Since it’s Friday, I thought I’d take your LSAT prep mind off of those Reading Comprehension passages and onto a piece of literature a bit more enticing: To Kill A Mockingbird. One of the most famous American novels of all time, To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, has recently been the center point of a big lawsuit. The novel, published in 1960, revolves around racial injustice and the destruction of innocence in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. The narrator’s father, Atticus Finch, has not only served as a moral hero for many readers, but also stands as the model of integrity and justice for many lawyers today. I’m pretty sure we all had to read this amazing novel somewhere in our schooling, but if the story is at all fading for you, I’d really recommend using it as productive leisure time from your LSAT prep.”
Harper Lee recently sued the County Heritage Museum in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama (said to be the place she based Maycomb on) for illegally using her notoriety for its own gain. The lawsuit filed a few weeks ago reads that the Monroe County Heritage Museum has “generated over $500,000 in revenue for 201.”
…But [sic] its actual work does not touch upon history. Rather, its primary mission is to trade upon the fictional story, settings and characters that Harper Lee created.””
Lee and her associates seem to be upset with her town’s capitalization upon the fame of To Kill A Mockingbird. Monroeville’s town logo has the image of a mockingbird against the roof of a courthouse, clearly an homage to the novel. Lee’s attorneys have said that the museum blocked an earlier attempt of hers to halt unauthorized commercial use of the novel.”
If you’re interested in looking further into the case, it’s Lee v. Monroe Country Heritage Museum, Inc. (1:13-cv-490). It’s a good idea to start getting used to reading cases, as that will be the majority of your life soon once you are in law school. Cases read differently from other texts. Legal writing is concise and dense; somewhat similar to the legal passages you come upon during your Reading Comprehension practice in your LSAT prep.”
Anyway, hope you found that interesting. I encourage you to nab a used copy of the book and read it over this weekend. Not only will it be an entertaining way to pass the time, but it will also actually help your focus and endurance on your Reading Comprehension passages.”
Have a great weekend!”
Happy Studying!”