My first book review - Find your inner ‘Scout’

You know you have read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend, said Paul Sweeney. That’s exactly what I felt when I finished reading one of the most celebrated and unforgettable books of all time – To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee. I am passionate about a few things in my life – sports, my work, friends – but reading fiction isn’t something that comes up in this list often. Sure, I love a good autobiography or even a book that delves into people matters in business. So, while I had heard about the Pulitzer-prize winning novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ often over the years, it didn’t make it into my reading list for 2020 until just a few weeks ago. A close friend recommended that I read it, who was living by the ethos set in the book, stressing that it is a must read. Another aspect that drew me to it was that most folks said that it is timeless – that one gleans something new from each re-read, depending on their stage in life at that moment. Having read it now, I can safely say that it is deserving of its spot as one of the best novels of all time.

The novel follows the lives of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, her brother Jem and their widowed father Atticus Finch (a prominent lawyer) in their fictional Alabama town. It’s set in the American South, and deals with the themes of racism, justice, community and empathy. Narrated from Scout’s perspective, it’s a coming-of-age novel for both her and Jem, as they learn about deep racial divides and the importance of empathy. Scout, in my opinion, is one of the strongest characters despite being the youngest. She is curious, intelligent, unafraid to ask questions, empathetic and courageous, with a strong sense of justice. She’s unapologetically fearless, stands up for what she believes is right and overrides the norms of her time. She watches Atticus closely, analyzing his actions and trying hard to understand the reason behind them. Atticus, in that role, is a strong support for Scout – ever-present even after a hard day, always ready to speak to her like an adult and keen for her to learn about people without any pretense. And to the community, Atticus is a moral compass – pointing out right from wrong, no matter the situation. As we grow old, we lose a wonderful faculty bestowed to us as children – the innocence. As Scout tries to understand the world soaked in racial prejudices, through her father, her brother and the people around her, her innocence is what refuses to internalize the societal constructs of right and wrong, is what lets her hold out a helping hand to someone in need.

There’s much that we can learn from Scout. The courage to speak up, armed with data, is a must-have in any business scenario. As Scout says, “Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I’d have the facts”. At the same time, empathy is a core quality in any situation. Here again, Atticus states that, “You never really understand a person… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” While these look like opposing natures, they are actually complementary, and can help inform your decision in a holistic way.

Atticus is another strong presence throughout the novel. He embodies a support system – not just for Scout and Jem, but for the community as a whole – morally, ethically, and personally. He nudges his children in the right direction without prescribing their actions. He also encourages them to open their eyes to the reality of human nature. I believe that it is important for each of us to have a version of Atticus in our lives – be it a person or a supportive ecosystem. In the same way, we can form the support in the lives of our friends, family and colleagues too. 

Finally, as we approach IWD 2020, I encourage each of you to introspect on the “Scout” within you. Are you courageous in the face of adversity? Do you ask questions, unafraid of the answer? Have you walked a mile in the shoes of someone else? Scout, though a child in the novel, is a guiding light for qualities that can serve us well at work too.

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a must-read and will reveal more narrative layers over every read. It taught me a lot of life lessons – the most important one being “Most people are kind and generous, when you finally see them”. Overwhelming!

note: The views expressed in the article are my own