1964

In other words all I want to be is the Jane Austen of south Alabama. As far as can be determined, author Harper Lee has granted but three interviews in her lifetime (she’s now 84).

Watch ‘Mockingbird’ author Harper Lee’s (1926-2016) last public interview – in 1964.

The novel’s title comes from a conversation between Atticus and Scout where Atticus states that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they simply sing their song and never harm others. The mockingbird is used as a symbol for Robinson, who was innocent and never hurt anyone, yet was shot dead.

On the night of the Halloween pageant Bob follows the children home and attacks them but Boo saves Jem and Scout but fatally stabs Bob Ewell. Atticus is convinced Jem killed Bob Ewell but Heck Tate (the sheriff) points out that Jem isn’t strong enough and after Bob broke his arm he wouldn’t have been able to stab him.

Standing on the porch, Scout sees in an instant how the last few months must have appeared to Boo – the trips she, Jem and Dill made, Atticus shooting the dog, the house fire, and the presents Boo left for them.

She takes Scout backstage and tells her that she ruined the pageant, causing Scout to feel awful. He says she did all right, “just came in a little late, that was all.” Scout thinks, “Jem was becoming almost as good as Atticus at making you feel right when things went wrong.”

Thus, when Atticus puts Scout to bed at the conclusion of the book, we understand that despite the tumultuous events of the past two or so years, she is in safe hands. Scout still has a great amount of growing to do, and the presence of a parent can serve as a source of comfort at her young age.