Sometimes, coming home forces people to confront uncomfortable changes and realities that they would much rather avoid. Such is the case for Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, the much-loved protagonist of Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman.”
Since her appearance in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the now 26-year-old Jean Louise has moved to New York City to make a living for herself. The storyline of “Go Set a Watchman” features her experiences during her annual two-week return to her hometown of Maycomb, Alabama.
Lee artfully balances character development with flashbacks from Scout’s childhood, instilling readers with nostalgia and an awareness of change as they jump back into the world of Scout Finch. Sandwiched between Jean Louise’s anecdotal recollections of the past are her observations of the present situation. Readers will immediately recognize the familiar sights and sounds from “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but also sense a distinct change in the dynamics within Maycomb County.
72-year-old Atticus Finch, Jean Louise’s father, has developed severe rheumatoid arthritis in his hands, and has reduced his involvement in legal work. Henry “Hank” Clinton, Scout’s childhood friend, has since graduated from law school, and assists Atticus in his practice of law. Additionally, he has been seeing Jean Louise for several years, and the two are in a serious relationship. Her Aunt Alexandra, the unyielding Southern belle, has moved into the Finch family home to assist Atticus with household chores after the retirement of Calpurnia, their longtime housemaid.
Though Jean Louise has traded in her childhood pair of overalls for professional attire, her stubborn wild streak and strong moral compass remain constant. Especially after her experience in New York, she is troubled by the strong racial tensions she encounters, which are increasingly flagrant in the Deep South of the 1950s.
Jean Louise, seeking answers, goes to the home of Calpurnia. She comes to a full realization of the situation in Maycomb when the once-loving housemaid who served as her mother-figure would barely make eye contact with her. The conflict comes to a head when she finds Atticus and Hank at a city council meeting with strong racial undertones.
Shocked, she is forced to take a stand and confront both her father and sweetheart about their beliefs. In reconciling her own outlook on life with the attitudes of those whom she loves, Jean Louise must discover who she is and what she stands for as an individual.
Lee’s latest novel deals with the same principles found in “To Kill a Mockingbird” from a slightly different perspective, with the questions of justice, good, and evil coming to roost at a more personal level.The universal themes of identity and morality find a unique intersection in “Go Set a Watchman” that will especially resonate with a college-aged audience.
Lee’s expertly-crafted story weaves straightforward diction with an intricate plot, establishing “Go Set a Watchman” as a profound, intriguing sequel that is sure to be a hit with any audience. Jean Louise’s introspective struggle will echo in readers’ minds long after they finish reading the book, leaving them to ponder these same questions in their own lives.
