“To Kill a Mockingbird” was on my to-read list for a long time. Thus when I got a copy as a Christmas gift, I read it immediately. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960, today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American Literature.
Atticus Finch, the main character, is a man of great integrity and intelligence. He represents a black defendant in a highly publicized criminal trial. Even that winning the case is impossible due to racism, Atticus stands firm in his beliefs. Here are my three life lessons from “To Kill a Mockingbird”:
Be a man of his word
“Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” - To Kill a Mockingbird
Atticus is not two-faced, wearing one face while at home, and the other look while out in public. Shortly, he is not a hypocrite.
Why is it so important to be the same for own family and others? None wants to have anything in common with the wicked and two-faced - the manipulative boss, the jealous friend, the untrustworthy parent.
“You need to get used to winnowing your thoughts, so that if someone says, “What are you thinking about?” you can respond at once (and truthfully) that you are thinking this or thinking that. And it would be obvious at once from your answer that your thoughts were straightforward and considerate ones — the thoughts of an unselfish person” - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Courage comes from within
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” - To Kill a Mockingbird
Atticus tells his son that courage is about more than men with guns. Instead, it is about knowing you’re going to lose but sticking to your views and fighting anyway. Why would you fight a lost cause? Because every fight for freedom, or again racism will eventually win.
Learn about people lives before judging them.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” - To Kill a Mockingbird
We all know empathy is significant, but it is so difficult to consider others point of view before judging them. Atticus is an excellent example for all of us - a man of great integrity and intelligence.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” has become a well-known movie.