Reply #6: As always, you are right, ZombyWoof! [View All]

[southerngirlwriter]

I'll assume we've all read it here, and so if this is a tiny bit of a spoiler, I'm sorry.

Here's my favorite passage:

p. 243

"Is he all right?" Aunty asked, indicating Jem.

"He'll be so presently," said Atticus. "It was a little too strong for him." Our father sighed. "I'm going to bed," he said. "If I don't wake up in the morning, don't call me."

"I didn't think it wise in the first place to let them--"

"This is their home, sister," said Atticus. "We've made it this way for them, they might as well learn to cope with it."

"But they don't have to go to the courthouse and wallow in it--"

"It's just as much Maycomb County as missionary teas."

"Atticus--" Aunt Alexandra's eyes were anxious. "You are the last person I thought would turn bitter over this."

"I'm not bitter, just tired. I'm going to bed."

"Atticus--" said Jem bleakly.

He turned in the doorway. "What, son?"

"How could they do it, how could they?"

"I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it -- seems that only children weep. Good night."

I get goose bumps. The writing is astounding, but Atticus is so human there -- honest and angry and vulnerable and merciful and somehow idealistic and realistic all at once.

DAMN.