Harper Lee wrote "To Kill A Mockingbird" without knowing it would become a classic or have such a significant impact on her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. The novel has brought attention to the town and attracted tourists, while also sparking discussions about the history of racial segregation in the south. "To Kill A Mockingbird" follows two children in a fictional southern town, whose father, an attorney, defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. Even though the man is not guilty, he is found guilty by a jury made up entirely of white people. Some of the most impactful parts of the book occur when the children come to understand that their father's fight was ultimately futile. Released in 1960, the book quickly gained widespread popularity and critical acclaim. It received the Pulitzer Prize, has sold over 30 million copies, and the film adaptation starring Gregory Peck is considered a timeless masterpiece. However, the success of the book can only reveal so much about its true significance. American readers frequently mention it as the novel they prefer the most. In a survey of readers, it was ranked as the second most influential book after the Bible. Library Journal named it the best novel of the 20th century. Each spring, numerous tourists visit Monroeville to see places related to Harper Lee's life, the book, and the courthouse featured in the movie. They also attend a stage version of the novel. Act One occurs outdoors at the court grounds, but Act Two shifts the audience and actors indoors to the original oval-shaped courthouse where the story is based. This setting provides a unique opportunity for the drama to unfold with the audience, judge, lawyers, and defendant mirroring their roles in a real trial. The black cast members are segregated to the gallery, reflecting the era of segregation. The audience is captivated by witnessing injustice, while the volunteer actors use the annual productions to contemplate the message of the book. Robert Champion, a detective with the Monroeville police department who portrays Boo Radley in the novel, emphasized that the experience has taught him the importance of not judging people. He believes in being tolerant of others while being intolerant of injustice. To prepare for his role, Champion spoke with individuals who were familiar with the real-life person that the character in the book is based on. According to Jane Ellen Clark from the Monroeville County Heritage Museum, Harper Lee may have drawn inspiration from a true rape trial that occurred in Monroeville's old courtroom. In 1934, Walter Lett, a black man, was wrongly accused of raping a white woman and sentenced to death. Recent findings reveal that white citizens had anonymously written to the governor of Alabama to express that Lett had been falsely accused. Lett's sentence was changed to life in prison and he passed away from tuberculosis in 1937 in a state prison, according to Clark. George Thomas Jones, a former businessman who now writes local history, was classmates with Lee and remembers her as a tomboy similar to Scout, the novel's narrator. Jones, who is 81 years old, mentioned that he could comprehend why the all-white juries during that time would have found the defendant guilty in such cases. He stated that individuals were often labeled as 'nigger lovers' and would face social and economic consequences regardless of the circumstances. Jones stated that during the '20s and '30s, despite injustices against blacks, relations between blacks and whites were in some ways better at that time. He believed that the social climate had been misunderstood, noting that there was mutual respect and no racial problems at that time. Jones mentioned that people who were good at heart on both sides had no issue getting along. While Alabama saw major struggles during the civil rights movement, Monroeville quietly desegregated its public facilities. Residents noted that the most significant change was in school desegregation. Mary Tucker, who relocated to the town in 1954 and worked at both black and integrated schools, stated that the absence of protest did not indicate that blacks were not resentful of segregation. She emphasized that despite the segregation and oppression, there were always individuals who strived to be fair, similar to Harper Lee's portrayal of Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird. Tucker noted that there were always a few good people who aimed to do what was right. Lee, now 81, continues to reside in Monroeville part-time but is seldom spotted in public. Tucker described Nelle as humble and modest, mentioning that you might see her in casual clothing at the grocery store. He also noted that she is quite reserved.