To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Setting Story takes place during the Great Depression: 10/29/1929 – Black Tuesday– stock market crashed; worst economic disaster in U.S. history; banks failed, money lost value, businesses closed 15 million unemployed – 30 billion dollars lost President Herbert Hoover underestimated seriousness; said crisis would last 60 days; ridiculed by Americans: “Hooverville” “Hoover cart” “Hoover flag”

Setting Franklin Delano Roosevelt offers Americans a New Deal & wins Presidency in a landslide victory in 1932 New Deal 4 day bank holiday – helped stabilize banking system Created legislation to assist those in poverty, those unemployed, and minorities Brought government involvement into caring for the needy and regulating the economy “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” FDR Speech

1930s Maycomb, Alabama

Virtually landlocked – slow to respond to change So isolated that population’s beliefs and traditions are slow to change Rural area – poor and undeveloped Whites – mostly poor farmers; Blacks – mostly field workers and house servants separation of blacks and whites in all aspects of life Segregation – enforced separation of blacks and whites in all aspects of life

Jim Crow Laws Refers to any of the laws that enforced racial segregation in the U.S. South; named after “Jim Crow,” a minstrel routine – it became a derogatory term for blacks and their segregated lives

Jim Crow

Jim Crow Laws Examples of Jim Crow Laws -separate waiting rooms at trains and bus stations -separate toilet facilities -separate schools for children -interracial marriage illegal and not recognized -separate dining areas -separate entrances at hospitals -no interchanging of books -separate seating in all public arenas

Jim Crow Laws

To Kill a Mockingbird Released Published and released in 1960 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement : refers to the reform movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans

Civil Rights Movement 1954 – Brown vs. Board of Education – outlawed racial segregation in schools – overturned “separate but equal” laws 1955 – Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat at the front of a bus – her arrest results in a year-long bus boycott, led by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civil Rights Movement 1957 – Nine black students prevented from integrating Central High School in Little Rock, AK per the governor’s orders – President Eisenhower orders the National Guard to intervene on behalf of the students who become known as The Little Rock Nine.

Civil Rights Movement 1963 – Martin Luther King arrested for protests in Birmingham, Alabama. He writes his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” here – argues that individuals have a moral obligation to disobey unjust laws 1963 – King delivers his “I Have a Dream Speech” to more than 200,000 in Washington, D.C. : MLK Speech

Civil Rights Movement 1963 – 4 young girls killed at Sunday school when a bomb explodes at their Baptist Church in Alabama, a popular gathering place for civil rights meetings 1964 – President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act, most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction - prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. The law also provides the federal government with the powers to enforce desegregation.

Civil Rights Movement April 4, Martin Luther King, at age 39, is shot as he stands on the balcony outside his hotel room. Escaped convict and committed racist James Earl Ray is convicted of the crime. MLK Tribute

Question: Considering the time period that this book was published and the time that the story is set, why do you think this book was both a critical and popular success?

Harper Lee vs. Scout Finch Harper LeeScout Finch 1930s - Monroeville, AL1930s – Maycomb, AL Both fathers were small town lawyers Both were avid readers – too smart for their own good Both young girls at time of controversial rape trials involving black men

Symbolism Mockingbird – mainly found in the South, this pale gray and white bird is known for its beautiful song characterized by repeated notes and phrases. Its gift for imitation is how it got its name. Atticus – from the Greek, meaning Athenian…responsible for instituting democratic laws in Athens Calpurnia – 3 rd wife of Julius Caesar – noted for her faithfulness but had no children of her own

Accolades Won the Pulitzer Prize and sold over 15 million copies 1962 – Film of the novel won Oscar for Best Picture, and Gregory Peck won Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Atticus Finch Harper Lee never published another novel and became very reclusive, rarely granting interviews. She claims to have told her story. Was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her cultural contribution to the U.S. Hey, Boo

Hoover Hotel

Hooverville

Hoover Flag

Hoover Cart

Hoover Child