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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]When Harper Lee wrote the novel, she did it in part to get the story of the Scottsboro trial into the hands of white Americans who may not otherwise pay much attention to the true account of nine black boys being falsely accused of rape and subsequently thrown into jail for decades. This story highlights injustice, but it does so through the flawed, young eyes of a white protagonist, somebody who is learning the injustices of her surroundings as well as her own privilege. In the first third of the novel, Atticus talks to Scout several times about their privilege in Maycomb society, and he does so in a way that acknowledges the past injustices committed by their ancestors and the false graces granted to the Finch name. (In the first chapter, the adult Scout references the fact one of their ancestors owned 3 slaves.) Atticus understands his society. In fact, he knows he is going to lose Tom Robinson’s case, saying that Tom lost “a hundred years ago.” He represents a man trying to teach his children right from wrong.

The book discusses racism in a remarkable way for the 1960s, if we are to judge the book by its own time. The title itself is a reference to innocence and the fact society often kills it, a statement that can apply to either Tom Robinson or Boo Radley.

Atticus says that we can’t really know somebody until we walk a mile in their place. I read that when I was a high schooler MANY years ago, and I admit that statement helped me develop a moral compass. It encourages a person to see past their own anger, misunderstandings, and prejudice. I am a better person because I remember that lesson and it puts a check on my own bad thoughts. I understand why some schools may remove it, but in my own family I didn’t wait for schools to teach it. We read it last summer. [/quote]

This is exactly the way they would teach it which is why it can’t be taught right now. This poster still have a 1980’s understanding of the text.

If they could update the teaching to be more current it might be able to be taught, but “you can’t handle the truth” right now, so it can’t be taught[/quote]

This is confusing. How is acknowledging the evils of slavery, racism, and segregation a 1980s response? How would you recommend we update the teaching so this novel can still be taught?[/quote]

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