Law and Literature: To Kill a Mockingbird as a Legal Thriller

Abstract

This study carefully analyses J. D. Salinger’s 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye to investigate the historical and close ties between law and literature. Law and literature both have an impact on societal norms, moral values, and notions of justice. Reading literature promotes critical thinking and empathy and challenges social norms. It serves as a mirror for examining legal ideas and moral quandaries. Literature may explore a wealth of topics related to the nature of laws and how they take preceding decisions into account. This link between law and literature is validated by Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Because of its legal aspects, it becomes an engaging addition to the legal thriller genre. The book is praised for its literary quality, but many find it fascinating as a legal thriller story as well. Due to its in-depth analysis of the legal system and its philosophical take on morality, bias, and justice, it has enthralled readers. Harper Lee’s masterwork goes beyond simple narrative to provide insightful analysis of the intricacies of the contemporary legal system. This research looks at how jurisdictive arrangements are rendered, examining the drama in the courtroom and the struggles of the actors against social injustices. It also demonstrates how the book enthralls readers as a gripping murder mystery in addition to being a literary masterpiece. Atticus’s defence of Tom presents a challenge to the careful scrutiny of the judicial proceedings surrounding Tom Robinson’s trial and the broader societal background of racial tensions in 1930s Alabama. In the book, Atticus stands in contrast to the darkness of prejudice and perverse social ideals as a moral beacon.