"To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Go Set a Watchman"

     "To Kill a Mockingbird" was published in 1960; "Go Set a Watchman" was published in 2015.  Both are thought to have been written in the late 1950s.  "Mockingbird" describes life in southern Alabama in the 1930s through the eyes of Jean Louise Finch (Scout) aged 6-8 years old; "Watchman" describes her return to her hometown in the 1950s at age 26.  She discovers the complexities of her father and her town.
     Scout, like most young children, trusted and believed that her father knew the truth and lived accordingly.  As an adult, she grew to realize that he, like most parents, are wise at times and also prejudiced and mistaken at times - not perfect.  We all are a product of our generation, our environment, and our upbringing.  We can evolve and get beyond the mistakes of the past.
     Paternalism comes in many forms.  Our parents watch over and control our young lives.  Our religion holds a similar power.  Government also steps in to protect and guide us, making and upholding laws, restricting some behaviors while guaranteeing rights.  When we try to understand other points of view then gain confidence in our own opinions, we can assume control over ourselves and realize that "every man's watchman is his conscience."
   

FOUR

     A society is divided into five factions to focus on eradicating specific evils.  Candor attempts to diminish dishonesty; Erudite, ignorance; Amity, aggression; Abnegation, selfishness; Dauntless, cowardliness.  At age 16, young citizens are free to construct their own identity by choosing a faction in which to live, staying in the same one as their parents or selecting another.
    After Tobias chose his faction, he learned that unlike most teens with many fears, he only had four: heights, claustrophobia, his abusive father, and becoming too violent.  He then received his new name Four and his journey to adulthood began.  He learned to shed all the people who wanted to form and shape him and instead began to form and shape himself.  He grew to discover that bravery is the highest form of wisdom and that life should be lived without fear.  As he learned about trust, love, and loyalty, he became free.
     Each faction required it's members to conform in dress and behavior and adopt an exaggerated form of virtue.  This narrow-minded thinking sliced away at all the different parts of the individual.  This society could not continue to succeed.

Jaded

      Many centuries ago, a jade stone was thought to be a cure for colic when placed on a baby's stomach.  Jade was also a label for a worn-out mare or woman, often ill-tempered.  We think of jade as an ornamental stone or even a name for boys and girls.  Depending on how you look at it, this word can refer to indigestion, exhaustion, or beauty.  Today, being jaded has a different connotation.
     After being overexposed to certain ideas and manipulations, a person can get burned out and disillusioned.  Once illusions are shattered, new opinions can arise and truth can refresh the mind.  New opinions may not be as comforting and calming as former ideas, but perhaps our security blankets need to be pulled away so that we can adjust to reality.
     Dorothy placed all her hopes in the Wizard of Oz until she found the truth behind the screen.  Then, she realized she had the ability to solve her own problems and find her way in life.  When we get beyond childhood, we can form grownup thoughts.    
     Often people think being jaded is negative and pessimistic, an unhealthy state of mind that blocks out appreciation for the sunny side.  A person can get sick and tired of platitudes and illogical thinking and yearn for the beauty of truth.  Being jaded may just be a step toward shedding illusions and going forward to living in reality.

July News

     On July 4, we remember when America adopted the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776.  Not only are we a free country, but we are also free individuals, free to have independent thoughts and beliefs.  We can choose to agree with others, our family and friends, our pastors and politicians.  Or, we can create our own opinions.
     Be truly free and independent.  Realize that we all have the right and responsibility to think for ourselves.  We should not remain dependent on others to make our decisions.  We are not obligated to keep the same opinions that we have  held in the past.  Value your independence.
     For many people, July provides time for vacations from school and work, time to change our routines and perhaps to have a change of scene or to take a trip to visit extended family.  After a vacation, we can feel refreshed and ready to go back to our everyday lives.
     Celebrate July!