When Leticia Harshman was a freshman at Pine-Richland High School, she knew she wanted to be a teacher someday.
And when she read Harper Lee's ever-relevant novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” that year, she couldn't wait to teach future generations about the book that she and others call “a work of art.”
“It reminds us of our flaws and our mistakes,” said Harshman, a language arts teacher at Pine-Richland for 14 years. “It reminds us that we don't know people until we step into their shoes and walk around in them for a while. It's such a poignant message, and I think kids get that.”
Fifty-six years after publication, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is still taught and studied at virtually every high school in America.
For good reason, say teachers and literary experts: The novel explores themes — including racism, justice, and the journey from childhood to adulthood — that are identifiable to people of all ages and backgrounds.
“The themes are timeless,” said Charlie Long, the head of the English department at Allderdice High School. “The book deals with heavy societal issues that are difficult to talk about, but issues we need to talk about. That's why we're still reading it today.”
When Long read it as a student, the character of Boo Radley resonated with him, he said. For most of the book, the reclusive neighbor was nothing more than a sinister shadow, a frightening presence in the young minds of Scout, the narrator, and her brother, Jem.
“For people who are alienated by society, who live in the margins, the character of Boo Radley is interesting,” Long said. “He's marginalized, an outsider, but he still plays an important role in the lives of the children (and) ultimately saves Jem's life. You expect Boo Radley to be a villain, but he ends up being a hero.
“It's a hopeful view for people who are not ‘normal.' … It's a complex novel with really complex ideas.”
Lori Jakiela, a writing professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Greesnburg, said Lee's narrative voice assures that the novel will stay relevant.
“It's such a human book; she still speaks to us,” Jakiela said. “We still need that sense of humanity and compassion and understanding she brings because today we have such a lack of all of those things. Everybody should be reading this book every week to remind us that this is what we are about, or what we are supposed to be about.”
Added Stephanie Flom, executive director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures: “It was the book that was read throughout the Civil Rights movement. It's a cultural touch point many of us are connected with. You don't have to be a Southerner to appreciate it.”
Readers of all ages adore the book, Harshman said, but Lee makes an effort to connect with younger readers from the opening line by identifying Scout as the narrator: “When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.”
Scout is a contemporary, Harshman said, a young person trying to figure out the world, just as students do now and always will.
“It's a book about perspective and patience, a book about love and loss, and that's why I teach it every year,” she said. “And it reminds us that even a child can recognize when something is amiss.”
Chris Togneri is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-380-5632 or ctogneri@tribweb.com.
