Dang.

Tom Robinson was found guilty. Again.

Every time I read or watch “To Kill a Mockingbird“  I have the utterly irrational hope that, in this particular version or edition or print, the jury will recognize the cruel, racist absurdity behind the charges against Tom Robinson and acquit him.

And yet attorney Atticus Finch — one of the most admirable characters in  contemporary fiction — is now 0 for 5 as I’m reading the 1960 novel with my 7th graders.

You’d think a lot of parents would have named their sons “Atticus” after this wise, compassionate, stoic man. According to the chart generated by the Baby Name Wizard, however, “Atticus” didn’t crack the top 1000 until this decade. And, interestingly, though it’s still not particularly popular (689th in 2008), it’s now more popular than it’s ever been.