Why is the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee such a good book?

Question

I have to write a a 400 word essay on one of my favorite books. I have wrote several sentences already, but i am having trouble describing why its so great. I dont need a summary of the plot. Why is it such a classical masterpiece?

Answer 1

This is one of my favorites to however for me it is not the fact that the story is great, which it is but the fact that i would read this book without the important themes which it explores. I think the test of truly great literature is that it can be read for the pure enjoyment of believable characters, and amazing prose, i would be quite happy to just read about the different unconnected adventures of Scout and Jem and their father, don't get me wrong the issues discussed are important but a novel to me should be about reading something in which the sound of the language, the words and contruction of the sentences, is both beautiful and takes me to a time and place where i have never been but still feel i can experience in some way through the authors eyes. An important theme is good but essentially the test of a novel is the language and its ability to transport and create not simply to explore a themes, make a point or tell a story, this is why To kill a Mocking Bird is one of my favorites, and i will always think the DA Vinci Code and books by Robert Godard are utter bullshit.

Answer 2

I think one of the reasons on why "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is such a good book is that the whole story has depicted the humane relationships between the father and his children, I mean Atticus always uses kind words with appropriate means as well as psychological influence regarding how he raises and controls his children. We can see and agree that he is a model father. Moreover, he as a lawyer who has dedicated to do his duty to defend the black young man who is falsely accused of serious, sexual harassment, in other words, it's also the question of racism in that town from which he needs to prove there's still justice to keep and apply to general people there, not merely bias or vanity . But he still persists and wins the case in the end, in short, he treats other people as fellow human beings without his prejudice or hatred due to the man's race or skin color.

I also especially admire how the author has written so well about the relationships between the two children, Scout and Jem, that we as readers focus our attention and wonder what would happen to them for some unthinkable adventures at night. They simply did something out of innocence and with their own ideas and reasonable conviction. Unless there are these cute, wise children, this novel can be stale, unreadable with less literary values or appreciation as evidenced from such readership worldwide.

I hope this should guide you for some more ideas on your writing, good luck.

Answer 3

To me, it's a great book because the characters are really believable and it touches upon very important issues, like family (both by blood and circumstance), racism, justice and responsibility.
The fact that the main characters are two kids whom are not patronizingly portrayed as stupid or simplistic, is also a reason why the book is good.

Answer 4

I think just because it presents such an innocent view of an atrocious act by the people of the white southern community. That it makes people cry also helps.

Answer 5

All the characters are believable as real people, they could be someone you know.
The characters grow and change.
The story paints a picture of a time and a place which we experience while reading the story.
Even the "bad" people are made to be slightly sympathetic or at least understandable as products of their lives.
Nobility exists in the character of Atticus.
Good juxtaposition of good vs. evil.
And it's just a darn good story. These are a few of my observations.

Answer 6

There are many people who would laugh at the prospect of changing their fates. This is due to the fact that it thinks that nobody gets more that exactly what is written in his fate.