"When
they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things … Atticus,
he was real nice," to which he responded, "Most people are, Scout,
when you finally see them."
The above quote
is the last line in Harper Lee's novel, “To Kill A Mockingbird” as young Scout experiences an
epiphany. I could not
resist sharing a few thoughts, as the 50th anniversary of this Pulitzer prize winning novel is celebrated. This extraordinary story is my all time favorite, and is engaging on several levels.
As you know, the story begins during the hot sticky days of summer in Maycom County, Alabama. I value the way these children made instant friendships that forged indelible bonds. This is how the summer unfolded between Dill (John Megna),
Scout (Mary Badham) and her brother Jem (Philip Alford). Actually, beyond the confines of the script, these actors did develop meaningful life long relationships. When immersed in their world, I felt a nostalgia for my own childhood days.
I
love the mystique involved with their strange seeming neighbors who lived in the house next door. How these children let their imagination run away with them, and were drawn into a night of mischief with a near miss escape. Ah, the surprise of all those inexplicable trinkets in the tree's hollow left for Jem and Scout to find. Soap figurines carved in their likeness, a pocket watch, marbles and much more. All treasures that Jem hid in a cigar
box of secrecy.
It 1962, Robert Mulligan released a remarkable film version, which was scripted by Horton Foote. Composer Elmer Bernstein's music flows with an exquisite cadence that enhances the mood of each scene. The sounds are delicate, yet moving; sad but incredibly beautiful; magically sprinkled in wonder; sometimes alarming and yet woven together in a tender love. When I first listened I felt a wonderful, almost familiar feeling like the love of belonging to my family. Bernstein's music builds us up in suspense and then descends in gentle billows returning us safely home. I could listen, and listen, and never tire.
I recall a poignant scene when an angry mob stormed down to the jail, fueled with
hate, to lynch Tom Robinson (Brock Peters). Robinson was a black man, wrongly accused of a rape crime. Atticus (Gregory Peck) anticipated trouble and sat guard in front of the jailhouse all night long. In a tense moment, young Scout suddenly recognized a man in the crowd and calls out with hospitality. "Hey, Mr. Cunningham. Hey, I go to school with your son Walter. He is a
nice boy." Scout’s innocent greeting miraculously disarms the blood thirsty group and they skulk away hanging their heads in
shame.
Throughout the movie there
is an underlying sadness and longing as Scout and Jem think about their mother who had previously died. She is missed throughout
the days and nights in the life of the Finch family. Atticus helps to fill the hole in their
hearts within the security of his abiding love. He is a bigger than life father who
shoulders the responsibilities of life with grace. As a lawyer he is willing to stand up for what is right to confront
racism, ignorance and fear. He lives Love courageously and defends Tom Robinson to prove his innocence. Atticus's
children couldn't stay away from the courthouse and squeezed their way in to watch the drama unfold from the balcony. They sat akin with the "colored people" who were oppressed and vulnerable. Ultimately, Atticus risked his family's safety and the lives of his children to serve.
What an
intense encounter ensued at the Robinson's home the night Atticus went to call on the family. It was just after the trial ended and Tom Robinson had received an unjust guilty verdict.The family was in shock and stricken with grief. Atticus went to comfort them and to offer
the hope of an appeal. Suddenly, a venomous Bob Ewell
showed up drunk and spat in Atticus' face. Atticus maintained his dignity and simply wiped his face with a handkerchief.
What a powerful moment of shining courage, and what a revelation of character as he turned and walked away from violence.
On Halloween night, an unsuspecting Scout and Jem were followed as they walked home from the school play.They were attacked in the woods and struggled with their assailant amid a dark chaos. It is their odd neighbor Boo Radley (Robert Duval) who came out of the shadows and saved their lives. The attacker Bob Ewell was killed in the skirmish. Sheriff Tate (Frank Overton) determined that in the
best interest of all, "Bob Ewell's death was an accident; that he fell on his knife." Illuminating these tragic events is the light of Love.
If you have not read this book or ever watched the movie it is a must see! Add it to your bucket list or better yet watch it today. The video clip below highlights a few scenes from this classic film.
~liz Sorensen Wessel
Journal of Sacred Work 
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