THIS WEEK’S WINNER
Angela Yusingco is a 17- year-old high school senior at Assumption College, San Lorenzo Makati. She enjoys watching NBA games, movies and the TV series, Chuck with her brother. She and her mom love discovering new hole-in-the-wall restaurants and telling random stories to each other. Her dad tells her funny stories about his childhood and high school days which drive her nuts.
She is a free spirit who laughs away problems. She tries to live by Doctor Seuss’ words, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
No, the book I am writing about is not focused on a gigantic, drooling, evil, green-eyed monster where an armed hero tries to slay it. In fact, I am writing about a book which taught me that such monster unknowingly lives within all of us. Whoever thought that a school required reading assignment would open my eyes to life’s reality? To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee was a book I had to read during my third year in high school. Honestly in the beginning, I was not thrilled to read it. Maybe I was just lazy or too preoccupied, but eventually I tried reading the first few pages of the book. I immediately thought it was just one of those ordinary long novels, and I thought to myself, I was right, until I found myself drawn to it.
To Kill A Mockingbird is a novel about a young girl named Scout, who discovers life through her father’s words of wisdom, adventures with her brother and through the gossip and rumors spread by the townfolk in her town — Maycomb, Alabama. Believe me that the rumors spread in this town are queer. One gossip which I find quite peculiar is about a malevolent phantom — a monster thought to be living within their town. This monster was even given the name Boo. To the curiosity of Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill, together they embark on several escapades, which include sneaking out of their houses just to see for themselves the monster neighbor. Because of these, sometimes scary and exciting adventures, Scout realizes important lessons in life, lessons I believe everyone should learn and emulate.
If I were living in a tired old town like Maycomb where gossip is the favorite pastime, I think that I would eventually succumb to the eagerness and desperation of trying to see Boo for myself. I mean, who would not want to see a real life monster, a six-and-a half feet tall man with a scar face, rotten yellow jagged teeth, popping eyes, who eats cats and squirrels — giving him bloodstained hands? Maybe those afraid would not dare but as for me, I wish I could. However, I had a change of heart when I read through the words of Atticus, Scout’s father. His words inspired me and truly changed my perspective of people. I quote him verbatim, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view — until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” These words have been imprinted in my mind and heart, so much so that I even memorized it. It taught me that never should we assume or judge people by how they look or what is being said about them. This is probably the most important lesson in life this book has imparted to me.
This novel I could say is truly fantastic not only for its creative way of using a young child as the narrator, but also because of the interesting and worthy characters present in it. The characters teach me lessons in life and are all so different from one another, giving the story a more fascinating plot. For instance, there is Dill, a child who is trying to escape reality by telling lies; Aunt Alexandra, a one-track minded woman; The Ewells, a family the laws are bent for, and The Radleys, known for not socializing with the community and also happens to be the family which Boo belongs to. But of all the characters present, I really admire Atticus for the wisdom and courage he embodies and tries to impart to his children and the town.
Atticus Finch is a father of two and the town lawyer who is tasked to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro accused of rape. Atticus knew from the start that it was a lost case due to the fact that his client was a black man and he knew how people during their time looked down on colored folks. However, he never gives up on Tom. He tells his daughter who asks him if he was going to win it, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win”. His words of courage serve as my inspiration in life. Knowing fully well that life is not a piece of cake, I take his words within me and always remember to try and set aside fear before giving up.
This book helped me understand the paradigm of society. It showed me that there will always be a sector of people who will succeed in life, be average folks and those that will be looked down upon. To Kill A Mockingbird opened my eyes to life’s reality of how sometimes we subconsciously judge others based on how they look, speak, their choice of religion, social stature or even because of their preferences and interests. Because of these judgmental thoughts, a monster is born in us. And it continuously grows whenever we stereotype others. It feeds on discriminating thoughts that bring others down for the pleasure it gives to those who think they are more superior than the rest.
Through this book, I journeyed with Scout in her search for truth. Together with her, I learned that people, young or old, should never be victims of harsh rumors and criticism. Never should we fall into society’s ways of thinking that stereotype others. I realized once again through Atticus’s words that shooting mockingbirds is a sinful act, for these birds bring nothing but joyous melodies to people. They are merely innocent creatures created for people to enjoy. But most importantly, mockingbirds represent innocent people in society who like Boo were looked down upon one way or the other.
I know that today, the modern world is fast growing and changing. New technologies are being discovered, new ways and methods of doing things, basically everything new is the way to go. Maybe things do change but I know for certain that one thing should not. And that is character. Sometimes or oftentimes, we see ourselves talking about people in our conversations and we start belittling them. Well, this book has showed me, that it’s never too late to change and start again. It is difficult to turn away from our old ways but allowing change to happen is worth a try. Because I have been trying and now I think I am succeeding in becoming the hero that I am. I finally know how to slay the monster within me.