An Atticus Finch Summer
“Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.” – Charles Lamb
We are already well into July, the high point of Rhode Island summer living. For me, summer 2012 has been about: (1) physical therapy (“PT”), (2) my young family, and (3) managing our growing law firm.
As to the PT, I am recovering from the right shoulder surgery and preparing for left shoulder surgery. So, my physical therapist Mary and I spend a lot of time together. She turned me on to re-reading To Kill A Mockingbird. This, in turn, has had an impact on my family and law practice.
Recall that the story is told from the viewpoint of Scout, Atticus’s 6-year-old daughter. Scout is curious about all things, including the mysterious “Radley Place” and her father and his law practice. My own daughter is 4 years old, and is so similar to Scout that I found myself laughing aloud while reading. The book reminds me how these kids watch and absorb all that we adults do.
By the way, my neighbor Dave mentioned that this was the only book that Harper Lee ever wrote!
Notably, the book has re-introduced me to my boyhood hero, Atticus Finch. I enjoy the way that Lee depicts Atticus: kneeling stoically in church….. listening carefully to the lying townspeople testify in court…. teaching his children about how to treat others. Everything is done with thoughtfulness, care, and with integrity. As to the last point, there is this deep juxtaposition between the “church going folks” on the outside who nonetheless act racist – versus Atticus’s sincere faith, desire to help others, and love. To me, Atticus models the authentic Christian man, flawed, but nonetheless striving to do the right thing.
It has been a memorable summer so far for me. As to its impact on my RI personal injury law firm, To Kill A Mockingbird is an inspiring legal story. Even though Atticus loses the trial, his ethics remain intact. In our Providence law office, I am placing the book in our reception area where, in the midst of busyness, it will remind us to help others achieve justice.
Paul Alexander
12:46 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
In one reader's opinion, this was a real good read.
Andrea Smiley
10:05 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Thank you for sharing this - I loved the book and the movie. I do like your comment - "it will remind us to help others achieve justice".
Billie Ruth Thomas
10:44 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I live in Alabama but my son teaches at Brown med school, and I have friends in Warren. I was privileged to meet "Nell" Harper Lee when I was in college and visited a classmate from her little hometown of Monroeville, AL. Nell was a friend of their family, and I spent a hot summer afternoon with her, lemonade and all, though it seemed very short, she was so fascinating. We talked about things Southern, and New York, and only a little about the book. She was extremely modest, given her fame, private but congenial, a great storyteller (obviously), and strong in her opinions and convictions, as I was. It was impossible not to like her. It remains one of the most unusual and appreciated experiences of my life.
Billie Ruth Thomas
Mike Bottaro
2:03 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
No way, this sounds like an incredible experience. Did she share Capote's influence on the book?
portsmouthgirl63
11:50 am on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Hands down this is my favorite book...I always have a copy of it on my bookshelf and re-read it atleast once a year
la_mouffette
1:13 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Harper Lee has had a wonderful effect on your blog writing, Mr. Bottaro.
Very nice entry.
Mike Bottaro
2:02 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Thank you all for reading.... la_mouffette, you're a tough cookie, so you especially made my day!
Judy Bailey
3:06 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
It's difficult to decide which is better---the movie or the book. They were both so compelling. After so many years they are both so vividly instilled in my mind. I appreciate reading your reflections on the book,Mike.And Billie Ruth---what a great experience you had in meeting Harper Lee!
Joe Richer
4:25 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The movie and later the book were my introduction to the importance of developing the intellect. Both the book and the movie are critical experiences IMHO.
Billie Thomas
9:13 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Mike, in answer to your question, no, she did not mention Truman Capote's influence on the book, which was not really a surprise. We talked about how growing up in Alabama and things in general.had been similar to Monroeville in my own home town but how life and influence for minorities was changing in Alabama (and have happily changed incredibly since then in both attitude and politics). Her book and our talk that day motivated me to work for civil rights most of my adult life, obtaining college scholarships for minorities from my clients, who were major corporations in the state. I decided to stay in Alabama rather than leave, to try to improve conditions in my birthplace., I will soon be moving to RI to be near my son and his family. I will leave with good feelings about the progress we have made in AL and hopeful feelings for "fitting in" in RI? The people I have met there so far are warm and welcoming..
Thank you, Mike, for your beautiful article, for honoring Nell's book , and the opportunity it gave me to relive this experience, which was most 'influential' on me.
All my best to you, Billie Ruth Thomas. .
Mike Bottaro
6:34 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Hi Billie Ruth: Your comments are truly inspiring and remind me of being in school and listening to a lawyer named Morris Dees speak about his civil rights work and the Southern Poverty Center. We welcome you to Rhode Island!
PM JONES
11:32 am on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the few movies that brings the book to life!
P.S. We all welcome you, Billie Ruth!
Sage-RI
2:21 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Love, love, love this book!!!
daparyo
8:50 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
http://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/4867/the-art-of-fiction-no-17-truman-capote
Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor...