To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - is it an optimistic or pessimistic novel?

When searching for optimism or pessimism in a novel, one of the first things taken into account is the title. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, is one of those books where the title gives nothing away, and is not understood until you have read the story. This book, first published in 1960, is in fact neither an optimistic, nor pessimistic novel. However, it shows detailed examples of each, shown in different parts of the storyline.
<Tab/>One of the first optimistic points that can be found in this novel is found in Scout and Jem's father, Atticus Finch. There are many ti…