On Friday, Feb. 19, world renowned author Harper Lee (Nelle Harper Lee), died at the age of 89 in her hometown, Monroeville, Alabama. The author is best known for her 1960 novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." The story is told from the perspective of 7-year-old Scout Finch and her brother Jem, focusing on the challenges they face in a divided U.S. South. Moreover, their father is defending a black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The novel discusses the issues of justice, race and prejudice which are relevant even today hence the book’s universal appeal.
Harper Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Pulitzer Prize for her contribution to literature. Her second book "Go Set a Watchman" was published in 2015, almost 55 years after her first novel. The author felt that none of her other works lived up to the expectations of "To Kill a Mockingbird," hence her decision to not to publish any of them. In this second novel, the characters have grown older and Scout is now 26. It shows a darker side to the first novel and is more reflective of the world around us.
With the popularity of "To Kill a Mockingbird," which continues to sell many copies till today, Harper Lee earns $3 million in royalties every year. Despite this immense amount of wealth, money did not change the author’s lifestyle. She lived in a modest apartment in New York and traveled around town by bus. When she returned to her hometown in Alabama by train, she lived in a small house with her sister. She donated most of her wealth to charitable organizations that promoted education opportunities. She did not like being in the spotlight, so all donations were made anonymously.
Harper Lee can also be considered a feminist of her generation. In earlier pictures, she has her hair cut short in a ‘boyish’ style. This was during a time when women were under pressure to look very feminine. The author’s haircut is a symbol of her differential thinking to other women in that era. One who could make her own independent decisions. The author also went to college in Alabama, wrote for her school newspaper and was part of the literary honor society. Attending a university in the 40s was a bold step in the direction of feminism, as men outnumbered women 2 to 1.
In Charles Shield’s book, "Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee," Lee claims she had few love affairs and never married. It is unclear of why she decided not get married but her decision set her aside from other women in her generation. She decided to put her writing career first and not let social norms impact her decisions.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" is considered one of the most influential novels in the world, as it raises thought provoking questions about race, gender and justice. The issues discussed in the novel are still very much relevant today and consequently, the book is still taught in classrooms in the U.S. and around the world. The author has enlightened us with so many life lessons through her novels and her memories will continue to live on along with her books.
