Festival
analyzes classic novel, characters
By Jill Thomsen
On-line Forty-Niner
The
city of Long Beach is encouraging its residents
to spend a little time with Scout, Jem and
Atticus Finch as the city reads “To Kill
a Mockingbird.”
Long Beach Reads One Book is a literary
festival that encourages the community to
read the same book over the course of two
months. The goal of the program is to “create
a citywide book club that fosters common
ground for community discussion,” Mayor
Beverly O’Neill said.
The program culminates this week as various
organizations host over 50 events including
book discussions, dramatic readings, orchestral
performances and panel discussions.
“Anytime we can get people reading it’s
a major step forward,” children’s literature
professor Sylvia Maxson said. “The book
is a great story and gives us a lot to think
about.”
“The program is a wonderful opportunity
for us on campus to bring people together
that have maybe never talked to each other,”
Maxson noted.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” was written by Alabama
native Harper Lee, and published in 1960
to wide acclaim. The novel won the Pulitzer
Prize in 1961.
The book was chosen by a committee with
representatives from the Long Beach Unified
School District, local community colleges,
the Long Beach Public Library Foundation
and various book clubs.
Set in the small town of Maycomb, Ala.,
during the Depression, “To Kill a Mockingbird”
follows three years in the life of 8-year-old
Scout Finch and her family.
'To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a story about
conscience, and how it is instilled in two
children, Scout and Jem Finch; how it operates
in their father, Atticus, a lawyer appointed
to defend a Negro on a rape charge; and
how conscience grows in their small Alabama
town,” Vogue said.
“There are so many issues in the book that
are important ot discuss in a diverse community
like Long Beach,” Long Beach Pulbic Library
Foundation Director Gene Richey said. “There
are issues that everyone can tangle with.”
The novel was made into a motion picture
in 1962 and was nominated for eight Academy
Awards including Best Picture. Gregory Peck
won the Lead Actor Oscar for his portrayal
of Atticus. His son, Stephen Peck, will
be at several events this week.
Mary Badham was 10 years old when she was
nominated as Best Supporting Actress for
her role as Scout. Badham will be in Long
Beach all week meeting with high school
students and participating in various panels
and discussions.
“I am overwhelmed with the organizations
that have planned events,” Richey said.
The Long Beach Bar Association is presenting
a reenactment of the trial from the novel
and had auditions by attorneys for roles
in the production.
“I like the fact that Long Beach cares so
much about our community that they are putting
this on,” said Maxson.
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