In August of 2007, Lee was one of four people inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor. When asked to address the audience, she responded simply: "Well, it's better to be silent than to be a fool."
In an age when people feel compelled to update their Facebook status constantly, Lee kept her thoughts to herself. Not a post, nor a tweet.
With the 2014 publication of "The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee," it appeared that Lee's resolve had softened. Then in February 2015, publisher Harper announced the pending release of her "Go Set a Watchman," even including a rare statement from Lee: "I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years."
No, she did not talk with me. Yes, I would have gladly trumpeted an exclusive interview. But part of me was hoping that she'd stick to her guns and let the singular accomplishment of "Mockingbird" speak for itself.
We have this notion that our heroes — movie stars, athletes or authors — owe us more than just the fruits of their talents; that being a public figure means you are public property. Lee was able to keep her own counsel and, along with friends and relatives, protect her privacy.
I like a scoop as much as the next reporter. But the idea of prying into Lee's life always felt a bit like killing a mockingbird — the bird you leave alone because all it does is sing.
I'm kind of glad she resisted. And, in that slanted-script letter, at least I have something else to remember her by.
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Allen G. Breed is a national writer, based in Raleigh, N.C. He can be reached at
[email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/AllenGBreed.
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