Many To Kill a Mockingbird fans were elated to hear of author Harper Lee’s recent announcement. On February 3^rd, Ms. Lee announced that she would publish her second novel titled Go Set a Watchman on July 14^th of this year. According to the publisher’s announcement, the novel follows the story of the protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout Finch, twenty years after the events of To Kill a Mockingbird. She travels from New York to Maycomb, Alabama in order to visit her father, Atticus Finch, who many of us remember to be a righteous lawyer in To Kill a Mockingbird. According to the Associated Press, the announcement adds that the novel addresses how Scout “is forced to grapple with issues both personal and political as she tries to understand her father’s attitude toward society, and her own feelings about the place where she was born and spent her childhood.”^[1]

Interestingly, many media outlets have mischaracterized Go Set a Watchman as a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird. However, the novel was actually written by Ms. Lee before To Kill a Mockingbird. Ms. Lee’s editor actually encouraged her to write a novel from the perspective of a young Scout Finch and the original novel was thus set aside. Additionally, the seventy-five year gap between the two novels can be attributed to the manuscript for the novel being lost, only being rediscovered in late 2014. Nevertheless, the manuscript will be published without any revisions.

Expressions of mixed reactions followed the announcement. Some individuals have a skeptical outlook on Go Set a Watchman. For example, according to CBC News, Ms. Lee’s biographer Charles J. Shields implied that some readers might be disappointed by the novel, which may reflect the work of an amateur unaided by an editor’s revisions.^[2] Some also believe that the original novel may have been lacking in some aspect in order for Ms. Lee’s past editor to have suggested another focus for the novel. Moreover, there has been some speculation regarding Ms. Lee’s say in the publication of the novel. Many media outlets have voiced concerns that outside forces may have coerced Ms. Lee into publishing the novel due to factors such as her old age and declining health. However, the latest reports claim otherwise. According to Tonja Carter, Ms. Lee’s attorney, Ms. Lee was upset following such false claims about her mental health. Carter also added, “She is a very strong, independent and wise woman who should be enjoying the discovery of her long lost novel. Instead, she is having to defend her own credibility and decision making.” ^[3]

But, regardless of such controversy, many fans of To Kill a Mockingbird are truly looking forward to Go Set a Watchman. For many, To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel that will remain perpetually treasured. To Kill a Mockingbird examines serious issues such as racial inequality in a Southern town from the perspective of a child while still artfully preserving elements of warmth and humor. As To Kill a Mockingbird was an impactful yet feel-good read for many people, many individuals have high expectations for Go Set a Watchman. However, let us wait until July 14^th to deem whether another classic has been born.

References:

1. Hillel, Italie. AP National. “Harper Lee to Publish Sequel to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird'” ABC News. ABC News Network, 3 Feb. 2015. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
2. CBC News. “Harper Lee’s Second Novel Sparks Skepticism from Critics and Fans” CBC News. CBC/Radio Canada, 05 Feb. 2015. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
3. Yakas, Ben. “Harper Lee Reportedly.” Gothamist. 08 Feb. 2015. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.