On Feb. 3, Harper Lee, the beloved author of the American classic “To Kill A Mockingbird,” broke her 55-year long silence. To the surprise of her fans and the general public alike, the 88-year-old author announced the rediscovery and release of her second novel, “Go Set A Watchman.” Lee penned “Watchman” prior to writing “To Kill A Mockingbird;” it instead features Scout as an adult, recanting the stories of her childhood through flashbacks. While many are rejoicing over Lee’s shocking announcement, valid concerns have developed. This widespread uneasiness stems from the questionable motives of Lee’s lawyer, Tonja Carter, the aging author’s emerging senility and her uncharacteristic break of silence.

In Lee’s announcement, she named Carter the “dear friend” who had rediscovered the novel. Carter, who controls Lee’s estate, recently took over Lee’s affairs. Until checking into a nursing home in 2011, Lee’s older sister Alice served as the author’s lawyer, handling her legal affairs while shielding her from undesired media attention. When the author’s legal matters fell into Carter’s hands, the Lee sisters became involved in a controversy surrounding “The Mockingbird Next Door,” a biography initially approved by the sisters but then disavowed in a statement supposedly written by Harper Lee. Before her death last year, Alice stated that her younger sister “will sign anything put in front of her,” implying that Carter may be taking advantage of the author.

“I think it is odd that Harper Lee is releasing another book because she had made a clear point in earlier years that ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ would be her sole work of art,” said junior Natalie Bevilacqua.

Unfortunately, Alice’s claim is verifiable, as Carter can easily be taking advantage of Harper due to her declining health. According to Alice’s accounts before her death, Harper “can’t see and can’t hear.” Being deaf and blind, Harper’s ability to even write the recent coherent statements surrounding her new novel is almost impossible. This factor, along with the recent death of Alice, is additional evidence that Carter is taking advantage of Harper, typing up statements and having the author sign them without conscious approval.

Harper’s break of silence after 55 years has aroused several suspicions. According to her neighbors, she had continuously stated that she wanted “To Kill A Mockingbird” to be her only novel. Due to her firmness in her desire to keep “To Kill A Mockingbird” as her only legacy, Lee’s uncharacteristic break of silence has produced much of the controversy over this recent announcement.

“It’s better to be silent than to be a fool,” said Harper Lee in 2007.

While Lee’s announcement generated excitement and anticipation within the literary world, the public should be more apprehensive about this release. If Lee is indeed being taken advantage of, fans should recognize the controversy behind “Go Set A Watchman” and that it may just be against Lee’s wishes.