Latest news with #ToKillAMockingbird
The Guardian
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
To Kill a Mockingbird: a call to compassion that's more urgent than ever
It's impossible to watch Robert Mulligan's 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee's great novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and not be moved by Gregory Peck's performance as Atticus Finch, a small-town American lawyer with an unfailing moral compass. Light years from the archetypal legal eagle, he radiates good old-fashioned decency, espousing tolerance and compassion that sadly feels almost passe amid the Sturm und Drang of the current world. 'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view,' goes one of Finch's great lines, sourced from Lee's book. In perhaps the film's most memorable scene, Peck deliverers a grand courtroom monologue, declaring that 'all men are created equal', imploring the jury to 'in the name of god, believe Tom Robinson,' the black man accused raping a white woman – a crime he didn't commit. When I think about this film, my mind recalls that monologue in vivid colour – even though it's shot in monochrome. I've watched To Kill a Mockingbird several times but still have to gird my loins for the moment Finch (spoilers to follow) breaks the news to Robinson's family that he was killed while attempting to escape. Finch's wisdom gives the film (and book) its title. Earlier, around the breakfast table, he recalls that when his father gave him his first gun, he told him he could 'shoot all the bluejays you want … but remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird' because these creatures 'don't do one thing except make music for us to enjoy'. Ergo, the metaphor about destroying the innocent and harmless. Peck won a best actor Oscar, but the protagonist is actually Finch's young daughter Scout (Mary Badham), whose adult self recounts the story. Her narration is everything to the book, though it's sparingly used in the film and does little beyond lacing some moments with Harper's lovely prose. Scout famously describes Maycomb – where the story takes place in 1932 – as a 'tired old town' where 'the rhythms of life are slow,' men's collars 'wilted by nine in the morning' and 'ladies bathed before noon'. In the book, Scout's reflections have a thoughtfulness and maturity beyond the ken of her childhood self. The film's relationship with time is different. Instead of an older person looking back, it's mostly a present tense narrative evoking a child's perspective – Scout's, but also that of her older brother Jem (Phillip Alford) and their friend Dill (John Megna). In both versions, this focus on the children makes it unusual. How many legal dramas spend so little time in the courtroom, and so much time following children who aren't directly related to the case? Before we learn about Robinson's plight, we're introduced to the mystery surrounding a reclusive local character named Boo Radley (Robert Duvall, in his first film performance). The children repeat terrible rumours about him very early in the film, which we eventually learn are entirely unfounded. It's only at the very end that we discover the clever bookend device deployed by Lee, and retained in the film. Radley saves Scout and Jem from a potentially lethal attack by a man seeking revenge on Finch, and kills the offender in the process. The sheriff decides to spare Radley from the inevitable fallout, officially reporting that the other man fell on his knife. Atticus is surprised that Scout agrees with this decision; as she puts it, 'it would be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldn't it?' We assumed, all this time, that the metaphor applied to the innocent, downtrodden Robinson. But here we see it broaden out, extending to others who are mistreated and powerless. The ending is optimistic in some senses, emphasising compassion and humanity. But it's also deeply melancholic – a rich tapestry of emotions. This terrific film has lost none of its power. To Kill a Mockingbird is streaming on Binge in Australia and available to rent in the UK and US. For more recommendations of what to stream in Australia, click here
News.com.au
13-06-2025
- News.com.au
Teacher fired for reading slur aloud in popular classroom book
A teacher in Washington state said he was recently fired for reading his class a passage from To Kill a Mockingbird without censoring the n-word. Matthew Mastronardi, a Spanish teacher at West Valley High School in Spokane, was filmed reading out loud a section of the 1960 Harper Lee novel about racism and injustice in the Jim Crow-era Deep South. The Spanish teacher said in a lengthy X post Wednesday that he only spoke the slur — which is used repeatedly in the classic work — as a 'teachable moment about context and literary honesty in reading' when he heard students saying they felt they 'must 'skip over the n-word'.' 'I was astonished and expressed disagreement, saying, 'That's silly; it undermines the book's historical context and disrespects the author's intent to use accurate language',' Mastronardi said. 'A girl asked me in front of the class, 'Would you read the word?' I replied, 'Yes, I would read every word'.' Unaware that he was being recorded, Mastronardi — who admitted being 'nervous but committed' — said he then chose to read out the passage in front of the 30 students as a 'teachable moment.' Within days, the teacher said he was slapped with a verbal warning from the principal before later being told he could either resign or face not having his contract renewed. After refusing to quit, Mastronardi was served a non-renewal notice, he said. The school repeatedly stated the decision wasn't solely down to the book saga — but officials apparently refused to provide other reasons, he claimed. 'There are no parent complaints, no documented disciplinary actions and I've passed every teaching evaluation,' he said. Mastronardi said he now has one last chance to appeal at a school board meeting on June 25. The iconic novel about racism and injustice in the Jim Crow-era Deep South tells the story of a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. The acclaimed novel, which is told through the eyes of a young white girl, uses the slur dozens of times. The Post reached out to West Valley High School about Mastronardi's firing but didn't hear back immediately.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Magic Johnson Joins Superstar Debate During NBA Finals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NBA Finals are underway, and so far, the Indiana Pacers are in the driver's seat. The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 on Wednesday. The Pacers are now two games away from capturing their first-ever NBA title in franchise history. Game 3 was another doozy, as both teams went back and forth, but ultimately, it was the Pacers, led by their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who came out on top. Haliburton has been the topic of conversation for the entire playoffs. The question regarding Haliburton is whether he is a superstar or not. So far in the playoffs, he is playing incredibly, leading the Pacers to their second-ever Finals appearance. While he is showcasing that he is, many are still debating the topic. Many pundits and experts are making their case for whether he is or isn't. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson weighed in on the topic, but not specifically on Haliburton, instead on what it means to be a superstar. Johnson appeared on ESPN's First Take on Thursday and clarified the supertrailer criteria amid the ongoing debate. Magic Johnson attends "To Kill A Mockingbird" Broadway Opening Night at Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018 in New York City. Magic Johnson attends "To Kill A Mockingbird" Broadway Opening Night at Shubert Theatre on December 13, 2018 in New York City. Photo by"A person who can go on the road and sell the building," Johnson said. "You gotta be box office... Larry Bird — people running home. Charles Barkley — people running home. Shaq — people running home. Kobe — people running home. And of course, the greatest to ever play — Michael Jordan. People running home to see him, or doing everything they can to get into the arena to watch him play. That's a superstar." Magic Johnson defines a superstar - "A person who can go on the road and sell the building out." — Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 12, 2025 Johnson knows a thing or two about being a superstar in the league. The fifth NBA champion is the ultimate superstar, as he not only dazzled fans with his play but also practically saved the NBA, alongside his long-time rival and friend, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. The 65-year-old is a legend and superstar through and through, and his resume speaks for itself. Outside of being a five-time champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time NBA MVP, 12-time All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA First-team selection. Johnson knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a true superstar, and whether the players in this year's NBA Finals can rise to that level remains to be seen. Only time will tell. More NBA news: Former NBA Star Suspended For Season Following Fan Altercation Lakers Legend Magic Johnson Delivers Powerful Message to Luka Doncic Lakers Connected to Stealing 3-Time Champion From Warriors For more Magic Johnson, Pacers and NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Washington Spanish teacher fired by high school for saying n-word while reading To Kill A Mockingbird to class
A Spanish teacher has been fired after reading a passage from To Kill A Mockingbird to his class that included the n-word. Matthew Mastronardi, who worked at West Valley High School in Spokane, Washington, had overheard students discussing the classic Harper Lee novel in his classroom when he was asked to read a passage aloud, which included the n-word. His students, according to Mastronardi, said they skipped over the controversial slur within the text as per another teacher's instructions. 'I was astonished and expressed disagreement, saying, "That's silly; it undermines the book's historical context and disrespects the author's intent to use accurate language,"' the teacher wrote on X. To Kill A Mockingbird tells the story of a white lawyer defending a black man accused of raping a white woman in 1930s Alabama and deals heavily with racist abuse suffered by blacks in the south. After Mastronardi slated the students for censoring themselves, one spoke up to ask the teacher he would read every word, including the n-word. Mastronardi said he would. 'A male student immediately handed me the book and said, "Okay do it,"' he continued. 'I knew the situation was serious with 30 students watching...I saw it as a teachable moment about context and literary honesty in reading.' Mastronardi read the book out loud to his class, specifically a passage that included the n-word, but he had 'no idea' that he was being recorded by a student. While it remains unclear if the recording was reported to school officials or if it received any complaints, Mastronardi was pulled in to discuss the matter with Principal Ryan Mulvey. The Spanish teacher said in the meeting that he 'acted in good faith with the desire to serve students.' 'Furthermore, I believe what I read was not to stir trouble but to deliver value. My conscience is clean and as stated in policy, this is a free exchange of ideas, which is what I was trying to perpetuate,' Mastronardi said. 'Teaching kids they can interact with a text honestly and intimidation should not be used to prevent that. I was asked to read it and so I did.' Then, on April 28, he was given a letter with a verbal warning. Mulvey wrote that Mastronardi had engaged in 'unprofessional communication' with his students. He determined that Mastronardi had 'failed to communicate in a civil manner, failed to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning by consistently maintaining professional boundaries, and did not maintain the highest professional standards.' The verbal warning declared that the teacher had violated the Districts Civility and Professional Staff Student Boundaries policy and ordered him to refrain from using the language again. On May 6, Mastronardi was called for a meeting with the Human Resources Director Sabre Dahl and Principal Mulvey during which he was informed he could 'either voluntarily resign or face the non-renewal' of his contract. Mastronardi, however, argued his case and wrote to rebuke the warning. 'This rebuttal is necessary because the actions taken against me are wholly unjustified... It is not uncivil, nor unprofessional to read a passage from a school approved novel,' he wrote. 'Words should not be skipped over simply because they make us uncomfortable, especially when the usage is essential to describe and understand the historical context.' Then, come May 8, Mastronardi was served with a non-renewal notice by Superintendent Kyle Rydell which claimed the teacher exercised 'poor judgement' and that the school had concerns for his 'ability to serve as a positive role model.' Mastronardi wrote on X that he requested evidence for the claims listed, 'but none was provided.' As the battle for his job continued, the Spanish teacher met with the superintendent to 'urge reconsideration.' 'During the meeting, they repeatedly stated the decision wasn't solely due to the TKAM incident,' he wrote. 'When I asked, "What other reasons contributed to my termination?" they provided no specifics.' Mastronardi further claimed there had been 'no parent complaints, no documented disciplinary actions, and I've passed every teaching evaluation.' 'The superintendent admitted relying on "hearsay" for part of his decision. Two union representatives, taking notes, attested to this.' Yet, it was still recommended his contract not be renewed. 'My students are very upset,' Mastronardi wrote. One freshman student even took it upon himself to create a petition in support of the teacher. 'He's a really good teacher,' the student, Payton Johnson, told Frontlines. 'He was just reading out of the book. He wasn't saying it to anyone or, like, in a rude manner.' The petition calls for the school to reinstate Mastronardi and said the 'beloved educator' is 'unjustly facing termination over a misunderstanding.' 'This decision strikes at the heart of educational integrity and the role educators play in exposing students to important historical contexts that foster critical thinking,' the petition said. 'We urge the administrative body of West Valley High School and the wider Spokane education authorities to reconsider this course of action. 'Not only is this decision detrimental to a well-regarded teacher's career, but it also diminishes the richness of the educational experience provided to students by limiting exposure to important, albeit challenging, literature.' The petition garnered a total of 654 signatures come Thursday morning. A GiveSendGo was created by the Spanish teacher to help his family through the transition period, with a large portion intended to be donated to support educational efforts toward free speech. Mastronardi, a husband and father of 'three beautiful children,' is set to plead his case at a board meeting on June 25. 'This is my final appeal to save my job,' he wrote.
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India.com
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
6 Books You Should Read If You Are A Classics Lover - From Metamorphosis To Time Machine
photoDetails english 2906657 Updated:May 26, 2025, 10:03 PM IST Metamorphosis 1 / 7 Franz Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' shows the transformation of a man into an insect and how his family deals with it. The book explores themes of isolation and new identity. Jane Eyre 2 / 7 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë is a story of a woman who seeks love, independence, and a sense of belonging. To Kill A Mockingbird 3 / 7 Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is the story of a young girl with adventures sprinkled in. Wuthering Heights 4 / 7 'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Brontë is a story about love and anger, and is set in the windy countryside. Time Machine 5 / 7 HG Wells' 'The Time Machine' is an adventure tale where a scientist travels to the future, discovering new worlds and exploring the consequences of his travel. Diary Of A Young Girl 6 / 7 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank is a saga of a Jewish girl's life while hiding from the Nazis. Credits 7 / 7 (Photo Credit: Representational Image/ Freepik)
