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“It’s a shame that you punish your students with such pap, but then again, I do have a Y chromosome.”

Harper Lee greatly abuses, and for good reason, John Dewey and his Progressive education reforms. She also makes a profound statement about God given rights, especially the right to free speech. For example, Atticus Finch never bats an eye when somebody calls him a n***** lover. He never even suggests that those who call him such names are wrong or should be punished for what today is a hate crime. The teacher who describes the U.S. as a democracy is shown to be incompetent. I could go on but I have to put my kids to bed. I suggest you read and reread this novel. You will be quite surprised about how conservative it actually is; however, the movie unfortunately has an agenda.

One more thing while the bath water is running: Harper Lee shows quite disgust for welfare. Scout questions her father on why Bob Ewell is allowed to hunt out of season and the reason is because he drinks his relief check. The community doesn't want to see his kids hungry. Later that day Jem mimicked a trend of the time by trying to stay in his tree house all day. Scout did everything for him including bringing him food. She was worried that he'd get too hungry or thirsty without her providing for him. Atticus tells her that when his supply line is cut off, Jem will come down from the tree house. As I mentioned in a previous post, Lee's innuendos are difficult to catch the first few times through the novel. You must read it several times before you are capable of seeing what she has incredibly crafted.