Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

May 1, 2011

Gr 11 Up-Unlike Catherine Bernard's ZUnderstanding To Kill a Mockingbird (Gale/Lucent, 2003) or "Bloom's Modern Critical Interpretations" (Chelsea House), this text serves as a teaching tool and examines more sophisticated issues than earlier anthologies. An abbreviated listing from the table of contents is indicative of the depth and breadth of theses essays: Part 1-"Educational Approaches" includes articles on online discussions, multimedia presentations, and using soundtracks to teach the novel. Part 2-"To Kill a Mockingbird and the Justice System" contains a perspective on Southern Liberalism, the novel's influence on the legal profession, and "Bending the Law: the Search for Justice and Moral Purpose." Part 3-"Themes, Imagery and Structural Choices" looks at "paired characters," reading the book 50 years after publication, fear and Halloween imagery, the "Rigid and Time-Honored Code" of racism in sports, and symbolism. Part 4-"Social Concerns" addresses a variety of ways to view disability in the novel. Most of the 15 essays were written by scholars and educators; a few were contributed by communication specialists and an attorney. The articles regarding online discussions and soundtracks bring a completely new and fresh approach to teaching the classic. The essays on bending the law and how we look at "others" are thought-provoking. Although this excellent collection of viewpoints would be valuable to instructors, the reading level might be challenging for many high schoolers.-Joanne K. Cecere, Monroe-Woodbury High School, Central Valley, NY

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