Go Set A Watchman

For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.

- Isaiah 21:6

There are two basic concerns upfront some have with this book.

Some are not sure the elderly Harper Lee truly consented to its publishing and it is deemed a cynical money making move by her agent.  Her concern for privacy and until know desire to rest on the laurels of her one work underlines this concern.  Who knows -- the evidence to my understanding is at best mixed and not sure how we can prove things one way or another.  From what I can tell, Harper Lee is still competent enough that if she didn't want this to be published she would have stopped it. Who knows. Let's just say, I don't. The evidence is at best mixed and don't think there is a moral reason not to read it on that grounds alone. I probably can be convinced that it would have been best to wait until she died, but again, not enough for me not to read it.

The other concern is that this is in effect a first draft that was never intended to be released as a novel. The overall approach is a third person account through the voice mostly of Jean Louise (Scout) as an adult in her twenties who is home for a visit. This provides various chances to have flashbacks, not only to the time portrayed in the book we all know but later on as well, including during her teenage years.  We recognize various characters though they are older here and Atticus in particular comes off in a somewhat different fashion.  The trial -- altered a bit eventually including its conclusion -- was apparently a major chunk of these flashbacks and this is what her editor suggested she focus the whole book on.  And, the book because a first person narrative though (as seen in the narration in the film) we still have an adult Jean Louise looking back.  The remainder here is somewhat raw and less narratively interesting.

Oh well. The book is not a classic like the first, but there is clearly an interest in seeing what happens to these characters (even if we don't treat this book as "canon," that is what "actually happened" officially such as when spin-offs of major television programs or movies provide "official" material). We get additional vignettes concerning various of the characters and they mostly "feel" right, separating the most controversial aspect of the book particularly.  It is a bit strange to start off the book with a clearly all grown-up Jean Louise (her later talking about having "the curse" particularly) and reference to her flying from NYC underlines how twenty years has passed (normal customer plane travel began in 1930s, but only in a limited way). But, it is worthwhile reading to me. Also, yes, the book probably in various ways comes off as a rough draft. Okay.  Incomplete and/or rough material has been published in various cases all the same to add to the canon. A major example here in Jane Austen in particular portions of two books she never completed. Wasn't some sort of travesty.

A final concern of some is that people aren't quite sure if this wasn't is some fashion edited. It is my understanding is that it was not but some are doubtful. Eh. Without more proof, I'm going to assume that this was really a draft of her novel. The title is a metaphor for one's conscience  though the biblical verse in context seems to have a different meaning. It began well with Jean Louise coming home to visit and discussing her train ride. About a quarter in, however, it was somewhat dull as she just goes about her visit, interacting with various people (including Atticus' young partner [Henry] and assumed successor once we are told the bummer that Jem died young like his mother, also in effect JL's boyfriend) and flashing back to some generally interesting vignettes of her younger years.  The trial narrative was more interesting there. And, even after she finds out her father has some offensive racial views (in a parallel, she listens from the baloncy of the courtroom), the book rambles on in like form before she confronts her dad.

Some are upset at Atticus here, but I respect the complexity -- him defending a safe "good black" in the days of segregation from wrongful allegations by "trash" is one thing.  Dealing with the threats of change, integration and black empowerment in the days after the school segregation decision is quite another matter.  His brother's garbled defense (tellingly told only in the white's p.o.v. as noted by JL) might not impress, but Atticus' sentiments are believable at least to some point. The young Scout would have a more hero worshiping viewpoint at any rate. My immediate concern is that the stuff before Jean Louise and Atticus have it out could do with some editing. I think there is probably enough for a book there, if less interesting than the first one. It would be a way to learn more about the characters and then the controversial twist would be added.  When you can find an argument that Tom really was guilty online, why not provide some more material that puts various characters (down to one of the black characters) in a somewhat different light. Lincoln had some nice things to say about basic equality but still drew the line at a certain point.

A final concern goes back to editing. The last fifty pages involves JL confronting her boyfriend and father regarding their involvement in a White Citizen's Council meeting. Henry takes the "have to fit in" approach.  Atticus defends himself on the merits -- NAACP are causing trouble and don't have the best interests of local blacks at heart, local whites know best, blacks as a whole are at a limited stage of social development and aren't ready for equality etc. Polite racism. JL lashes out with a lot of speechifying and yet more personal anguish (had about hundred pages of that once she overheard mixed with flashbacks).

And, then after you trudge through this prime material for editing material (and she starts off admitted Browd v. Bd. appalled her, but she realized they deserved to win), it ends up being treated as some sort of moment of maturity. Her uncle explains the whole thing was her truly being her own person, having her own "watchman" and not simply relying on her father.  He suggests she come back home from NYC since the town needs more forward thinking sorts. This reflects what the author did herself -- she came back from her time in NYC and spent her life back where she grew up. The first book was about childhood; this is truly about the end of innocence.

JL drives Atticus home, him forgiving her for all the nasty things she said since he knew she was wrong about it anyhow. Not overly satisfying though if I didn't have to trudge through dull speeches and such it would have helped things. Overall, mixed bag, but probably worth the candle. Spoilers discussed.