Here's to killing mocking birds. or not. :)

Summer Reading assignments don't spark the interest of many students, and when hearing the title To Kill a Mockingbird my heart sank a little. It's definitely a classic, because all the older people I know have read it. I never would have guessed that it would have such a play on my emotions. I came to liking it so much, even though I’m only done with part one.

If I weren't older than Scout, then I would place her as my idol. She is outgoing, strong willed, and tough in everyway. She's getting the chance to be a child, and over coming those day-to-day obstacles like they are nothing at all. I envy every part of who she is. She is witty, smart, and doesn’t take put-downs from anybody. Then there is Scout's older brother Jem. He is something else. He is brave, doesn’t stand for harassment in any form, lives to make his father proud, and loves to be adventurous. His relationship with Scout reminds me very much of what my brother and I have. He picks on Scout, calls her names, and is just a pest. However, in the end, he's going to protect her and be there fro her.

I loved reading about their adventures with Dill and going to the Radley Place. The Radley Place is a manor near where Scout and her family live. During the summer, when their friend Dill comes along, they stake it out, watch its activity, and plot adventures involving the property. The way Harper Lee describes it make it sound thrilling. When I read Harper Lee’s description, I got a downgraded picture of the Satis House from Great Expectations. Basically, its seen as a vast house that is a little run down and unkempt. I don’t see the Radley Place being as big as the Satis house though. And towards the middle/end of Part I, I found the tree to be interesting. It was the one that had the gum and the two Indian head coins in it. Maybe the treat-filled tree is foreshadowing something that is yet to come in part two.

Has anyone picked up on a theme along the way? There is so much going on that I can’t figure it out. Maybe it has something to do with the community? Or family values? I could be way off. How bout symbols? I have a few in mind, but I don’t want to be wrong. haha

My favorite event had to have been when Miss Maudie’s house caught fire. Now, I’m not a masochistic person, but that whole section caught my interest. I was prepared to put down the book for a break right before this happened. So much for that idea, cause I couldn’t stop after that! How the whole neighborhood came together and everyone was aware and in action. After all the commotion settled, I got really hooked into when the conversation they were having back at home, and that mysterious blanket. It was funny when Jem flipped out too.

I’m starting part two as soon as I post this, and am so excited. The excitement was being built up, so I’m going to predict a tragic or mind blowing event is about to happen. Its got me hooked already, so we’ll see what I have for the next post 