To Kill A Mockingbird

        Harper Lee's book To Kill a Mockingbird taught profound lessons about morality and human dignity. The story was set in a time period when prejudice was out of control, yet it still managed to highlight the power of empathy and courage through the challenging of injustice. The book, for context, is narrated by Scout Finch.

        One thing that really resonated with me was Atticus Finch's (Scout's father) commitment to justice. In my opinion, he is a beacon of morals in the story. By teaching Scout and Jem (his children) the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it isn't as popular. He defended a black man, though uncommon, who was wrongfully accused in court not because he thought he could win the case, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. This is a reminder that sometimes, the right thing comes with a cost, and takes a sense of raw integrity and strength to stick to your morals in certain situations. Morals are the basis for our actions, and being able to stick to our morals is vital for growth spiritually and in our souls.

        Atticus additionally teaches his morals to his children, specifically Scout as that who does the reflecting. Once Atticus told Scout that a person's conscience doesn't abide by a majority rule. This was a powerful statement that stuck out to me. It posed a challenge to listen to our inner voice. Regardless of societal pressures. In a world where it's easy to follow the herd, Atticus is encouraging us to be brave and perhaps break free from the herd. This, in my opinion, was a major theme of the story. We have come to desire to fit in. To disregard our values to be recognized by society. To Kill a Mockingbird aims to open our eyes and show that we need to remain true to ourselves, assuming we desire to be at peace with ourselves when we're older.

         In reflecting on this theme, one can realize how important it is for us to develop our moral compass. We cannot constantly rely on what others say is right or wrong; we need to be able to look within ourselves and make those decisions. Just like Atticus, we can strive to be a force for good in our communities, regardless of the challenges that we may need to face. It is a lesson that is not just relevant to the story, but our lives especially today.

~Daniel Irudayaraj