ABC Radio National

Books and Arts Daily





Date/Time 11 Jul 2014 7:22:43pm
I don't agree that this is just another story about a good white man rescuing a good black man. It's a nuanced story and the black community is not portrayed as helpless and just needing rescuing. Calpurnia is a strong character who holds her own and disciplines the good man's naughty children. The kids find rational attitudes amongst the black community and it is there they go to listen to the court case, not the white peanut gallery which is characterised by intemperate attitudes and behaviour. Atticus didn't volunteer to do the job - but having been given it, he does it to the best of his ability, taking risks within his own community.
