BY HARPER LEE TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND Born Nelle Harper Lee in 1926 Born in Monroeville, Alabama

AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND Father- Amasa Coleman Lee- began practicing law in 1915 Mother- Frances Cunningham Finch Lee Attended Huntington College from

AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND Studied University of Alabama from Attended Oxford for one year Left school to move to New York and pursue a career as a writer

AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND Worked in NY for BOAC airlines First submitted To Kill A Mockingbird for publication in 1957 Worked on revisions for 3 years/ published in 1960

AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND Won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 Never published another novel, but did publish several essays

HISTORICAL CONTEXT Novel takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s Time of the Great Depression Although slavery was abolished in 1863, African Americans were still denied many rights Segregation exists in schools, public bathrooms, busses and many other public places

INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL Background Information GREAT DEPRESSION A period of extreme drought, poverty and hardships during the 1930s. 25% of population had no job Even those with jobs were affected because nothing was being produced Average family income dropped to 50% by 1935 Hundreds of thousands lost homes, farms and possessions Stock Market Crash caused people to lose billions. Entire banks were wiped out and by 1933 over 60% of population was considered poor 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.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT A great deal of discrimination existed in the justice system African Americans were not allowed to be on juries Blacks were often arrested, tried, and convicted with little cause

INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL Background Information Racism and Social Classes 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: Jim Crow Laws (1890s – 1960s)Scottsboro Trials (1931)Social Inequality (Forever)

INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL Background Information 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.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT-THE SOUTH Little opportunity for African Americans to advance themselves Nearly half of all blacks in the South did not receive an education past the 5 th grade Racist groups like the Ku Klux Clan and the Black Shirts terrorized blacks Lynching was still a common practice

Lynchings were popular activities While Lee was writing TKAM…

LITERARY DEVICES- POINT OF VIEW One of the most distinctive characteristics of the novel Scout is our narrator and is between the ages of 6-9 when the story takes place. We see her view of the world when she was this age, but she tells the story in 2 ways: what she believes she saw, heard, felt and thought and her re-evaluation of the events.

LITERARY DEVICES-SETTING Entire story takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama The small town is conservative and traditional Blacks and whites live in separate sections of town Time period is during the years of the Great depression

LITERARY DEVICES-SYMBOLISM The mockingbird is a symbol. As we read, try to decide what it might symbolize. Miss Maudie tells the children “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”

LITERARY DEVICES Motifs- recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that help develop the themes ex: small town life old fashioned values gothic details

LITERARY DEVICES Allusions- references to various places, people, things, historical events, or other works of literature Idioms- expressions or phrases that have meanings different than a literal interpretation would suggest

MAIN CHARACTERS Jean Louise Finch- known as Scout; the narrator of the novel; tomboyish and very bright Jeremy Finch- known as Jem; Scout’s older brother

MAIN CHARATERS Atticus Finch- Scout’s widowed father; works as a lawyer; a model of tolerance and understanding

MAIN CHARACTERS Calpurnia- the Finch’s black housekeeper; has helped to raise the children since the death of their mother Charles Baker Harris- known as Dill; Scout and Jem’s “summer friend” Miss Maudie Atkinson- favorite neighbor of the Finches; speaks to the children as equals

MAIN CHARACTERS Arthur Radley- referred to as “Boo”; the reclusive neighbor that both fascinates and frightens the children Bob Ewell- head of the Ewell family; drunk, unemployed, full of hate & anger Mayella Ewell- eldest daughter of the Ewell’s; responsible for the care of her 7 siblings

MAIN CHARACTERS Tom Robinson- young, hard working black man; has a mangled arm; accused of raping Mayella Ewell

SEMI-AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL 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

THEMES Prejudice and Tolerance Guilt and Innocence Justice Knowledge and Ignorance Courage and Cowardice