Thank you, Harper Lee!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 4:46PM Today, April 28, is the author Harper Lee's 84th birthday. To Kill a Mockingbird is Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel. I have never met Harper Lee, nor have many for she has lived a rather private life; but we do have an autographed copy of the novel that my sister gave us. Her signature strengthens my connection to her and to her characters in the book, and it deepens my appreciation for her. My discerning a call to ordained ministry began informally after reading the book and watching the movie.
Atticus Finch, the book's protaganist, a heroic father, attorney, citizen, and although never explicitly stated, a theologian is one of the great influences in my life. Atticus takes on the defense of a black man in a rural southern town, a trial whose outcome is determined by the color of his skin long before the first witness is called. This decision and experience causes Atticus and his children no small amount of ostracism and grief. Scout and Jem are Atticus' daughter and son. Here is an excerpt when Atticus explained to Scout why he chose to defend the black man, Tom Robinson.
". . . sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down - well, all I can say is, when you and Jem are grown, maybe you'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn't let you down. This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience - Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship "God if I didn't try to help that man."
"Atticus, you must be wrong . . . "
"How's that?"
"Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong. . ."
"They're certainly entitled to think, that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've go to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."
Amen and thank you Harper Lee! Happy Birthday! Peace, John+
Reader Comments (2)
That is great. To Kill a Mockingbird is a great book. It definitely shows to what extent a person will go to do the right thing, regardless of the majority opnion. Thisis a good example of how difficult it can be to do the right thing.
I do love To Kill a Mockingbird! (I was expecting something new by today, however.) I like the "golden rule" qualities and think it isn't being taught enough. And, I think Scout would be an excellent name for our next pet!