the great depression. As seen in recent times any such economical
extremities increases the social and racial differences. Similarly, Scout along with her 4 years older
brother Jem are faced with the realities of life when one summer their father; a widowed lawyer
Atticus Finch is said to defend an African American; Tom Robinson, against alleged charges of rape of
a white girl; Mayella Ewell, the daughter of the town disgrace; Bob Ewell.

Scout and Jem are brought up by a black cook Calpurnia who is no less than a member of the family
or a mother to the children. To these children, race is not obvious and throughout the story we can
see it creep into their world like a off season rabid dog. The story begins at the start of a summer
when, Scout, Jem and their new friend Dill play in the neighbourhood often spying on their reclusive
neighbour Boo Radley, who is rumoured to dine on cats and squirrels at night never to be seen by
anyone. After a summer of unsuccessful schemes to get Boo outside, Dill returns to Mississippi and
Jem and Scout start school. The school helps set the class or status system of Maycomb as Scout
introduces her fellow mates and their reasons of acting in certain ways based on their family
statuses and honour. Despite the reservations that the kids had about Boo, the rest of the year they
receive gifts from him through a knothole on the Radley property. When Winter comes Scout and
Jem learn that Atticus has taken the case of Tom Robinson. During the months leading up to the trial
Scout and Jem witness just how racist and divided Maycomb really is. To help cope up with the
challenges their Aunt Alexandra arrives who intends well but is an alien to the kids against their
father's equalist parenting. Despite standing by her brother she is also a supporter of the class
division in Maycomb and soon becomes one with the prejudice ladies who week after week sit in
their drawing rooms drinking tea, discussing the less fortunate who are all those who aren’t white,
Christian and American and how it is their duty to help educate them. The climax of the story occurs
at the trial, where after Atticus’s cross examination it is clear that Tom Robinson is innocent but
despite the building tension, the jury still gives a guilty verdict. A few weeks later Tom tries to escape
from prison and is shot dead. By this time Bob Ewell has already begun to make public threats to the
Finches and after a school play in fall a drunk Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout, breaking Jem’s arm.
Fortunately, Boo Radley comes to their rescue leaving Bob dead. Scout finally understands the
stigma the society had created around Boo and Tom, thus the two plot lines converge. Sheriff Tate
exercising his authority covers for Radley and says Ewell fell on his own knife. Scout walks Boo home
and finally understands the value of his presence as the neighbour and why he choose to stay inside.