To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a great work in American literature, and has been taught in schools for many years. The book is the story of two young children during part of their time growing up. In this book, readers see the adventures of Scout and Jem, and how they learn from them. Along with learning that racism is a big part in their society in this time, and the unfairness of it. The novel should be taught in schools because of the lessons taught to readers by Scout and Jem, as well as lessons about the effects and extremity of racism. The siblings Jem and Scout, Scout especially, teach readers important lessons and proves why this book should be in the high school curriculum. The book is narrated from the perspective of young Scout. Through
She sees this and rather than going with society, Scout confronts the rules and does and believes what she knows is right. Readers in high school can learn from this to stand up for themselves and what they believe is right. Scout also learns maturity throughout this book. In the first part of the book Scout gets into a fight and Atticus later tells her this is not acceptable. Then later when she is challenged again she “walked away from a fight” (Lee 102). This shows Scout’s growing maturity as a young woman and how she has learn to listen and do what is right. This teaches readers to step back even when they feel like they can not or should not because it is the right and mature thing to do. Later on towards the end of the book, when Aunt Alexandra has her missionary circle over Scout comments “After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I” (Lee 318). Scout notices that after just finding out that Tom has been killed, her Aunt still acts like a lady, and Scout plans to do the same. Scout teaches readers that it is possible to stay mature and collected even when going through