The story is set in America in the 1930’s. The book is written from the perspective of two young children’s eyes. Jem and Scout Finch live in a small town called Maycomb. Their father Atticus is a lawyer and the kids have apparently care free childhood. Their greatest worry and fascination is their peculiar neighbor who never leaves his house. Their days are filled with scary made up stories about the neighbor and courageous attempts to tease him.
But everything changes when their father is tasked with defending a person of colour in a case of the rape of a young woman.
Their father is soon called a ‘nigger-lover’ and Jem and Finch start to experience disapproval from the town’s folk. Because of Atticus’ peaceful and so benevolent approach to parenthood, the kids don’t judge anybody by the colour of their skin so it is hard for them to face reality. With a childish naivety they believe that everybody is equal.
Jem and Scout’s uncomplicated childhood picture of the world starts getting its first cracks as it encounters the unfair and prejudiced world of adults.
I honestly didn't expect such an ending. I was moved to tears. I think that sometimes nothing messes up a child’s mind more than adults and the pain of growing up.
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