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Harper Lee Draft

Go Set a Watchman was first presented as a manuscript to Lee’s agent in the spring of 1957. Therese van Hohoff Torrey, otherwise known as Tay Hohoff, was an editor at the publishing company and an admirer of Lee’s work. However, Ms. Hohoff did not believe that it was ready for publication. Under Hohoff’s direction, Lee’s work would eventually be shaped and published under the name To Kill a Mockingbird.

Those who argue that Watchman is merely a predecessor claim that the original title is a reflection of a biblical verse,  “And the Lord said: Go set a watchman. Let him announce what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6).

Baptist minister Wayne Flint, a longtime friend to Lee, states that “Nelle (Harper Lee) probably likened Monroeville to Babylon. the Babylon of immoral voices, the hypocrisy, somebody needs to be set as the watchman to identify what we need to do to get out of the mess.”

Flint states that Atticus Finch is the watchman of Maycomb, Alabama. He is the embodiment of righteousness and leads the people of Maycomb along a moral path.

Lee’s use of biblical reference in the title was a normality for the Southern literary renaissance. It was changed due to the fear that the title would hold little significance outside of Southern culture, where there was considerably less biblical literacy.

As an internationally renowned author after the success of To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee had the capability to produce work entitled to her own liking. Hence why her second published novel dawns the name intended for her first work.

According to Flynt, the verse is God’s instruction to the Hebrews to set a watchman to keep on the right path.

Nelle Harper Lee was a “sawed-off but solid tomboy with an all-hell-let-loose wrestling technique”.

Many considered her a bully, relying on herself with a strong sense of independance. She would talk back to teachers and wore a scruffy pair of overalls.

Nelle’s father, who inspired her infamous character Atticus Finch, was the son of a Civil War verteran

Nelle is the name of her maternal grandmother, Ellen Finch, spelled backwards.

In order to write her book, The Mockingbird Next Door, Mills rented the house next door to Nelle and her sister Alice.

In a 1991 survey conducted by the Library of Congress, readers were asked to list which book had the most influence in their lives. To Kill a Mockingbird ranked second, being surpassed only by the bible.

Biography
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