On Tuesday, Harper Lee and her publisher announced the beloved author will be releasing a new book in July. The novel, Go Set A Watchman, was actually written before To Kill A Mockingbird, but the plot of the new book functions as more of a sequel, focusing on an adult-aged Scout who returns to Maycomb from New York. Though fans of Lee's iconic story were delighted at the initial news of Go Set A Watchman, the announcement was met with controversy fairly quickly. Some point to the recent death of her sister, Alice Lee, and lawyer, Tonja Carter, noting the timing of the publisher's announcement is suspicious. There's also been some questions surrounding the veracity of statements attributed to Lee herself.
Regardless, it's impossible to ignore how To Kill A Mockingbird has remained an important part of our lives for more than 50 years. Ahead, five quotes from the timeless novel that are just as powerful today.
“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but you sometimes do."— Atticus Finch
"Atticus told me to delete the adjectives and I'd have the facts."— Scout Finch
“It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived.” — Scout Finch
"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."— Scout Finch
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” — Atticus Finch
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