Letters About Literature Home >> 2008 National Winners and Honorable Mentions >> Level 2 National Honorable Mention: Daniel Le
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Letters of 2008 National Winners and Honorable Mentions
Level 2 National Honorable Mention: Daniel Le
Dear Ms. Lee,
I have only begun to appreciate the power of your work To Kill
a Mockingbird. Even on my first reading, I was enthralled by
this moral drama of good and evil set in the "deep" South
during the Great Depression. I was most indignant when the verdict
went against Tom Robinson, but I did not immediately relate it
to any personal experience. At a family gathering, however, a
chance discussion about your book unleashed a torrent of passionate
personal stories from my usually reticent and reserved family.
Clearly, your historical fiction about social injustice and discrimination
struck a chord. My grandfather recounted how he silently endured
racial epithets for years and how he had to pay blackmail to
a white city inspector to keep his laundry open. My dad will
never forget how his family was treated when they attempted to
rent apartments in Manhattan's Upper West Side in the 1960s.
Speaking perfect English, he had no problem getting appointments
to see the apartments on the phone. When he went with my grandparents
to see the apartments, however, he was told pointedly, "We
don't rent to your kind."
As long as hatred, racism, and discrimination exist in our imperfect
world, your book will serve as a stark reminder that we all have
to speak out against injustices and work cooperatively to improve
the lives of those less privileged. To Kill a Mockingbird sharply
raised my awareness of the pervasiveness of racism and how it
clouds judgment. I am challenged to reflect on my own prejudices
and ignorance. Boo Radley made me realize that the mentally disabled,
though shunned by society, share our ideals and values. While
the real world may not always concur with Boo's black-and-white
sense of good and bad, there is something precious about his
simple goodness and childlike beliefs.
Your book taught me much about the nature of humankind as well.
The court's verdict in the trial of Tom Robinson meant that even
with convincing evidence, one of the most credible, honest, black
men was not fit to lick the shoes of the lowest white. This led
me to conclude that racism, in various forms, flourishes among
people who need to put down others for no legitimate reason other
than petty gratification. On the other hand, it showed me how
trial and tribulation brings families closer. Aunt Alexandria,
who appears to be a rather detached, unkind character, murmurs
to Atticus after the case, "I'm sorry, brother."
I see a part of myself in Jem Finch. His naiveté about
the intense racism and evil that existed in Maycomb reminded
me of my own ignorance. Jem is upset about the conviction of
Tom Robinson, repeatedly saying, "It ain't right... How
could they do it, how could they?" He does not realize the
destructive power of racism. Even after reading the book multiple
times, I am still stunned at the jury's conviction of Tom Robinson
with the evidence for acquittal staring them in the face. In
addition, Jem's arrogance and "know-it-all" attitude
helped me acknowledge that I have a similar character flaw and
need to ameliorate this trait before my friends find me insufferable.
Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964, we are inundated every
day with heart-wrenching stories of inequality and prejudice.
Your book reminds us that good coexists with evil, giving us
hope for a more equitable future. Thank you for writing this
timeless classic.
Sincerely,
Daniel Le
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National Winners and Honorable Mentions >> Level 2 National Honorable Mention: Daniel Le
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