Rather than discussing the impact of this book on the reader I would much rather just share my own experience.
I first read this book in high school in English 10A. It was the first book we read after finishing off all of the first couple of weeks of review that is typical of the start of every school year. I had heard about this book, but I didn't really know what it was about. I was slightly confused as to the point of the title as was most of my class. I remember my teacher walking down the aisle of desk dropping books in front of students as well as a packet that we were to fill out while reading. She then started our class lesson but discussing the plot of the book and the historical context. When the bell rang I placed the book in my bookbag and started to follow my classmates out of the classroom. However my teacher called me to her desk. I asked what she wanted. She looked a me for a second and then said "I just want you to know that you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. Maturity-wise you're way ahead of your classmates, and I remember how rough that can be. I just wanted you to know that this book helped me out a lot when I first read it in Sophmore English, and I think it will help you too."
I thanked her, hurried out of the room and to my next class, and then concentrated on the rest of my school day. However that afternoon when I got off the bus and started working on my English homework I understood what my teacher was saying. I started reading the book (Our homework assignment was to read the first two chapters and complete those chapters in our packet.), and I couldn't put it down. I became engrossed in the story. Not just the plot of the book, but the lessons that had obviously helped my teacher when she had been my age. Lessons about dealing with people that frustrate you to no end, yet you should treat them with kindness anyways. Lessons like the quote I still have hanging above my bed-"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 anway and see it through no matter what." And most of all the lesson about doing what is right even when you'll be standing all alone.
The next I walked into my English class, looked at my teacher, and we exchanged smiles. She knew. She was also completely blown away that I had not only finished the book (Well to be honest that part didn't surprise her.) but the packet as well. I enjoyed the rest of my semester with this teacher, and on my last day of school my senior year I walked into her room and simply said "Thanks." She and I didn't need anymore words. We understood what was meant by that simple one word phrase.
To this day To Kill a Mockingbird is a favorite book of mine. I pick it up and read it when I feel bad and need something to cheer me up. When I was skimming through the book while working on this project I had to keep telling myself to put the book down and work on the assignment. I was super excited about Go Set a Watchman and loved that book just as much. (I actually preordered that book the minute I heard it was going to be published.) And while Go Set a Watchman is very different from the first, and it shocked a lot of people, I still encourge people to read it. And always I encourge people to read To Kill a Mockingbird.
I first read this book in high school in English 10A. It was the first book we read after finishing off all of the first couple of weeks of review that is typical of the start of every school year. I had heard about this book, but I didn't really know what it was about. I was slightly confused as to the point of the title as was most of my class. I remember my teacher walking down the aisle of desk dropping books in front of students as well as a packet that we were to fill out while reading. She then started our class lesson but discussing the plot of the book and the historical context. When the bell rang I placed the book in my bookbag and started to follow my classmates out of the classroom. However my teacher called me to her desk. I asked what she wanted. She looked a me for a second and then said "I just want you to know that you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. Maturity-wise you're way ahead of your classmates, and I remember how rough that can be. I just wanted you to know that this book helped me out a lot when I first read it in Sophmore English, and I think it will help you too."
I thanked her, hurried out of the room and to my next class, and then concentrated on the rest of my school day. However that afternoon when I got off the bus and started working on my English homework I understood what my teacher was saying. I started reading the book (Our homework assignment was to read the first two chapters and complete those chapters in our packet.), and I couldn't put it down. I became engrossed in the story. Not just the plot of the book, but the lessons that had obviously helped my teacher when she had been my age. Lessons about dealing with people that frustrate you to no end, yet you should treat them with kindness anyways. Lessons like the quote I still have hanging above my bed-"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 anway and see it through no matter what." And most of all the lesson about doing what is right even when you'll be standing all alone.
The next I walked into my English class, looked at my teacher, and we exchanged smiles. She knew. She was also completely blown away that I had not only finished the book (Well to be honest that part didn't surprise her.) but the packet as well. I enjoyed the rest of my semester with this teacher, and on my last day of school my senior year I walked into her room and simply said "Thanks." She and I didn't need anymore words. We understood what was meant by that simple one word phrase.
To this day To Kill a Mockingbird is a favorite book of mine. I pick it up and read it when I feel bad and need something to cheer me up. When I was skimming through the book while working on this project I had to keep telling myself to put the book down and work on the assignment. I was super excited about Go Set a Watchman and loved that book just as much. (I actually preordered that book the minute I heard it was going to be published.) And while Go Set a Watchman is very different from the first, and it shocked a lot of people, I still encourge people to read it. And always I encourge people to read To Kill a Mockingbird.