HIGH SCHOOL CLASSIC CONFIDENTIAL

Teenagers share their experiences of reading To Kill a Mockingbird

If you attended high school in North America, chances are at some point before graduating, you read Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book To Kill a Mockingbird. Since its publication in 1960, it has remained a staple, both in English lit classroom curriculum, and as a novel that young people pick up independently, a bridge between the books of childhood and the heavier literature of the adult world. We spoke to several high schoolers about their own experiences reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time and about how the book affected them to understand why, several generations of readers later, Lee’s book still resonates. “In seventh grade, we were assigned to read To Kill a Mockingbird on our own, and come back in a week ready to discuss it. When I brought home my copy and told my mom about it, she sort of freaked out, telling me what a classic it was and that we had to watch the Gregory Peck film when I’d finished it. While I identified with Scout the most, Boo Radley was the most captivating character; his communication with Scout through enigmatic objects is so haunting to me.” — Lucy, 18 “I was really drawn in by this book. Scout’s narrative is something I’ve often come back to. Seeing how young she was but still so ahead of her time is inspiring. I liked how she always tried to stick up for what she believed in, and always tried to help.” — Toni, 15 “I read To Kill a Mockingbird a little over a year ago because we had to write an essay on it. I loved it, and found it both an excellent read and a way to learn about the horrors of racism in America. Something that really stayed with me after reading the book was how such a serious story was told through the eyes of a child, and as she grew up she lost this sense of innocence that I think many teenagers can relate to as they grow up and are more exposed to serious topics like judgment and racism.” — Natalia, 17 “I first read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was 12. As a tween who felt that adults were generally condescending about complex issues such as racism, I thought the way the novel allowed for formative opinions and discussion from people of all ages was mind-blowing. It became my favourite novel if only because it acknowledged both the ability for kids to be active and juvenile, but to also be able to converse and intellectualize on a level I had never been told I was capable of. “— Emily, 17 “What’s stayed with me is the general spookiness of the book. The rabid dog, the dying tree, Boo Radley’s lurking presence. I think I was too young to understand the real evil present in the book, but these images have stuck with me.” — Kirby, 18 “When I first read To Kill a Mockingbird, it was difficult not to concentrate exclusively on what my English teacher had to say about the book. I wanted to look past the commonly studied themes. I think I tried to shape the book to fit my own view of the world. I related to Scout, and compared my relationships with my father and brother to hers with Atticus and Jem. I remember enjoying the tale as a coming-of-age story, because that was what was most relatable for me. Since I identified with Scout, I saw the world of the novel through her eyes and judged everyone through her values. I think it was a good introduction to race relations and critical thinking.” — Elena, 17

Weekend Post