Callie Brothers
Advanced Composition: Major Blog Post #4
4/13/16
Dr. C
Go
Set a Watchman, was published in July 2015. This book is written by the
well-known, Harper Lee, who also wrote, To
Kill a Mockingbird. Lee recently passed away, February 19, 2016 at the age
of 89. This book, Go Set a Watchman was
written as sequel to, To Kill a
Mockingbird but wasn’t published until this past year. The title of this
piece was taken out of biblical context. The verse, Isaiah 2:16 says, “For thus
hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.”
After being published, Go Set a Watchman’
was very highly recommended. This particular book was the most pre-ordered book
since previous sales of Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hollows. Many stores spent days preparing for this big day
sale.
Many
wondered what this book would be like after the strong story line within, To Kill a Mockingbird. Within this book,
like To Kill a Mockingbird, Jean
Louise Finch is the narrator. She is describing her relationship with her
father, Atticus Finch, and who he was within the community of Maycomb. From the
story, you soon come to the realization that Atticus is the designated
‘watchman’. The context and setting of this book is very similar to the things
within To Kill a Mockingbird. There
are also the same issues within both books. There are issues with racial
circumstances, especially within the 1950’s. But the entire story is focused
around Atticus and Scout (Jean Louis Finch). Scout is a very young, independent
girl who cares for her morals and the values in which she was taught at a young
age. Atticus, her father, is a strong, well mannered, and well educated lawyer.
Uncle Jack, was Scouts uncle and mentor. And Henry, a loyal friend and
sweetheart from childhood years.
As Scout returns home for her vacation time to
spend with her father, she runs into her crush from previous years. She is now
26 years old, living in New York. After seeing her friend, Henry, she meets to
visit with her loving father, Atticus, and her delicate family member, Uncle
Jack.
Scout
and Henry decide to spend a lovely day together, happily and friendly. While on
this day trip, Scout encounters an interesting situation with Henry. While
riding down the road, they are passed by a car full of colored people. Henry
informs Scout that since her departure to New York, the colored folks of the
community can now afford a vehicle. He explains that just because they have a
car, they take their own rights while never having a license. Things have truly
ended since Scout left. Scout finds a particular paper within her father’s
papers. She comes across this paper that says, “The Black Plague”. She reads
through the paper and realizes her father is going to appear within the town
hall. She follows her father, and sits upon the balcony, listening and
immediately becomes horrified and filled with rage towards her father.
After
talking with Atticus, informing him of her confusion and telling him about a
vision. He informs her of the issue and why he was present within the town
hall. She is informed that, Calpurnias (her retired house maid) grandson had
killed a man while driving, but the man he hit was also drunk. Atticus proceeds
by telling her the only reason that he took the case was to keep the NAACP away
from Maycomb.
Uncle Jack, also confirms to Scout that her
father is doing the best that he can. They do not want the government involved
because nothing would truly turn out well. She continues to question her
father’s duties to the community and the responsibility that he has. She also
questions the way he raised her, that he was being completely hypocritical. In
the end, Scout comes to terms with her father, and realizes that everything
that he has done was for her and the communities benefit. She finally forgives
him and realizes that she will always be proud of her father and everything
that he stands for.
Throughout
this story line, Harper Lee creates a story filled with racial circumstances.
These are the same circumstances within To
Kill a Mockingbird. There is a similar story line, based around the Finch
family. She painted this racial picture but also a southern family picture. There
is also a similar creation of an intimate relationship between Atticus and
Scout. Harper Lee has created an outstanding sequel, yet almost destroyed the
true meaning within the original story line. Lee, took away some of the main
characters, yet to replace them she added new characters to add to the family.
It is significant that she took away different characters yet created a
different feel against each of them.
I agree
with the racial principles in which Lee was trying to bestow upon fellow
readers. I enjoyed how see intertwined stories so that it would still pertain
to, To Kill a Mockingbird. This book
consisted of many principles and values, and made this book another historical
classic, although it will never be the original story that we all love so much.
Many reviews have claimed that this book was poorly written, that it reminded
them of an original rough draft that was unfinished. They also felt that the
characters were undeveloped and not accurately described. They claimed that it
was inaccurate, that it was a mixer of statements put together. They felt that
within the first pages that the plot wasn’t clearly exposed as it should be.
Many were
disappointed in its exposition and the way that it was written, yet many still
show respect for dear Harper Lee and the astonishing classic that she brought
to American literature.
I found
great joy in reading this book, but felt very strongly about some of the
responses that the critics had. I felt that this book truly should have never
been published because now when I read, To
Kill a Mockingbird, once more, I will revert back to this sequel. I am
afraid that the feel in which this literature provides will truly never be the
same.
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