Why is "To Kill A Mockingbird" a Classic?

Question

I was not impressed by it. I would have like to seen Justice and Vindication done.

yep, got that right about unlike real life, 'cause that would have "shocked" the community that despite the pre-judging and bias notions that justice prevails. With DNA testing and today's Forensics, I get upset that innocent people are sent to jail, served time and not compensated.

Heeeey justifythegame. Amen to that.

I appreciate everyone's submissions and they have helped to understand some of it a little better. I did like here style of writing.

btw I have seen the Video, went to sleep on it. Okay I confess it is part of a book club I'm in and was looking for feedback other than my little comfort zone.

Answer 1

"To Kill A Mockingbird" is not only a classic book, but a movie as well. It stars Gregory Peck as Aticus in his most defining role in cinema, and Robert Duvall in his first motion picture. If you haven't seen it, then I would suggest that you'd do so.

I can see that you would like to have seen Justice prevail, but that's exactly what happened during the 1930's in the south. African-Americans were looked down upon during that time and considered inequal, and depression hit this country like a tidal wave. On top of that, DNA evidence didn't come out until the early 90's. So if you want a modern court case with a happy ending, watch T.V. or go your local court house.

They have good life lessons in the story, the characters are masterful, and both the book and the movie deserve to be "Classics" in the highest regard. I doubt that you would be not impressed by them.

Answer 2

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To be labeled a classic novel it has to achieve many things, basically (and from here on I'm copying something I wrote for class with a few word changes): Morality - a classic novel should say something of value, drawing attention to human problems, condemn or applaud certain points of view. it should make a statement that is more significant than the "Chocolate cake is the world's best dessert" kind of comment. We don't have to agree with the author's statement, it just has to be there. Effective language - the language used should be forceful, fresh and not hackneyed, and suitable to the purposes of the statement/message. Truthfulness - Is the work credible? Does the author make us believe what is being said? It's something that cannot, of course, be applied literally. It's not like we believe in the literal truth of Gulliver's Travels or Candide, but we understand that the authors are using fantasy and exaggeration to communicate basic truths about humanity. Moreover, a good novel, story, or drama should give us the feeling that what happened to the characters was inevitable; that, given their temperaments and the situation in which they were placed, the outcome could not have been otherwise. Everything we know about Willie Loman in Death of a Salesman, for instance, makes his suicide inevitable. A different ending would have been disappointing and untrue. Universality - Regardless of when it was written, the work should hold meaning still in the western world, and should still hold that meaning in the future. Huckleberry Finn, for example, although it has been called the first truly American novel, deals with a universal theme; the loss of innocence. Timelessness - The work should be of lasting interest. The comments the author makes about people, about the pressure, rewards, and problems of life should still be relevant. The theme of the work should be as pertinent now as it was at the time it was written. (end copying.) Now, if you've read the book (and if you haven't you really should; it's fantastic) I'm pretty sure you'd be able to spot the themes which give it its classical stature (goodness and human nature, prejudices, an innocent view of a social structure, the works) :o)

Answer 3

To Kill a Mockingbird is actually my favorite book. It is considered a classic for many reasons. First (as mentioned before) it is still around and we are still talking about it. Also, it was very groundbreaking when it was written, and for good reason. Even in the 60's as well as today, there are many people who still think this way about other races.

The reason I really appreciate it (and what you brought up about Justice and Vindication) is that it really gives us, first, a cross-section of how our society thought/thinks about the issue of race. Also, it gives us an example of our attitude towards people with this prejudice. Finch knew that the response those people had was wrong and, as hard as it was, he stood against them. The 'moral' is that we aren't supposed to stand against evil because we will win or for vindication, but because it is right.

Answer 4

There was no justice and vindication for blacks in the 1930's American South. It perfectly captured the period and is a perfect gem of the language, languor and embedded bigotry of the locale. It also was provocative regarding the state of injustice that still existed when it was published in 1960. Winning a Pulitzer Prize, ultimately it played a part in public perception and the transformation of civil rights that followed.

Answer 5

Because it was a very bold statement at the time to write a book about prejudice in the south and it still has a lot of merit today. It addresses the human condition - a requirement for a book to be a classic. That and the fact that it is a beautifully written book and the only book we have by a wonderful author. Pax-C

Answer 6

I think it is one of the most brilliant things that I have ever read. It is a classic because it deals with an aspect of history in reference to the Southern U.S.. Another reason that it is a classic is because of the style, accessibility, and the close tie to American culture. The civil rights movement was moving at the time, and this book illustrates how important that movement could be.

Answer 7

It is a classic because it captures a moment in time, and a moment in our history. The United States has had a terrible history in all things race related. The book shows where we were at a moment in our history, and does so in a way that connects emotionally with many people who read it, irregardless of race.

This is just my opinion, most "classics" are classics not because they are great stories, but because of their context. What they say, and when in history they said it.

Answer 8

In other words, you wanted it to be unlike real life?
It's a classic because it illustrates several aspects of human nature and American culture within an excellent story.

Answer 9

it is a social commentary written through the eyes of a child (innocence). If Tom had won his trail it would not have set the tone of how only children are the ones that see the truth and are not jaded by life.....

Answer 10

So many things about the book are great. The memorable characters. Lessons about the coexistence of evil and innocence.