To Kill a Mockinbird Introductory Notes

Activator What does integrity mean to you? What morals do you believe in that you would never back down from defending?

Plot, Setting, & Character Development The main events that make up the beginning, middle and end of a story. Understand WHAT HAPPENS in a story is crucial to figuring out WHY things happen. What is PLOT? Essentially the setting is WHERE and WHEN the story takes place. To Kill A Mockingbird uses the setting of southern Alabama, the town of Maycomb and the courtroom to develop the story What is SETTING? As the characters develop we see changes that are reflections of the plot. As things happen they learn things and move on, hopefully keeping the reader’s interest in the process. What is CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT?

Theme, Vocabulary, Critical Thinking and History Goals of Unit Theme, Vocabulary, Critical Thinking and History Theme refers to the main idea and the purpose of the work. What is the novel trying to accomplish and/or teach the reader? What is THEME? To Kill A Mockingbird makes use of many words that you may not know. If you do not know the word you will not be able to understand the plot, setting, characters or theme. Therefore, this unit will focus on regular vocabulary improvement. Improve VOCABULARY! You will learn how to question why authors make decisions about the words they use, the decisions of the characters and the events of the plot and how these things tell the reader an important message. Think CRITICALLY! This novel makes mention of many historical aspects that require some knowledge in order for the novel to make complete sense. Therefore we will discuss some of the history within the novel before and during our study of To Kill A Mockingbird. Learn HISTORY!

Introduction to the Novel To help your understanding of the novel you will be first introduced to: Characters Plot Events Background Information Themes & Symbols The Author

Characters to Know intelligent, curious, has frequent Scout Finch – (Jean Louise) – precocious, intelligent, curious, has frequent clashes with adults. Jem Finch—(Jeremy) 4 yrs. older. Smart, idolizes his father.

Characters Dill – (Charles Baker Harris) – 7 yrs. old, is proud of the fact he can read. Staying with his gossipy Aunt Rachel this summer. Parents? -- loves acting out plays, is obsessed with making Boo Radley come out. -- is reported to be based on Truman Capote.

Characters Atticus Finch – lawyer, single father. Parenting does not come naturally – wife died of a heart attack when Jem was young. Does his best. Wants to protect his children from ugly truths of reality. What’s his flaw?

Characters Calpurnia – (Cal) – cook, cleans for Finches. Atticus respects her opinion, expects children to mind her as they would a mother – she IS their mother figure. Has a family of her own. -- has frequent conflicts with Scout.

Characters Bob Ewell – Chief antagonist – “trash” – spends his welfare money on whiskey instead of food for his 8 children. Wife gone. Daughter Mayella accuses Tom Robinson of rape.

Characters Tom Robinson – accused of raping Mayella. Has a wife and children. His trial will be centerpiece of 2nd half of book.

Characters Boo Radley – 30s – has not been seen since he committed a violent action against his father as a teenager. He is “the malevolent phantom” of the first half of the book; plot revolves around children making contact.

Introduction to the Novel Plot Sequence Introduction to the Novel The “Boo Radley” Plot Introduction to the characters including the Finch family history, “Scout” and Jem, “Dill” Harris and the interesting history of Arthur “Boo” Radley Development of the children’s antics in their pursuit of “Boo” Radley, which includes dares and games to get his attention. During this part Atticus Finch warns the children to not judge “Boo” – they need to live life in his shoes. Children trespass on Radley property and are shot at, causing Jem to lose his pants. This further develops “Boo’s” character as we witness his actions.

Introduction to the Novel Plot Sequence The “Tom Robinson” Plot A white woman, Mayella Ewell, is raped. She accuses Tom Robinson, a black man. Atticus Finch agrees to defend Robinson, which angers and upsets Maycomb. Maycomb is furious about trial and collectively wants to lynch Robinson. Finch faces uphill battle based on black’s position in society. Trial becomes one-sided despite clear evidence in favour of Robinson. Robinson was in relationship with Ewell according to factual evidence but nonetheless, Robinson found guilt and sentenced to death. Robinson, clearly innocent, tries to escape the jail and is shot to death Ewell family attacks the Finch family due to the “shame and humilation” Atticus Finch subjected them to during the trial..

Introduction to the Novel Plot Sequence Connecting the Two Plots Over the course of the novel, Dill, “Scout” and Jem continue to build a relationship with “Boo” Radley, trying to get him to come out of the house during the day After the trial of Tom Robinson, the actions of Bob Ewell, (father of “victim” Mayella Ewell, progress from menacing the Finch family to breaking into the judge’s house until he finally attacks Jem and “Scout”. “Boo” Radley save Jem and “Scout” and Bob Ewell dies. “Boo” is then forced to return to hiding in the Radley house “Scout” finally understands what her father said about not judging a person and this reinforces her belief in the ultimate goodness of man.

Introduction to the Novel Exploring Themes Introduction to the Novel Moral reasoning by Atticus Finch Acts of “Boo” Radley Loss of innocence Acts of the Ewell family: deception, harassment, lies and violence Good vs. Evil Perspective: Life in someone else’s shoes Atticus Finch defending Tom Robinson “Boo” Radley and his background Morals: Right and Wrong The treatment of Tom Robinson Racial divide between blacks and whites during time period Treatment of whites who defend blacks Social Inequality, Racism and Discrimination

Introduction to the Novel Exploring Symbols Introduction to the Novel …Be on the lookout for: SYMBOL: A word or object that represents another word or object Small-Town Life “Boo” Radley Mockingbirds / Birds What do these symbols represent!?

Introduction to the Novel Background Information Introduction to the Novel To Kill A Mockingbird includes several references to historical events. Knowing some information about this events is important for understanding the novel.

Introduction to the Novel Background Information Even those with jobs were affected because nothing was being produced Average family income dropped to 50% by 1935 25% of population had no job GREAT DEPRESSION Stock Market Crash caused people to lose billions. Entire banks were wiped out and by 1933 over 60% of population was considered poor Hundreds of thousands lost homes, farms and possessions A period of extreme drought, poverty and hardships during the 1930s. The novel takes place during the mid-1930s at a time when the government was attempting to stop the Great Depression. The President at the time, Franklin Roosevelt, famously said, “the only thing to fear is fear itself” as his government created programs to create jobs, house the homeless and feed the starving.

Introduction to the Novel Background Information Although slavery was abolished in the 1890s racism and discrimination were alive and well during the time of the novel. The novel is based on many historical facts that help to drive the story, (and allow the readers to explore a sad time in American history) including: Racism and Social Classes Jim Crow Laws (1890s – 1960s) Scottsboro Trials (1931) Social Inequality (Forever)

Introduction to the Novel Background Information Introduction to the Novel Wealthy White Town/Country People “White Trash” Black People Social Inequality The Finches White folks of Maycomb & Maycomb County The Ewell Family Tom Robinson Even the law was one-sided: Juries were always all-white and all-male. The word of a black man meant nothing against the word of a white man.

Introduction to the Novel About the Author Introduction to the Novel To Kill A Mockingbird is semi-autobiographical for a number of reasons: Lee grew up in Alabama Father was prominent lawyer Experienced Great Depression, Scottsboro Trials “Scout” based on her life; “Dill” based on life of childhood friend Truman Capote

Things to Consider While Reading The first time you read the novel should be to get a general idea of the setting, characters, plot and themes. However, because this novel can be difficult you are provided with some things to think about while reading that will help you understand the novel.

Things to Consider While Reading Important Quotes Things to Consider While Reading As you read be on the lookout for these important quotes from the novel: “Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father's right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” -Atticus Finch “Neighbours bring food with death, and flowers with sickness, and little things in between. Boo was our neighbour. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives.” -”Scout” Finch “Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand… I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough…” -Atticus Finch