Topic > An Evaluation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” as a Timeless Classic

A timeless classic is a novel that resonates with readers and does not fade with time. No matter how old the book is, the novel is relevant and important in today's society. For example, if the book is in the historical genre, then it should be historically accurate so that future generations can have an idea of ​​what the time period was like at that time. Additionally, characters should be complex and multidimensional to add drama and twists to the plot. To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel narrated by a little girl named Jean Louise "Scout" Finch and is set in a small town in Alabama during the Great Depression. This story attempts to show racism during an unfair trial involving an innocent black man, defended by Atticus Finch, Scout's father. Although Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is widely acclaimed and is taught in most high schools across the country, this novel definitely should not be considered a timeless classic because the book fails to be historically accurate for the time period. time and lacks unique, multi-dimensional characters. .Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To Kill a Mockingbird should not be considered a timeless classic because the book fails to accurately portray historical groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Jem reminds Atticus, Scout's father, of some previous Klan activity in their town of Maycomb. Atticus corrects Jem that "The Ku Klux is gone and will never come back." Atticus continues by explaining how “a Klan already existed around 1920, but it was more of a political organization. Besides, the Klan couldn't find anyone to scare." The klan would go to Atticus' Jewish friend's house and “the friend made the klan so ashamed of themselves that they left” (Lee 147). The phrase "I couldn't find anyone to scare" emphasizes Atticus' belief that the Ku Klux Klan was a harmless organization that was not powerful or prominent in the South. This statement is completely false. According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, Keith S. Hebert of the University of West Georgia writes that by the year 1925, “more than 2.5 million Americans had joined the Ku Klux Klan, with more than 115,000 members in Alabama” (Ku Klux Klan in Alabama from 1915 to 1930). Additionally, Hebert mentions how many African Americans and Jews continued to be targeted by this hate group. He describes how “Klansmen often physically assaulted whites and blacks who dared sit together on a bus or train. In two notable incidents, Klansmen publicly beat a black doctor in Ensley, Jefferson County, who had treated white patients and [in exchange, Klansmen killed three black farm workers in Shelby County who had left their farm white employer seeking higher wages. "Hebert writes how members of the Ku Klux Klan have gravely harmed innocent members over matters as trivial as people "sitting together on a bus or train." This evidence completely disproves Atticus's claim that the KKK is modest and not prominent. In fact, the Klan proved devastating to minorities in the South. According to Hebert, there is discrepancy between the description of the Klan in the book and the actual historical evidence inaccurate, as it downplays the importance of the Klan during that particular time period Another example of how Harper Lee does not accurately portray the Ku Klux Klan is when the main character Scout, a young girl, is able to stop an alleged.angry Klan member to kill Tom Robinson. Scout alone fends off carloads of men who had come to lynch Tom Robinson, an innocent black man, "kicking a man quickly" and asking Mr. Walter Cunningham, a familiar face, "how's he dealing with his involvement" (Lee 153). Harper Lee tries to make the angry mob full of white men seem unimportant by having them come home to an eight-year-old girl. This is an impossible situation. It is completely inaccurate that a little girl could stop an angry mob ready to lynch an innocent man by kicking him and nonchalantly asking him how "a person's relationship is going." This situation is unlikely and very imprecise. The implication of a novel that is not historically accurate is that the reader will not be able to see what actually happened during that time period. To Kill a Mockingbird is a historical novel and therefore must be a historically accurate novel. A timeless classic must describe the historical context realistically and accurately and not in an idealized way for it to educate the reader and give a true sense of reality. Harper Lee consistently belittles the Ku Klux Klan, even though it played an important role in troubling minorities throughout Alabama and the rest of the South. Therefore, To Kill A Mockingbird does not meet the criteria for historical accuracy. A timeless classic should have round, three-dimensional characters, however, To Kill A Mockingbird does not meet these criteria as multiple characters such as Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell are presented as flat and formulaic. Atticus Finch is portrayed as a hero and a man of great courage and strength because he defends a black man in the town of Maycomb. However, there is no other dimension or attribute to his character. Atticus Finch is a flat and stereotypical character in the novel, and is shown as the "wise old man". One of the many examples that portray Atticus this way is when he explains to Scout how he "does his best to love everyone" (Lee,107). This phrase ultimately represents behavior that is too perfect to be believable, making Atticus Finch also unreliable. In addition to being a one-dimensional character, Atticus is also static. He does not change his opinion or beliefs about racism throughout the novel, and especially during the dramatic court case. The courageous and courageous father and lawyer is not the only stereotypical character; Bob Ewell is another. Ewell is a character who has consistently been seen as disgusting and mean throughout the novel. Ewell is placed in the "evil villain" category. During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus explains the Ewells and how "Every town the size of Maycomb has families like the Ewells. No economic fluctuation changed their status, people like the Ewells lived as guests of the county in prosperity as well as in the depths ". of a depression. No naval officer could keep their numerous offspring in school; no public health official could rid them of birth defects, various worms, and the diseases indigenous to filthy environments" (Lee,170). Harper Lee uses terms such as "disease" and "worms" to highlight the Ewells as stereotypical evil beings and disgusting. Also, the phrase “birth defects” suggests that they are born with that characteristic and will never change. Harsh words like “dirty” give an essence to his personality explaining his characteristic of being dirty and mean. Harper Lee doesn't care to give Atticus Finch or Bob Ewell multiple dimensions of personality. Human beings, whether in a story or in real life, are more than simply good or bad, they are complex beings. Having well-rounded, dynamic characters is important with stories with plots character-based to give the story more.