I admit that the ending was a little unexpected but I feel that it is still a good one. I expected the story to link back to the beginning where Scout, as a grown-up adult, recounted incidents in the past. Instead, the novel ended with Atticus tucking Scout into bed and that he will always be there for Jem. Nevertheless, I still feel that the ending is an appropriate one as the main themes of this story are about racial prejudice and social prejudice as well as mockingbirds as a symbol.
In the ending, Atticus said, "Most people are (real nice), Scout, when you finally see them." If we relate this back to the symbolism of a mockingbird, which is also part of the title of the novel, "most people" refers to the mockingbirds in the story. These people include Tom Robinson, Boo Radley and Jem etc. There are literal references in the book where mockingbirds are referred to. For example, Mr Underwood "likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children," and Miss Maudie mentioned that "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy." The mockingbirds are a symbol of fairness, justice and innocence. Tom Robinson and Boo Radley were all innocent but were discriminated against by the residents of Maycomb County. The residents of Maycomb County committed sins as they killed several mockingbirds through their words and actions that demonstrated prejudice and discrimination (social, racial and gender). The mockingbirds contributed to the society in a positive way but ended up being "killed".
Also, at the ending, Atticus "would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning." Atticus was the protector of the mockingbirds. He stood up for them and upheld justice and tried to stop other people from killing these mockingbirds by changing their perspectives of things. However, Tom Robinson was still convicted at the end despite the huge amount of evidence that was provided before the judge. Although Atticus had failed at this attempt, he still remained optimistic as he knew that the prejudicial views could not be eradicated over such a short period of time. He remained as a father and an educator of Jem and Scout at the end of the novel.
If I were the author, I would not end the story differently. The ending presented in the novel resolved all the issues while Jem and Scout matured a lot through their experiences. The novel also ends with the reader wondering what Scout is like now after all that she has gone through.
Hi Ivan,
ReplyDeleteOther than the points that you noted in your blog post, I feel that another reason for this ending is the time period that the story is set in. Note that the story was set in the 1930s, when racial prejudice and discrimination was still abound. As you have stated in your blog post, the main themes of the story was about racial and social (to some extent) prejudice, and in order to have a realistic story, Harper Lee simply could not have a happily ever after story where the jury became convinced by Atticus. Let's face it: At that time, when the entire jury was white, there was simply no chance for any black criminal to be acquitted. This is also mirrored in the Scottsboro trials. Overall, I feel that you have addressed the key ideas of the endings, and well done! :D
Cheers,
Roystan
Dear Roystan,
ReplyDeleteThere might be a little misinterpretation here but the ending I am referring too is the last few paragraphs of the book, not the results of the trial.
Thanks.
Regards,
Ivan
Dear Ivan,
ReplyDeleteI disagree when you state that the ending leaves the reader wondering about Scout. I feel that from Scout's conversation with Atticus that she has developed an understanding of how people discriminate other people. Since the story is written in a first person perspective, it is impossible to not know how the narrator feels and thinks.
Also, I feel that the ending does link back to the beginning. In the beginning, Scout says that Jem got his arm broken. It is only natural that the end would end with him breaking his arm.
Lastly, I feel that you have not grasped the concept that apart from the mockingbirds symbolysing fairness, justice and innocence, they also benefit the community. Throughout the story, we can see how Arthur Radley helps Scout and Jem. Tom Robinson helps Mayella Ewell and is killed for it.
However, I think your assessment of the ending is quite logical and illuminating. It allows us to link the ending with the progress of the story which lets us see the thinking process of the author.
Regards,
Jian Shern
Dear Jian Shern,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments but I mentioned "The mockingbirds contributed to the society in a positive way but ended up being "killed"." Perhaps I should have given some examples.
I feel that the ending is appropriate but after I read the whole novel, I wanted to know what Scout is now like. I agree that the ending addressed and settled all the issues in the novel, I didn't mean that the ending was lacking in substance but I felt that the ending could be edited a little to give us more information about Scout as an adult.
I don't understand what you mean by "Since the story is written in a first person perspective, it is impossible to not know how the narrator feels and thinks.", yes I do agree, but their feelings and thoughts are demonstrated through their actions and words.
Regards,
Ivan