Go Set a Watchman (Harper Lee)

EN "Go Set a Watchman” is a book by the American author Harper Lee, well known for her successful book “To Kill a Mockingbird", published in 1960. This book was published in July 2015 and is considered a sequel of her first work. However, it was later revealed that in fact this book was written first than the book “To Kill a Mockingbird", which means, it is a draft of the first one that was initially rejected by the editors. Still, it is noticeable the reasons that led to the initial rejection, because it forced the author to rewrite the book and from that came the success that it is “To Kill a Mockingbird”. The criticisms of this book are many, mainly to the controversial content involving, that it also provoked in myself a certain frustration throughout the reading.

In the mid-1950s, at a time still very turbulent and divided on racial issues, we revived the character of Jean-Louise Finch, better known as Scout, who returns to her hometown, Maycomb, to visit her father, Atticus Finch. In this visit, Scout faces an inconceivable reality to her eyes and finds herself forced to face uncomfortable situations, involving family members and people she has known her entire life. Because of these situations, controversial topics such as racism are addressed throughout the book, in which we can perceive the perspectives of a young and more open mind influenced by big cities such as New York, and then we have a most closed perspective of those who live in a smaller city, still “enclosed” in the retrograde routines that older times accustomed us.

It is very interesting to see the development of the relationship between the father and the daughter, in which we easily realized that Jean-Louise had an image of the father different from what he really was. And by this I don't mean it's a negative thing. Simply the values that Atticus transmitted to Jean-Louise in her childhood did not fit with the behaviors that he showed to the society. In my opinion I don't perceive Atticus as a racist. I believe that, preferably, he should impose himself against racist behavior or demonstrations of racist situations. However, it is necessary to take in account the time when these events took place, the mindsets that were still developing and the whole scenario behind all the situations. But it is important to underline that nothing justifies racist behavior, and everyone should be condemned when they happen.

"Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends."

Although there were several negative reviews, I still recommend this book. I think it is important to try educating some mentalities and the book shows us some thoughts and behaviors that we should avoid. I really enjoyed the message that the uncle of Scout said to her saying that her friends need her the most when they are wrong, because it is an opportunity to teach them why they are wrong. I believe that it is something that we can adapt to in today's society, to all the progress that is being developed and the mentalities that have been changed.

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