1. Historical Criticism and Social Justice
A Profile of the Ewells and the idea of Hidden racism

2. What is Historical Criticism
A study of literary criticism in which critics look at a text for the historical context in which it was written.
In this case, the novel was written by Harper Lee in 1962, but Lee was born in
This means that many of the plot points in the novel (the lynch mobs, Tom’s trial and outcome, etc.) are a reflection of the period in which Lee grew up.

3. The Theme of Social justice
Remember that themes are the main ideas found within a text or film.
That being said, Social Justice is:
This is the equitable distribution of things like: wealth, opportunities for success, and privilege.
It implies that every man and woman has the equal right to various privileges and opportunities, regardless of who they are or where they came from.

4. Who Are the Ewells?
Images from:

5. Bob Ewell Poor man. Lives near the town dump.
Has lots of children who all drop out of school.
Drinks a lot.
Has a bad temper, and is known to get violent.

6. Mayella Ewell Scout calls her the “loneliest person in the world”.
Uneducated
Oldest of the Ewell children
Desperately wants to be loved
Does not have any concept of a “friend”

7. Direct vs Indirect characterization
When an author TELLS you about a character’s personality.
When an author SHOWS you things about a character’s personality, and you have to give that trait a name.

8. Indirect Characterization

9. Characterization
In film, we almost always see nothing but Indirect Characterization, since it’s the use of Speech, Thoughts (voice-overs), Effect on Others (how other people respond to things the character does), Actions and Looks.

10. Example of Direct Characterization
“…Mayella Ewell must have been the loneliest person in the world. She was even lonelier than Boo Radley, who had not been out of the house in twenty-five years.”
-p. 256, To Kill A Mockingbird