To Kill a Mockingbird Introductory Notes

The Novel Written in 1960 Written in 1960 Spent 80 weeks on best seller list Spent 80 weeks on best seller list Won Pulitzer Prize in 1961 Won Pulitzer Prize in 1961 Became Oscar-winning movie in 1962 Became Oscar-winning movie in million copies in print, translated in 40 different languages 30 million copies in print, translated in 40 different languages

Harper Lee Nelle Harper Lee Nelle Harper Lee Born in Alabama, 1926 Born in Alabama, 1926 This is Lee’s first and only novel This is Lee’s first and only novel

Parallels LeeScout Grew up in small Alabama town Grew up in small Alabama town Every summer, Truman Capote came to visit Every summer, Truman Capote came to visit Father was a lawyer Father was a lawyer Was considered a “tomboy” Was considered a “tomboy” A recluse A recluse Setting is small Alabama town Setting is small Alabama town Every summer Dill came to visit Every summer Dill came to visit Atticus is a lawyer Atticus is a lawyer Does not like to be called a girl Does not like to be called a girl Lives next to Boo Radley, a recluse Lives next to Boo Radley, a recluse

Novel Background The story begins in summer 1933 and ends Halloween night 1935 The story begins in summer 1933 and ends Halloween night 1935 Country is in the midst of the Great Depression Country is in the midst of the Great Depression Maycomb is a very poor county Maycomb is a very poor county Professionals don’t make much b/c clients can’t afford to pay them Professionals don’t make much b/c clients can’t afford to pay them Maycomb is slow to respond to change- newcomers and new ideas are not easily accepted Maycomb is slow to respond to change- newcomers and new ideas are not easily accepted

Life in the 1930s

1930’s - Great Depression Businesses failed, factories closed 13 million Americans were out of work Even people with money suffered because nothing was being produced for sale. Poor people lost their homes, were forced to “live off the land.” 750,000 farmers lost their land.

Racial Prejudices Slavery ended in 1864, but the Civil Rights movement did not begin until the 1950’s Slavery ended in 1864, but the Civil Rights movement did not begin until the 1950’s Many African Americans were forced by circumstance (not by law) to take menial jobs (housekeeper, cook, janitor, etc.) Many African Americans were forced by circumstance (not by law) to take menial jobs (housekeeper, cook, janitor, etc.)

Legal Issues of the 1930’s which impact the story Women given the vote in 1920 Women given the vote in 1920 Juries were MALE and WHITE Juries were MALE and WHITE “Fair trial” did not include acceptance of a black man’s word against a white man’s “Fair trial” did not include acceptance of a black man’s word against a white man’s

Racial separation (segregation)

Gender Prejudices Women were considered “weak” Women were generally not educated for occupations outside the home In wealthy families, women were expected to oversee the servants and entertain guests Men not considered capable of nurturing children

Social Prejudices “White Trash” “White Trash” Poor, uneducated white people who lived on “relief “ Poor, uneducated white people who lived on “relief “ lowest social class, even below the poor blacks lowest social class, even below the poor blacks prejudiced against black people prejudiced against black people felt the need to “put down” blacks in order to elevate themselves felt the need to “put down” blacks in order to elevate themselves

Historical Parallels The Scottsboro Boys In 1931, The trial of the nine falsely accused teens would draw North and South into their sharpest conflict since the Civil War, yield two momentous Supreme Court decisions and give birth to the Civil Rights Movement. In 1931, The trial of the nine falsely accused teens would draw North and South into their sharpest conflict since the Civil War, yield two momentous Supreme Court decisions and give birth to the Civil Rights Movement.

The Scottsboro Boys March 25: In the depths of the Depression, a fight breaks out between white and black young men who are riding as hoboes on a Southern Railroad freight train. The train is stopped by an angry posse in Paint Rock, Alabama, and nine black youths are arrested for assault. Rape charges are added, following accusations from two white women who have also come off the train, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. The accused are taken to Scottsboro, Alabama, the Jackson County seat. The women are examined by Drs. R. R. Bridges and Marvin Lynch. March 25: In the depths of the Depression, a fight breaks out between white and black young men who are riding as hoboes on a Southern Railroad freight train. The train is stopped by an angry posse in Paint Rock, Alabama, and nine black youths are arrested for assault. Rape charges are added, following accusations from two white women who have also come off the train, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. The accused are taken to Scottsboro, Alabama, the Jackson County seat. The women are examined by Drs. R. R. Bridges and Marvin Lynch.Victoria PriceRuby BatesVictoria PriceRuby Bates

Scottsboro Boys, contd. 8 of the boys are sentenced to death 8 of the boys are sentenced to death The other boy was 13; 11 jurors voted death, one life in prison – a hung jury The other boy was 13; 11 jurors voted death, one life in prison – a hung jury A letter surfaces from one of the “victims” written to her boyfriend in which she denies being raped. She later testifies in court that both girls were lying A letter surfaces from one of the “victims” written to her boyfriend in which she denies being raped. She later testifies in court that both girls were lying Even after her testimony, boys still sentenced to death Even after her testimony, boys still sentenced to death

Scottsboro Boys, contd. A mob of white men tried to break into the jail where the boys were being held A mob of white men tried to break into the jail where the boys were being held

Genre Bildungsroman Bildungsroman A “coming of age” novel A “coming of age” novel Scout, narrator, is six when novel begins Scout, narrator, is six when novel begins Story follows Scout over three years as she learns about herself, society, and her family Story follows Scout over three years as she learns about herself, society, and her family