4 Awesome Things Harper Lee Did After 'Mockingbird'

[sheshe2]

1. ROASTED A SMALL-MINDED SCHOOL BOARD

In 1966, a Virginian school board elected to remove all copies of To Kill a Mockingbird from their libraries, citing the book as “immoral." Outraged, Lee wrote a fiery letter to the Richmond News Leader condemning the group’s actions. “Recently,” she asserted, “I have received echoes down this way of the Hanover County School Board’s activities, and what I’ve heard makes me wonder if any of its members can read.” Lee went on to compare the officials in question to Orwellian dictators and capped off her epic beat-down by enclosing “a small contribution … that I hope will be used to enroll the Hanover County School Board in any first grade of its choice.”

2. HELPED TRUMAN CAPOTE WORK ON IN COLD BLOOD

Lee’s childhood friend Truman Capote asked her to accompany him on a trip to the small town of Holcomb, Kansas in 1959 to investigate the recent murder of a wealthy family under mysterious circumstances. It didn’t take long for Capote to discover that his companion had a much easier time talking to the locals, an ability which proved invaluable to his efforts. Lee was so dedicated to the case that she not only wrote 150 pages of notes for Capote, but also took a week-long vacation during the pre-production of To Kill a Mockingbird's film adaptation to rejoin him in Kansas so they might further examine the suspects. Truman’s best-selling account of the incident, In Cold Blood, became an instant sensation.

3. WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM

Though she generally declines interview requests, Lee made a rare public appearance in 2007 to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Fellow recipients that year included geneticist Francis Collins and former House Foreign Affairs committee chairman Henry Hyde. (See Lee claiming her prize at the 32:36 mark of the above clip).

4. WROTE AN IMPASSIONED DEFENSE OF BOOKS AND LIBRARIES

In 2006, Lee composed an open letter to Oprah Winfrey’s O magazine that discussed her love of books. Her thoughts should be required reading for bookworms of all ages:

“[In] an abundant society where people have laptops, iPods, and minds like empty rooms, I still plod along with books. Instant information is not for me: I still prefer to search library stacks because when I work to learn something, I remember it. And Oprah, can you imagine curling up in bed to read a computer? Weeping for Anna Karenina and being terrified by Hannibal Lecter, entering the heart of darkness with Mistah Kurtz, having Holden Caulfield ring you up—some things should happen on soft pages, not cold metal.”

http://mentalfloss.com/article/54752/4-awesome-things-harper-lee-did-after-mockingbird

There is a video of her Medal of Freedom Award at the link. You can see it there if you wish. However it was Buscko that honored her. I couldn't bear to bring it here.

[SheilaT]

1. What a shame she never wrote another book.

[JI7]

3. "I have said what i wanted to say"

below is her response to someone asking why she did not write again

<"Two reasons: one, I wouldn't go through the pressure and publicity I went through with To Kill a Mockingbird for any amount of money. Second, I have said what I wanted to say and I will not say it again.">

[sheshe2]

5. I like this part, J17~

" I have said what I wanted to say and I will not say it again."

[alp227]

4. I'd rather she be a one-hit wonder (in a literary sense)

than running into writer's block.

[zonkers]

6. I always heard that Truman wrote a lot of TKAM. Is this true? I dont know.

[JI7]

7. she wrote the book but Dill was based on Capote

and she helped Capote with "in cold blood"

[pamela]

12. That was the rumor but it really doesn't make sense.

Truman Capote wasn't exactly the kind of person to forgo accolades. I can't imagine him writing that book and then sitting back quietly as she began to win awards.

[greiner3]

26. I think that Ms Lee was terrified of the public spotlight that she implored Capote not to use her;

Name anywhere in the book.

Just sayin.

[pamela]

43. I think you misunderstood.

I was addressing the rumor that Truman Capote wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird."

[The Second Stone]

33. Their writings styles are very different

both were excellent writers that will be remember for very different kinds of contributions.

[Glorfindel]

13. I doubt that there is really any such thing as "the great American novel"

But if there were, "To Kill a Mockingbird" would be a very strong candidate. Ms Lee said what she had to say extremely well, and I thank her for it.

[Cha]

2. Amazing woman.. Mahalo, she!

[trof]

8. I went to Monroeville, Alabama, her home town.

Saw the TKAM museum and the old courthouse which was modeled in the movie.
I live about three hours away.
Also met DUer dixiegirl there.
What fun.

It was fascinating.

Nell Lee is a VERY private person.
From one of the people at the museum I was able to pry out that she was in an 'assisted living' facility, but she wouldn't tell me where.
Fair enough.

Of course Macomb is modeled on Monroeville.
And her dad was 'Atticus'.

If you're ever in the area, it's worth the trip.

[sheshe2]

10. Thanks for the info trof.

Sounds like a great visit.

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. they have just added a sculpture to the lawn of the courthouse.

It shows 3 children ( ages 10 or so) reading TKMB, sitting on a bench.

since the play is shown outdoors for the first half, they have finally put in rows of seats, where before, people had to bring their own.
part of the play takes place in the old courthouse, the audience gets to watch the court room drama of the play.

Ms. Lee is not doing well, unfortunately, but has excellent care at the retirement home.

I have referred to this town as Mayberry, with the kindest of meanings.
suits me perfectly.

[sheshe2]

16. I have heard she is not doing well, so glad she is being cared for.

Hey dixiegirl.

Thank you for the info. A beloved book. Do you have any images of the sculpture? I tried to find one.

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. Only image I found was in our weekly paper.

I just did online search, found nothing.
haven't been up to see it myself yet.

[Frances]

27. I grew up in Grove Hill, about 35 miles from Monroeville

I live in California now. One of my grandchildren goes to school in Santa Cruz and has a classmate named Scout; another grandchild lives in Palo Alto and has a classmate named Atticus. Small world, isn't it?

I was living in Auburn, AL, back in the sixties and was asked to invite Harper Lee to speak to an enrichment class for teens living in Tuskeegee, AL. Harper Lee's sister answered the phone and told me that Harper Lee did not speak to groups. I was disappointed, but I respected her decision.

[trof]

31. I have cousins in Grove Hill and Gainestown.

Small world.

[Frances]

37. My mother and father are buried in Grove Hill, but

I have no family left in Clarke County.

Neither does Hardy Jackson, a descendant of one of the founding families. One of his ancestors was a sheriff when the Mitcham War broke out. This was a class war between cotton brokers and cotton growers. My classmate's son Tom Franklin, now a creative writing professor in Mississippi, wrote a book called (I think) Hell at the Breech about this war from the cotton brokers' point of view. Jerry Brown, who I think was head of the Journalism Dept at Auburn U at one time, wrote about the war from the cotton growers' point of view.

[trof]

45. Hadn't heard of the Mitchum War. I'll look it up.

Thanks.

[kairos12]

9. Atticus Finch. A great and noble character.

[dinger130]

14. I once lived close to Monroeville

and Ms. Lee frequently ate breakfast at the local Hardees. Not much to choose from in that town. The mill closed down a few years ago and even the outlet mall went under.

Many people have said that if she had stayed in New York instead of returning home, she would have written more books. Who knows.

[Omaha Steve]

15. I have always though Truman wrote To Kill a Mockingbird

In my old age I am changing my opinion.

[yardwork]

36. Why did you think that?

[Omaha Steve]

38. It was rumored for years

But it seems now the rumor was only a rumor.

Truman's best book was "A Christmas Memory". I've read it to my kids and grandkids grade school classes many times.

OS


http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5244492

Letter Puts End to Persistent 'Mockingbird' Rumor

by MELISSA BLOCK
March 03, 2006 4:00 PM ET

New evidence may end the decades-old speculation that Truman Capote — not Harper Lee — wrote the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Dr. Wayne Flynt, retired professor of history from Auburn University discusses the basis for the persistent rumor and explains why it is indeed false.

MELISSA BLOCK, Host:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Melissa Block.

In the decades since Harper Lee published TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in 1960, her novel has been shadowed by a persistent rumor. The speculation has been that Lee's long time friend Truman Capote either wrote or heavily edited the book, which would go on to be a bestseller and win the Pulitzer Prize.

Well, now a letter from Truman Capote to his aunt, dated July 9, 1959, should help put that rumor to rest. Joining us to talk about it is Wayne Flynt. He is a retired history professor at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. And he has researched the writings of both Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Welcome.

WAYNE FLYNT: Thank you.

FULL story at link.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

18. Mockingbird - one of my favorite books ever. Everything about it is wonderful.

Atticus - a good dad, a good friend, a man of high principles
Scout - An early feminist girl
Boo Radley - A fearful guy with mild autism
Tom Robinson - The victim who reminds us that no good deed goes unpunished, and particularly if there's racism and you're the scapegoat
Mayela Violet Ewel - White trash with no self-respect, no respect for anyone else, no morality, and no kindness; victim of incest at the hand of her father, Bob
Bob Ewell - Tea Party white trash type, violent, a drunk, pedophile and incest criminal, racist to the nth degree

[BrotherIvan]

19. I have read this book so many times

I am surprised that every time I pick it up, I find something new in it. For a real treat, check out Sissy Spacek reading the audiobook. She'll make you cry.

[JI7]

21. reading books again, especially the classics is one of the most enjoyable things i have found

you ALWAYS learn something that you didn't the previous times.

the first time you read i think we tend to rush a bit at times because we are so eager to see what is going to happen. and end up not taking everything in and missing things.

also many of us end up reading additional things based on the books which gives us more knowledge of things.

so when we do read it again we kind of "get it" more than we did before.

[BrotherIvan]

28. I also like reading them as I age

My perspective has changed and you see why a book is so great, it can "age" with you and still teach you something new. I have so many books on my list I still want to read, so sometimes I feel a bit guilty about slipping into something so well-worn and pleasurable; but I always find so much reward, the guilt vanishes. I, for one am glad she stopped after her "great auk's egg" as Ford Maddox Ford put it. It is a beauty, and would be impossible to top. I just hope that people are allowed and continue to read it.

[exboyfil]

20. I have to wonder if such a book

would get such a warm reception today. My daughters and I were discussing how Atticus just feels a bit like a early 20th century Kipling White Man's Burden. Would African Americans be so accepting of only one who could be a savior is this white lawyer? The movie even emphasizes this case more with the African American residents engaging in hero worship to the point of idolatry. I wonder what someone like Malcolm X would say about the book.

Don't get me wrong. I loved the book as a teen and reread it with my daughters recently.

[JI7]

22. you have to consider the times and other context, plus in this book he was not able to save him

i think people would have been less upset if he was able to save him because it would have presented things as working out as they should . and people could go on pretending there wasn't racism or that blacks were treated unjustly.

but instead it was more real. also the nanny was not the stereotypical image portrayed most of the times.

in fact many of the characters like Atticus Finch, Scout etc were so different from the usual stereotypes of not just those times but maybe even today.

[BrotherIvan]

30. As a person of color, I will never take offense when someone stands up for what is right

Everyone needs to stand up. I don't think only people with the same skin color as mine have that right. Atticus stood up for Tom Robinson because a black lawyer wouldn't have been allowed to, showing the racism of the times. White preachers and rabbis, white liberals and students, people of all races and walks of life walked with Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. They marched for equality of all people, for human rights. If we exclude anyone because of his or her race, we are fighting against inclusion and equality.

[FailureToCommunicate]

23. Lee looks like an older Scout...

Same twinkle in her eyes.


Thanks, sheshe.

[sheshe2]

25. She does!

Thanks for posting those images of Scout, FTC~

[saidsimplesimon]

24. "To Kill a Mockingbird", prophetic genius madame Lee.

Her childhood friend, Mr. Capote, resented, rather than celebrated her. Or, so I've read.

Thank you Harper Lee, I'm so sorry Truman was abused by demons.

[lovemydog]

29. She played drums for The Clash

for a short while. Filled in for Topper Headon when he was in rehab. She totally kicked ass. It's a little-known made-up fact.

[indepat]

32. Am honored to have an autographed 35th Anniversary copy of

'To Kill a Mockingbird.'

[TNNurse]

34. My father died when I was ten.

I looked for male role models to learn from. Atticus Finch was very high on the list. I identified with those motherless children, for I had been a child without a father.

Thank you Ms Lee, thank you Mr. Peck.

[sheshe2]

42. I am so sorry you lost your dad so young.

Yes, Atticus was a good father, and a great role model.

[TNNurse]

44. Thanks

I had a good loving family, but it does change your life.

[shenmue]

35. She rules

Yay!

[Egnever]

39. Atticus

is my sons name. We hope we can teach him to do that name proud.

[sheshe2]

40. I love that name, Egnever!

Your son will be awesome!

[Egnever]

41. It is a big name.

It has been amazing to see how well loved it is. I cant count how many people have said "like from to kill a mocking bird? I love Atticus Finch!"

Honestly I am amazed given the possitive response we have gotten to it there are not way more Atticus's running around.