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Readers React: Sorry about the name, Atticus

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To the editor: I can understand some parents of decades past now having second thoughts about naming their sons “Atticus” after revelations regarding the character in Harper Lee’s “new” novel, “Go Set a Watchman.” Atticus is not the patron saint of gentlemanly fatherhood that so many of us built him up to be — he is human, a mere mortal after all. (“Give ‘Atticus’ parents a break,” op-ed, July 23)

But even though Atticus’ daughter becomes disillusioned with her father, and even confrontational, there is rational conversation and dare I say some reconciliation, ultimately, between the two.

Perhaps it is high time that parents strongly consider the name “Scout” for their sons and “Jean Louise” (a.k.a. Scout) for their daughters.

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Stan Seidel, Rancho Palos Verdes

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To the editor: In “Go Set a Watchman,” Atticus is shown as a segregationist but not a member of the Ku Klux Klan. The book is not really a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird” because new characters are introduced — Henry “Hank” Clinton being one of the most important ones. Arthur “Boo” Radley is not even mentioned.

Harper Lee’s writing improved 100% when she wrote “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but reading the other book, it’s hard to believe it’s the same author. Scout swears at her 72-year-old father and threatens him because he is not in favor of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People.

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The book had a couple of amusing parts, but it was a disappointment because it could not compare to the literary brilliance of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Was it published simply for monetary reasons?

Katherine Tripodes, San Marino

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