I ordered my copy of Harper Lee's parent novel, "Go Set a Watchman" the day it was announced on-line. My bookshop, Benn's Books in Bentleigh created a pre-order list and I was their first customer. The countdown to publication was July 14th 2015 and I could not wait to read it as I, like millions of other readers adored "To Kill A Mockingbird" and the anticipation was building momentum.
There were many articles in the Australian press as well as on-line. Sometimes it felt as if the marketing and the stories would over shadow the new book. This would not deter my resolve in devouring "Go Set a Watchman."
In my review of "Go Set a Watchman" I will discuss my experiences and aspects that you may wish to consider when you read the book. I will not be re-telling the story though I will warn the reader that I will provide spoilers. This is unlike many articles and reviews that I read after the book was published where they did not warn the reader they would provide spoilers. Major spoilers too!
July 14th is the height of summer in the northern hemisphere and is a good time to release a holiday book. A great marketing coup with subliminal memories of the hot summer days and nights reminiscent from "To Kill A Mockingbird."
There were so many articles written before the book was officially published announcing how the book was found. They used the words "discovered" and "re-discovered" on many occasions in the articles. The New York Times put out an article questioning how the book was found. Later the lawyer wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal with her explanation of how the book was found.
Such a coincidence that also on this date the lawyer alluded to a possible third book. Shock horror! What timing to enhance even further book sales, and to anticipate the public's need for a future product.
In some articles in the Australian press the word "rediscovery" is used many times. This "rediscovery" appears as if it is from the book. Do check out a line in the book on pages 32-33 which I felt is a Freudian slip of the "re-discovery" of the book."Jean Louise had lost touch with nearly everything she grew up with and did not wish particularly to rediscover the companions of her adolescence".
I am very suspicious about the timing of the finding of the book. What is also fascinating is that Harper Lee's sister, who was her official guardian is no longer on the scene to protect her interests. Where there is a will there is a way! Or a relative! Or lawyers who will always benefit in any legal claims to an estate.
Check out what the New York Times had to say in an article entitled "The Harper Lee 'Go Set a Watchman' Fraud" as I had my suspicions months before.
I loved "Go Set a Watchman" and agree it is very clunky, meandering and disjointed at times. Though I think it is a richer book than "To Kill A Mockingbird" for many reasons which will be outlined in my assessment. Yes it is not a great book, but it is better than many reviewers have described it. Not one of the reviews or articles I have read have discussed things as I will.
The book is set in about 1955 and is generally written in the third person. There are times when we read the first person thoughts of Scout who is referred to as the adult Jean Louise Finch.
The major conflict is two fold: Jean Louise returns to her home town from New York City and deals with her past memories of her father and with Henry (Hank) her boyfriend. These two plots run in parallel. The ultimate conflict is with herself and how she deals with other people and her return to Maycomb County.
I wondered how Jem died? We also wonder why has Atticus changed his views? Or has he? Will Jean Louis get married?
The first mini climax is when Jean Louis finds a pamphlet. The major climax is the confrontation with Atticus which occurs after a building climax where Jean Louise visits a retired and ageing Calpurnia. Another building climax is when Jean Louise has an argument with Hank.
There are more themes in "Go Set A Watchman" which I think makes it a richer book. The major theme is the coming of age of Jean Louise, who finds her adult voice.
There are many motifs used throughout "Go Set A Watchman". These motifs can be divided into those that:
The bees, honey and insects images are repeated.
The book wavers between reminiscing about Jean Louise's childhood and the present day of 1955.
This is achieved via the use of differences and opposites. This evokes competition and battles and heightens the emotional connection to the reader, which is why I use word "versus" at times.
The childhood memories of her brother Jem and the loss of innocence.
The trash image is both a status symbol and an image as Harper Lee uses this device to compare and contrast the status of a person in Maycomb.
Many images are created throughout the novel.
Summer nights and the weather of Maycomb.
Honey - both the smell, taste and texture of honey is a recurring image. The image of honey links to the bee and insects recurring throughout. The name Honey or Honey Bee are Southern names.
Take note how Aunt Alexandra will start a sentence with the sweetener of gaining attention "Honey" and provide compliments and then finish with her sting of the bee by way of a derisive comment. She has extracted a reaction (the goodness or pollen) from Jean Louise.
The carload of Negroes are also referred to as "like a giant black bee whooshed by them and careened around the curve ahead." Again in the few lines it is the image of the sweetness of the bee's honey and then the final sting of what could happen: "It's just too sad."
Tracks is another recurring image from page one where Jean Louise describes her train journey from New York to Maycomb. The tracks imagery represents so many different images from the physical railway perspective to the journey of a person's life. Harper Lee frequently uses images associated with tracks throughout the book: railway, road, gravel, paved and saw mill tracks. Trash is also a phrase that refers to the wrong side of the tracks.
We see the story of Jean Louise in a non chronological order with all of the major biological periods of a person's life shown through her eyes. These include her place of birth, childhood home, becoming a teenager, learning about the facts of life, her first kiss, a pregnancy, a courtship, marriage proposal, an attempted suicide, dealing with ageing relatives, losing physical ability. We also learn about the life cycle with both the death of her mother and her brother Jem. In fact the final page even refers to a possible after life (or the "Unknown" from the Johari Window):
"Somebody walked over my grave, she thought, probably Jem on an idiotic errand"
Images of hearts appear regularly throughout the book. Jean Louise represents the heartbeat and the soul of "Go Set A Watchman." Her thoughts, feelings and behaviours generate the ups and downs of her pulsating and passionate emotions. Her heart is broken throughout and is similar to having a quadruple by-pass with her observations and realisations. At the end she is recovering from her emotional heart surgery of returning to Maycomb.
Jem has died from a heart condition inherited from his mother, but there is an ambiguous line that could also mean the Jem died doing something courageous or valiant or honourable.
Atticus asks Jean Louise on page 239 "When you start using your head, what did you think?" which tacitly refers to her heart. This represent the heart of emotion and compassion versus head of reason and logic.
The heart is a symmetrical symbol of balance. The star sign Libra uses the scales as symbol, as the scales are also the symbol for the legal system or justice. Again the heart image itself is the balance of the heart versus the head.
The heart image represents heartbeat and soul of Jean Louise. At times it is as if she is having a heart aches and during the climatic scenes it is as if she is having a heart attack of passionate emotions.
Insects:
Insects and bugs repeat throughout with bees, cockroaches, slugs, spiders and crickets. We even have the ladies at the "coffee" event referred to as magpies. Harper Lee uses the big versus the small with the insects analogy here as the magpies will devour the insects, or as in the "coffee" they will devour all of the gossip that is presented to them. I think Harper Lee is juxtaposing her imagery calling the ladies magpies when she really is really saying that are leeches on society. She compares William Willoughy "like a great dropsical gray slug".
On page 143 Jean Louise finds a cricket and reveals her maternal instinct "Go home to your mamma." It is also the image of the big protecting the small and vulnerable .
The image of the insects being eaten by the larger birds is similar to the vulnerable being taken advantage of. Jean Louise is trying to protect the interests of the Negroes.
Trash:
Trash versus treasure is a regular comparison that Harper Lee refers to. Though Harper Lee may not use Trash and Treasure together specifically, she is referring to the comparison of who is trash to those who are not trash. On page 37 alone there are at least five repetitions of the word "trash" which is similar to the way Agatha Christie would use repetition from a Neuro-Linguistic Programming perspective to develop a trance like state. his also links to the image of tracks and those who are not appropriate are from the wrong side of the tracks. Harper Lee does use the image of the treasure trove on page 53.
In discussions with Hester on page 177 Jean Louise refers to the historical irony that "That's odd. A hundred years ago the gentlemen had coloured women, now the trash have them." This is a beautiful reverse description of what was once trash is now their treasure.
Jean Louise recalls the black people in her life including Zeebo is a garbage collector (page 178). Note that she does not call them Negroes and did not put them on the scrap heap: "Never did I learnt to think in terms of The Niggers."
Time:
The passage of time is represented by Jean Louise recalling her childhood and her return to Maycomb. Aunt Alexandra and the generation gap with Jean Louise highlights the differences in Victorian behaviour and the 1950's more open behaviour.
Take note of how many characters are given a specific age. Atticus is 72 and Jean Louise is 26. There may be others that have a specific age and a re-read may reveal this information.
Time is a described on pages 115 with many examples. Harper Lee also details the ages at which certain events occurred including birth of Jem and Scout, and the death of Atticus's wife. Harper Lee then goes on to offer the challenges of ageing and time with Atticus. earlier on page 105 we learnt that Atticus was sitting at the same table as William Willoughby and had "scarcely gave him the time of day."
Ageing is revealed throughout so many images of Atticus's arthritis, Aunt Alexandra's corsets, Uncle Jack's cane, Calpurnia's greying (gray) hair. We also encounter the ladies of Maycomb County at a coffee event and Jean Louise takes note of the changes in her school colleagues.
This observations of time and age occurs to stir the emotions of Jean Louise. Her father calls her by her childhood name of Scout which stung as another bee sting. Staring into the mirror she makes a comparison to Dorian Gray. She laments about marriage "I'll be ninety and then it'll be too late." Age and time are bubbling away within Jean Louise until the conclusion where her time has come. She has matured and become totally independent of thoughts and actions with her father.
As people age, they can become set in their ways and become more conservative. This is something that Jean Louise sees in her father and maybe is seeing herself in the future.
Observations:
Dill is referred to as being in Italy. His character is fleshed out in more detail in "To Kill A Mockingbird." The Dill character is based on Truman Capote who was Harper Lee's childhood friend. Dill tells Jean Louise as a child "Scout, you always have to be second-best. I never am second best." Is this also a hint of the competition between Harper Lee and Truman Capote? It may be a reason why Harper Lee never wanted to have this book published.
On page 71 Harper Lee reveals that Dill was not told of Jem's death. Is this a dig at Truman Capote too?
As "Go Set a Watchman" was written first, there are no major childhood memories relating to Boo Radley. It begs the question if this book were fully edited would these gaps be filled in?
If "To Kill A Mockingbird" is the loss of innocence from a child's perspective then "Go Set a Watchman" is the curse, pregnancy and jilted wedding of social manners, morals and hypocrisy.
Tainted:
The timing of the book's release has sadly been tainted by biased viewpoints from many sides of the political spectrum. The timing of the book's release came shortly after the Confederate Flag had been lowered in Charleston, South Carolina.
There was also the violent protests in Australia by "Reclaim Australia", the Socialists and the "No Room For Racists" groups.
The perspective of political allegiance will bias a person's reading of the book (including mine some will say!) I think sadly they miss the point of Atticus and listening to all sides and to allow for freedom of speech and freedom of thought.
So much for respect and dignity and freedom of speech!
Atticus:
Atticus Finch is still a hero, albeit human rather than a godlike man put on a pedestal. I adore him for his pursuit for freedom of speech and freedom of thought, and more so for his willingness to listen to other people's perspectives. Too often people deny others a voice and do not listen. I do not condone racism and do not want my words to be sullied from the clear message of providing justice to all people. The main message to me is Atticus represents respecting the freedom of speech and freedom of thought for all.
My satirical quote is "Freedom of speech is for those who agree with me!"
Educational dilemmas:
This new book provides educators of English and American Literature many dilemmas. These include:
Do you study and read both books?
Which book do you study first?
Do you read the books in order of writing?
Do you read the books in order of publication?
Do you compare and contrast the books?
Do you allow students to reference between the books?
Do the study guides now change their views about "To Kill A Mockingbird"?
Another way of looking at similar questions: is do you read the parent or the child first?
How are each of the books "poly-fillers" for each other?
How can you not talk of one book without the other?
What happens if students study one book and make reference to the other?
What about the students in the past who were berated or even failed for suggesting ideas about "To Kill A Mockingbird" that have now been revealed in "Go Set A Watchman"?
Chapter observations:
The following are observations that I made reading the chapters of the book. Not every chapter is represented. Some, not all information may be duplicated from previous sections.
Chapter 1:
This chapter was released the weekend prior to publication of the book. I read it three times - in fact devoured it and researched so many aspects of this first chapter. This was building even more momentum for the book's publication.
I found the first chapter had two different styles of writing. The opening third was very descriptive while I felt the later two thirds were more succinct and punchier.
The opening section draws us to the image of the trains and the train tracks - which is the both the journey of Jean Louise to her home town of Maycomb and the beginning of the journey of learning of her life.
On page three and four Harper Lee provides descriptions of the landscape, particularly the Chattahoochee river. In the following paragraph on page five she refers to Sidney Lanier, who was a poet and wrote about the Chattahoochee river. He also wrote two poems called "The Mocking-Bird" and "To Our Mocking-Bird." Did these poems inspire Harper Lee to write these books?
Harper Lee, in "Go Set a Watchman" on page four compares the poet, Sidney Lanier to Cousin Joshua Singleton St. Clair who is mentioned in some detail in Chapter 13 (page 176) of "To Kill A Mockingbird." Was Cousin Joshua based on this poet?
Further information on page five of "Go Set A Watchman" provides us with another clue that Cousin Joshua may not just look like another poet Algernon Swinburne but also have had a similar lifestyle to this poet. It is worthwhile to compare the similarities in their characters,as Cousin Joshua "went around the bend at University" while Algernon Swinburne was rusticated from his university. Both went into care, either privately for Algernon at 39 and state accommodation for Cousin Joshua.
The age 39 is also significant, I will have to reread the book as I think Cousin Joshua died at 39. (
Check if Cousin Joshua died at 39)
Atticus fills in background information about Cousin Joshua on page four that Cousin Joshua had "studies too hard and thought to much; in fact he read himself right out of the nineteenth century". The poet, Algernon Swinburne died at 72 years of age, coincidently Atticus is 72 in "Go Set A Watchman."
It is as if Cousin Joshua could be based on both Sidney Lanier and Algernon Swinburne.
Chapter 3:
There is more back story to each of the characters. This is evident when we learn details about how Atticus' sister Alexandra comes to live with the family. This is not detailed in "To Kill A Mockingbird."
In this chapter Jean Louise also makes observations of her past and compares them to her present and future. This is another example of the differences and comparisons sub theme which builds tension slowly in the reader, but is bubbling away in Jean Louise's journey of self discovery.
On page 30 we learn about the first hint at the autobiographical nature of the book where Harper Lee writes about Jean Louise s first inclination as a writer. Jean Louise is disgusted with Aunt Alexandra's comments and we realise differences are two-fold: the generational gap and that Jean Louise is the one who thinks about writing and the writer.
Aunt Alexandra rubs salt into Jean Louise's wounds with berating her dress sense, raising guilty memories of Jem's death and highlights the differences with such remarks as "I thought you would, dear" in a predictable manner. It is the predictability of a once familiar Maycomb is in conflict with the new found unpredictability of Maycomb and its residents.
This chapter highlights differences between Jean Louise and Aunt Alexandra with examples of religious and moral overtones, including references to Jehovah and "Oh Lord, why didn't you gives us tongues to explain to Aunt Alexandra?"
Chapter 6:
Difference emerge as truth versus rumour when Aunt Alexandra challenging Jean Louise with the midnight swim with Hank. Atticus also shows the differences theme with his cold milk to Jean Louise's coffee. Atticus shows his tolerance of Jean Louise's decision making but also juxtaposes this
with the child time-management reminder "You'd better get ready for Sunday School."
Page 89 alerts us to a possible clues the poet referred to in Chapter One. Harper Lee appears to have a passion for Victorian literature and references to
Mackworth Praed. Wikipedia writes that
Mackworth Praed's verses "abounded in allusions to the character and the follies of the day." Maybe this was inspiration to Harper Lee when writing "Go Set a Watchman" with both her characters and the follies of the day in Maycomb.
Chapter 7:
Differences are highlighted between the Victorian behaviour of Aunt Alexandra and the trash of Hank when he winks at Scout in church and Aunt Alexandra "looked blue murder."
The essence of the book's title is revealed in the sermon "Go Set a Watchman, let him declare what he seeth." The next paragraph expands with Jean Louise's attempt to see things from another perspective. This is a major struggle in understanding other people's reasons for thoughts and actions.
Differences are also highlighted in the way the music is played in the church. Jean Louise is sensitive to Maycomb from each of her senses. The music being played differently is sacrilege to her expectations. The music instructor is from New Jersey which is another example of highlighting differences. Each of these differences builds in Jean Louise and the tension is palpable. There is a reference to
"Rock of Ages" from 1955 which is not the modern day musical from 2009.
Difference examples include the Methodist versus Church of England, or the American compared to the English. The subtle difference of sexuality is revealed in Jean Louise observing both Herbert and her uncle. There is a realisation made Jean Louise as she looks at her uncle "who was looking like
Theobold Pontifex." Herbert outlines that "He was a sort of a sissy," which is another difference to build tension. Being a sissy in a small town compared to being a full blooded man in the 1950's would be suicide. This could be the sudden realisation that Jean Louise has about her uncles' sexuality. Could this be the father and daughter novel that Harper Lee wanted to write to highlight hypocrisy and to compare to Samuel Butler's "
The Way of the Flesh"?
Chapter 8:
Jean Louise finds the pamphlet "The Black Plague" that enrages her and changes her perspective of her father. The image of trash versus treasure occurs as Jean Louise wants to throw the pamphlet in the garbage can.
The first reference to the rape case from "To Kill A Mockingbird" is made in scant detail.
Chapter 10:
The first time Harper Lee allows us inside the first person of Jean Louise's thoughts was on page 119. Maybe a second read will alter this fact. It is also revealed that Jean Louise was born colour blind which is two fold: physically and racially.
Fear as a sub theme rises again here with Jean Louise's school yard version of sex education. She has a fear that she could be pregnant for nine months. She has thoughts of suicide and Hank saves her at the water tank. This fear of being pregnant and the attempted suicide balance the cycle of life. It is as if the potential suicide attempt was a self imposed abortion.
Chapter 11:
Tears welled up in my eyes as Jean Louise talks with Calpurnia, It was like a home coming for me as a reader to be reunited with an old and trusted companion. I laughed so much reading parts of this chapter until the crunch came in the conversation. Again this was an example of the honey sweetener to entice and lure the reader into the story and then the sting with Calpurnia's reaction.
There is a lovely juxtaposition of wisdom when Calpurnia on page 137 tells Scout "With all your book learning', you are the most ignorant child I ever did see...." Wisdom and being street smart has no barriers for any colour, race or religious.
This chapter also reveals the time versus age sub theme when Calpurnia tells Jean Louise on page 138 "You sort of haven't caught up with yourself ... now if you had been raised on a farm you'd know it all before you could walk, or if there had been any women around - if your mamma had lived you'da known it -" This is building to the final chapter of Jean Louise understanding her coming of age.
Differences theme is raised in many ways on page 138 alone. There is the difference of minding your own business, other people's concerns and contradictions. Harper Lee has Calpurnia also explaining to Scout the various reasons why people get married. Calpurnia alludes to "shot gun weddings" tacitly as Scout had come to her thinking that she was pregnant.
Calpurnia's sage advise is also what Atticus had said to Scout in "To Kill A Mockingbird" of minding your own business "Don't you study other folk's business till you take care of your own."
Differences abound in the book with Jean Louise thinking about how "The course of English Literature would have been decidedly different had Mr. Wordsworth owned a power mower, she thought." Jean Louise also notes that Aunt Alexandra appearance and feelings "...she had no makeup and it made no difference. I wonder if she has ever really felt anything in her life."
Aunt Alexandra's stinging attacks have a double edged sword when she confronts Jean Louise mowing the lawn barefoot. "Honestly, the way you behave sometimes, anybody'd think you were behind the pale." This is another example of both differences in behaviour and trash versus treasure.
Chapter 12:
Jean Louise goes to visit Calpurnia, who is now retired. Again there is the honey sweetener followed by the sting of Calpurnia's comments.
From a Johari Window perspective, Jean Louise's blindspot is shattered by Calpurnia's reactions. There is a heated exchange and Calpurnia asks "What are you all doing to us?" Jean Louise confronts Calpurnia "Did you hate us?" The Johari Window is used to build relationships through trust and sharing. In this scene Jean Louise loses the trust in one of her few mentors.
Chapter 13:
Jean Louise has major realisations within herself and her relationship with others "Something has happened to me, it's something wrong about me" she thinks on page 167. These realisations increase
Jean Louise observes the behaviour of the ladies of Maycomb at the Coffee morning. She later acknowledges feeling "lonely, for entirely different reasons, but it feels the same doesn't it?"
The realisation of potentially marrying Hank would mean marrying Maycomb, the ladies groups and the expected patterns of behaviour. "It takes a lot of what i don't have to be a member of this wedding." This horror cements her observations and resolve to divorce herself from Maycomb.
We learnt on page 13 that Jem had died "dropped dead in his tracks" and it is on pages 30 and 31 that we learn more of his death. Though it is not until page 115 where some descriptions had to be read a few times to ensure understanding. Was it a heart attack that killed Jem or was it his kind heart in some undisclosed act that killed him. The specifics seem vague on purpose on the first reading. It seems that Harper Lee was teasing the reader to read on. It prompted me to consider which it could be. The actual heart condition is
confirmed later on page ......
Jean Louise struggles in understanding other people's points of reference and ways of thinking "we both went to the same schools, we were taught the same things. I wonder what you saw and heard."
The first use of the word "mistrust" appears on page 176. Interestingly it is used twice on this page to emphasise the point. Jean Louise has lost faith and mistrusts others. It also reveals her mistrust in her feelings towards Henry.
In discussions with Hester on page 177 Jean Louise defends by acknowledging that she was brought up differently and has a different perspective "I guess it was because I wasn't brought up hearing it."
The wedding theme rises again with Jean Louise yearning for New York City. She also reveals her internal struggles "but we do ask you to conduct yourself within the rules that those who know have laid down for your behavior, and don't try to be anything else."
There are many examples of themes of suspicion, hate, learned behaviours,manners and trash throughout this chapter. Overriding all of these is the theme of differences in all of these examples.
Jean Louise defends her upbringing and moral stance as she gives herself as an example of the "mongrelized race" as "That is the way I was raised by a black woman and a white man." Jean Louise's voice is growing stronger and gaining resolve in her beliefs.
Harper Lee combines the two images of honey and religion in her description of Jean Louise in New York City on page 180. Again this is an example of the honey as the sweetener with the sting at the end "You may reach out and embrace all of Manhattan in sweet aloneness, or you can go to hell if you want to."
Jean Louise points out to Claudine the manners of Maycomb and Manhattan "They have manners, Claudine. They're just different from ours." The discussion gives other examples of differences and assimilation of the various cultures into Manhattan compared to the parochial nature of Maycomb.
Jean Louise conclude the chapter with her thoughts making reference to the watchman. It is as if Jean Louise is praying with her pleas of understanding different perspectives and compassion. In this Harper Lee has Jean Louise repeating the word "Stone" three times in one line, let alone in the paragraph. This links back to the "sticks and stones" image.
Chapter 14:
Jean Louise visits Uncle Jack and he feeds his cat making a digging comment about the manners of humans. "I hope I've taught her manners." The comparison of animals with humans is another example of differences, plus an observation of the evolution of the human race.
Uncle Jack provides an example of individuality to Jean Louise. We are introduced to yet another religious denomination of not only the Catholics but more specifically the Roman Catholics and the Church of England. More so, Uncle Jack sees how Jean Louise is searching and uses this example to assist in her understanding differences "Trying to find another one like him. Highly significant." This could also be Uncle Jack outing his sexuality to Jean Louise.
There is a revealing and possibly an autobiographical paragraph in how Harper Lee interweaves many threads together in "Go Set a Watchman" in this quote from page 186:
"Jean Louise was accustomed to her uncle's branch of intellectual shorthand: it was his custom to state one or two isolated facts, and a conclusion seemingly unsupported thereby. Slowly and surely, if prodded correctly, Dr. Finch would unwind the reel of his strange lore to reveal reasoning that glittered with a private life of its own."
Uncle Jack and Jean Louise have lunch. He prods her for her problems. The question of Jean Louise being pregnant is raised and the ensuing conversation leads to him laughing . This is the second time in the book where Jean Louise is laughed at after pregnancy is raised. Firstly with Calpurnia as child and now with Uncle Jack. The conversation with Calpurnia led to being told the truth about the "Facts of Life" and now Uncle Jack is setting Jean Louise straight with Atticus attending a meeting: "You're making a big mistake if you think your daddy's dedicated to keeping the Negroes in their places." (page 189)
Uncle Jack tells Jean Louise honestly that "You've never opened your eyes." He is telling her that she does not see other people's perspectives and seen the history of the south. "I want to tell you something and see if you can hook it all together. It's this: what was incidental to the issue in our War Between the States is incidental to the issue in the war we're in now, and incidental to the issue in your own private war. Now think it over and tell me what you think I mean."
Harper Lee brings back the pregnancy image and relates it to the bigger picture when Uncle Jack describes "Human birth is most unpleasant. It's messy, it's extremely painful, sometimes it's a risky thing. It is always bloody. So it is with civilization." (page 199)
The heart image returns in the way of a broken heart. This is the first time the heart has been described as broken or divided as in "when your heart is in two, you must come to me." (page 202)
Chapter 15:
Jean Louise goes to the Cunningham Ice Cream Shop that is located on her old home site. She ponders the Finch family and recalls some of her teenage years as fourteen year old. She remembers a dance and her embarrassing dress incident.
We learn that Jean Louise was fond of Victorian poetry and detective novels. This fills in gaps to the earlier poetry references in "Go Set a Watchman" and, to the childhood detective adventures with Dill and Jem seeking out Boo Radley in "To Kill A Mockingbird."
The honey image of the sweetener returns when Hank tries to assist Jean Louise with her dress. The sting of the reality of the situation comes at the end "Look at your front."
Harper Lee provides background to the school principal and how he compares the students to variations on the trash image.
There is the issue with Jean Louise's false tits for her dress and Henry seeks Atticus's advice who "always tried to put himself in his client's shoes..." on page 224.
The religious image of hell is raised on page 225. As does the threads of time and what is home.
Chapter 16:
Hank calls Jean Louise "sweetie" which is part of the honey thread. The sting will come later on page 227 and this time it is Jean Louise who provides the climatic sting to Hank with her refusal to marry.
On page 229 Hank reverts to calling Jean Louise honey. The sting occurs throughout the scene with the sugar bowl being pushed back and forth across the table. Finally the sugar bowl is banged on the table like a gavel to gain Jean Louise's attention to listen to what Hank has to explain to her. Not only has the sugar bowl moved as has their relationship.
Hank explains why Atticus joined the Klan to see from another person's perspective, or put himself in their shoes and "To find out exactly what men in town were behind the masks." (page 229) and "A man can condemn his enemies, but it's wiser to know them" (page 230)
From page 230 Hank uses "honey" a numerous times and there will be several stings to Jean Louise. The repetition of both honey and trust occur a few times on this page as if honey will stick to those who stick together. "A man can appear to be a part of something not-so-good on its face, but don't take it upon yourself to judge him unless you know his motives as well."
The salt shaker is moved. This relates to the image of salt and the wounds that thread throughout the book. Hank's other sting is telling Jean Louise that she is a Finch compared to him being considered trash no what he did. This is not a sting of the honey bee but the torture of rubbing salt into someone's wounds. Jean Louise has suffered the wounds of returning to Maycomb.
There is a rising climax of stinging retorts for Hank from Jean Louise. This culminates in her acknowledging 'Hank, we are poles apart. I don't know much but I know one thing. I know I can't live with you. I cannot live with a hypocrite."
Atticus has heard the end of their altercation and responds highlighting a different perspective.
Chapter 17:
On page 236 there are funereal images of roses, the location of Jem's death and a shudder which relates to the life cycle thread. Atticus advises "Bury your dead, Jean Louise."
Her reply can mean two things and I think she wants to move away from Maycomb rather than move away to continue this discussion. This is another example of ambiguity to get us thinking about differences.
This is the climax scene between Jean Louise and Atticus. There are many examples of differences throughout this chapter. On page 238 many sentences have differences, comparisons or opposites within the structure of each sentence. In fact most of their discussion has this structure of banter. Atticus highlights similarities with "Now that I've adjusted my ear to feminine reasoning, I think we find ourselves believing the very same things."
On page 242 Harper Lee finally acknowledges the bee's sting with "He had stung her, and she had shown him she felt it. But she could not help herself."
Atticus also shows Jean Louise that she can be hypocritical with her thinking "You slang the Supreme Court within an inch of its life, then you turn around and talk like the NAACP."
Atticus corrects Jean Louise with her understanding of history: "It might benefit you to go back and have a look at some of our founding fathers really believed, instead of relying so much on what people these days tell you to they believed." (page 244)
Examples of differences are prevalent in this chapter as the climax of the book.
On page 248 Jean Louise repeats the phrase 'now it's coming home to you.." This is telling as it is really coming home to Jean Louise that she has found her adult voice and independence but she does not know this as yet.
Atticus calls Jean Louise "baby" for the first time on page 250. This appears to be done on purpose as he is trying to gain her attention of why he allowed Mr O'Hanlon to speak at a meeting. Atticus was trying to get Jean Louise to understand about freedom of speech and the importance to listen to other people's perspectives.
The final sequence subsides momentarily with hope in Jean Louise's responses. The final sting is when Atticus says to her "Well, I love you." This is the ultimate sweetener of honey and a sting all in one line. This climaxes with Jean Louise leaving Atticus.
Chapter 18:
This chapter culminates with so many images coming to together at a crashing pace. There are so many images overlapping each other.
Returning to pack her bags, Aunt Alexandra talks with Jean Louise who makes her cry. Jean Louise apologises and supplies her sting reply "I'm not much of a lady, Aunty, but you are."
On page 262 Jean Louise feels changed after Uncle Jack slaps her and then offers her a drink, "Different, somehow."
Later the phrase "indifferent place" is used for the first time as if to emphasise her change and resolve.
The discussion with Uncle Jack on page 263 uses a re-birthing of Jean Louise with some of the phrases including "to make it easier for you,to give some insight to soften" and "To soften your coming into this world." In fact the word soften is used three times in quick succession as if an anaesthetic for her re-birth of self awareness. Uncle Jack is like the doctor assisting in her birth with his compassion.
Consider that many pregnant women use the phrase "unbearable pain" when giving birth. Harper Lee uses the word "bearable" four times on page 264, again highlighting the re-birthing of Jean Louise. "It's bearable, Jean Louise, because you are your own person." Jean Louise has given birth to her new stronger and wiser self.
Uncle Jack emphasises to "Every man's island, Jean Louise, every man's watchman, is his conscious." which is the culmination of her Uncle Jack pointing out to her what she is struggling to understand about herself. On page 265 the word "conscience" is repeated six times emphasising the growth and self development and coming-of-age for Jean Louise.
Uncle Jack talks to jean Louise and emphasises different stages in her life cycle "born with your own conscience..." and "As you grew up, when you were grown up, totally unknown to yourself, you confused your father with God." Uncle Jack continues with his home truths to Jean Louise and brings in the heart image "You never saw him as a man, with a man's heart, and a man's failings..."
Uncle Jack continues linking the life cycle images with the religious images. "Life became hell on earth for you." The word "kill" is then repeated five times within a few paragraphs and on the same page as "conscience" repeated highlighting religious martyrdom symbolism.
On page 266, hell, gods and other religious images are employed "He was letting you break your own icons one by one. Then are also used before Uncle Jack brings in the stinging reality of "your're a bigot and he's not."
Uncle Jack then provides Jean Louise with the definition of "bigot" and by doing so Harper Lee is highlighting that there is a bit of bigotry in all of us, we are all born the same as equals. Then Uncle Jack links the honey and life cycle images together "You'd better take time for 'em, honey, otherwise you'll never grow."
Uncle Jack is highlighting to Jean Louise about freedom of speech and freedom of thought. "You have a tendency not to give anybody elbow room in your mind for their ideas, no matter how silly they are." and "Good grief, baby, people don't agree with the Klan, but they certainly don't try to prevent them from putting on sheets and making fools of themselves in public."
Atticus has ethics and principles and "The law is what he lives by." and "he'll always do it by the letter and by the spirit of the law. That's the way he lives." (page 268)
Hindsight is easy suggests Uncle Jack compared to living in the moment and being able to read the situation with the ability to hindsight. "Remember this also: it's always easy to look back and see what we were, yesterday, ten years ago. It is hard to see what we are. If you can master that trick, you'll get along."
There are many other examples of Uncle Jack providing counsel to Jean Louise calling her colour blind. This is the essence of Jean Louise's humanity that she sees people and not colour or race. (page 270). Again this page repeats the word difference for emphasise and hypnotic effect.
Finally Harper Lee brings these differences together with "Prejudice, a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, have something in common: they both begin where reason ends." (page 271). Note how she repeats two examples of differences for emphasise; prejudice and faith with dirty and clean.
The image of coming of age and coming home are prominent in this chapter. The word "home" is repeated four times on page 271. It is not just about the physical residential move back to Maycomb, but the mental realisation of ideas coming "home" or dawning on Jean Louise. Harper Lee returns Uncle Jack to "home" also with "Jean Louise grinned. He was becoming Uncle Jack again."
Harper Lee emphasises difference with the use of sides: "If sides the right word." Uncle Jack is highlighting that Maycomb needs Jean Louise's different opinions and thoughts to challenge ideas. "The woods are full of people like you, but we need some more of you."
Uncle Jack also reveals how he loved Jean Louise's mother which comes as another shock to both readers and to Jean Louise.
Harper Lee has Jean Louise ashamed of herself and says "....oh, I could kill myself!" Uncle Jack tells her "I shouldn't do that. There's been enough focal suicide for one day." Both of these lines refer to the life cycle thread and bringing it to closure.
Harper Lee telling reveals the complexity of her story when Jean Louise refers to Uncle Jack as "He was the only person she ever knew who could paraphrase three authors into one sentence and have them all make sense."
Chapter 19:
This is the final chapter only two and a half pages long. From page 276 to 278 this chapter tidies up a few loose ends and also gives us food for thought.
The ending has Jean Louise stronger emotionally and more resilient and respectful for other's opinions while maintaining her own.
The ending is about respecting self and others. It is about respecting difference and is full of hope for the future of humanity and living by the law.
I do not think that Jean Louise married Hank as she took Uncle Jack's advise of declining marriage gently over time.
Overall:
It was a very wise decision for the original editor to send Harper Lee away to rewrite this book from the Scout's childhood perspective. This second book, "Go Set a Watchman" gives more weight to Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" with the awakening of Jean Louise and the realism of becoming an adult rather than the idealised childhood and loss of innocence. Both books have a loss of innocence in different ways.
"Go Set a Watchman" does ramble at times but is richer with its imagery, symbols and motifs.
I think a lot of readers have missed the point of the book - to see things from another's perspective and to ask ourselves the true meaning of what is a bigot.
I loved "Go Set a Watchman" and will read it again and savour the richness of the book. It does not change my admiration and respect for "To Kill A Mockingbird." You can't change any one else's behaviour but yourself. We can all make a difference in accepting others but first we have to accept ourself. Her book is about bridging the gap and uniting differences.
Pick a character and read the book from their perspective and justify their reasons for their believes, feelings and behaviours? For example Atticus, Aunt Alexandra, Uncle Jack, Jean Louise, Jem, Dill etc
What is bias and how is it used by six different characters in "Go Set a Watchman"?
Why will critics, reviewers and educators continue to compare and contrast "To Kill A Mockingbird" with "Go Set a Watchman"?
If there is a third book what do you think happens to the characters and Maycomb?
If you were to write a follow up book to both books what would your message be, the synopsis of the plot and the major theme.
and complete each of the four quadrants when reading "To Kill A Mockingbird" and discover what is known and unknown for two characters one of which is Scout/Jean Louise.
and complete each of the four quadrants when reading "Go Set a Watchman" and discover what is known and unknown for two characters one of which is Scout/Jean Louise.
and complete each of the four quadrants when comparing "To Kill A Mockingbird" to "Go Set a Watchman" and discover what is known and unknown for two characters one of which is Scout/Jean Louise.
I am so glad that I read "To Kill A Mockingbird" first for the loss of innocence in childhood and to be able to reflect back as I read "Go Set a Watchman".
If you only study "To Kill A Mockingbird" you are denying the realities of life and plus fostering an idealised education approved "deny-ocrat" outcome. While I think that "Go Set a Watchman" shows the true meaning of listening and understanding with the freedom of speech and freedom of thought.
To deny the existence of "Go Set a Watchman" is now naive. I think that is why they orchestrated and "marketed" the 55 year wait as the sister Alice always new of its existence and was protecting Harper Lee.
