“I don’t think Tom Robinson is the only ‘Mockingbird’.”

My opinion was hesitant, not sure whether it was formed from facts or assumptions. Mr Humphries, my English Literature lecturer, nodded his head, urging me to go on.

“I think that Lee was trying to put forward the idea that Mayella was a ‘Mockingbird’ too. You can’t help the family you’re born into. Society labels you from the start and restricts you; she couldn’t be a respected citizen of Maycomb if she wanted to.” I paused for a dramatic effect. “Maybe we’re all victims – to prejudice. It’s even worse because we’re all judges ourselves. We are society, right? That’s almost... Hypocritical.”

He broke into a huge grin, and Jongup turned to look at me, silently mouthing ‘Who are you sometimes?’ Mr Humphries wrote ‘who is right, Mayella or Tom? To what extent?’ in huge letters on the chalkboard. “I want to see that in your essay. Along with contextual evidence. There’s more examples of this in the chapter with Miss Gates, talking about democracies.” He nodded. “I think you’re getting the hang of this. Observe everybody. Original ideas! Well done Junhong.”