海角大神

Harper Lee, author of the beloved novel 鈥淭o Kill a Mockingbird,鈥� has died.

Ms. Lee鈥檚 鈥淢ockingbird,鈥� which told the story of young Scout Finch and her experiences as her lawyer father Atticus struggles against racism in Depression-era Alabama, was her first novel.聽

The 1960 book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and has since became a staple of English departments in schools across America. It was adapted into an Oscar-winning 1962 movie.

Lee鈥檚 only other novel was the 2015 work 鈥淕o Set a Watchman,鈥� which continued the story of 鈥淢ockingbird,鈥� centering on an adult Scout.聽

The author was born in Monroeville, Alabama, and Lee鈥檚 father, Asa Coleman Lee, is often attributed as an inspiration for Scout鈥檚 staunch father, Atticus. Truman Capote was a childhood friend. Lee went to Huntingdon College and then to the University of Alabama to study law.

When 鈥淢ockingbird鈥� was released, it quickly became a bestseller. In the decades after, she became a somewhat mysterious figure as she avoided interviews and a new book failed to appear until "Watchman."

"Mockingbird" became a cherished work worldwide and Lee herself became an icon.聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 impossible to overstate her importance to this state,鈥� Andy Crank, assistant professor of American literature at the University of Alabama, says in an interview with the 海角大神 Science Monitor. Of the book, Mr. Crank says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 part of our hearts, it鈥檚 part of our heritage, it鈥檚 part of the culture here.鈥�

Kerry Madden-Lunsford, associate professor of creative writing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the author of 鈥淯p Close: Harper Lee,鈥� calls her 鈥渢he daughter of Alabama.鈥澛�

鈥淪he鈥檚 so beloved here, from generation to generation,鈥� Ms. Madden-Lunsford says in an interview with the 海角大神 Science Monitor.聽

"Mockingbird" presents various ideas, including that of standing up for what is right even if your opponents are those you love. Crank says he believes one of the most important lessons of the book is father Atticus鈥檚 comment that 鈥測ou never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.鈥�

鈥淭he one that is really needed right now is this idea of empathy,鈥� Crank says.聽

Because "Mockingbird" is narrated by young Scout, the reader experiences the turbulent events through the eyes of a child. One underrated aspect of the novel, Crank says, is Lee鈥檚 skill at depicting a young character and the adventures of childhood.聽

鈥淵ou remember what it鈥檚 like to be a child, the magic and the mystery of it,鈥� he says of reading the book.聽

But far from classifying it as children鈥檚 literature, Madden-Lunsford says it鈥檚 a book that takes on different meanings as the reader grows older.聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 one that you turn to at different stages of your life,鈥� she says.聽

While all the characters are memorable, Scout鈥檚 adored father Atticus has become an American literary example of courage 鈥� and a cinematic one, with the American Film Institute declaring him the best hero in all of cinema in a 2003 ranking.聽

But his courtroom actions aren鈥檛 the only aspect of his life that鈥檚 inspirational. 鈥淚t made me aim higher as a mother,鈥� Madden-Lunsford says of Atticus鈥檚 example of parenting.聽

鈥淢ockingbird鈥� will continue to be beloved in years to come, says Crank.

鈥溾�橳o Kill a Mockingbird鈥� is a masterpiece,鈥� Crank says. 鈥淗arper Lee is a genius. That novel is going to continue to be compelling.鈥�