2. Introduction to the Novel The Main Characters Virgil Tibbs Black Detective from California Extremely intelligent and patient Initially a suspect Treated as lower-class citizen Bill Gillespie Police Chief Extremely incompetent Believes blacks are “lower class” Tasked with solving murder in small town Sam Wood Young Policeman Must work with Virgil Initially racist but changes slightly Falls in love with Duena Mantoli Enrico Mantoli Orchestra conductor for town music festival Found murdered in middle of road by Sam Wood Eric Kaufman Enrico’s manager Close relationship with Duena Murder suspect Endicotts Town councillor who proposed music festival Mantolis are living with them Rich Live just outside Wells Ralph Young man Very racist Night Man at local restaurant Eye-Witness Murder suspect Harvey Oberst Initial murder suspect Mr. Purdy White trash father Very poor Racist Delores Purdy Young girl White Trash Poor Racist

3. Introduction to the Novel Background Information In the Heat of the Night is a murder-mystery that includes several references to historical events. Knowing some information about these events is important to the understanding of the novel.

4. Introduction to the Novel Background Information Southern United States Until the 1970s, the southern United States was a harsh place for black people SEGREGATION: Separation of public areas based on colour (schools, restaurants, hospitals, etc.) The “North” was seen as weak for allowing blacks to have rights Many poor communities within the area Lack of rights for black people The novel takes place during the mid-1960s at a time when the government was attempting to provide the same rights for blacks and whites. Although progress was made in most of the country the American South protested these changes.

5. Introduction to the Novel Background Information Social Inequality The Endicotts White folks of Wells (Wood, Gillespie) The Purdy Family Virgil Tibbs Although Virgil Tibbs was a respected detective in California, in the eyes of the “upper class” within the American South he was the lowest of the low.

6. 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 (1870s – 1960s)Scottsboro Trials (1931)Social Inequality (Forever)

7. 1876 – 1965 Anti African-American legislation Illegal to have shared facilities: washrooms, schools, theatres, restaurants, hotels, trains, buses, etc.

10. Several rules existed and varied from state to state. The more common ones were: Never assert or even hint that a White person is lying. Never imply that a White person has dishonourable intentions.

11. Never suggest that a White person is from an inferior class. Whites did not use courtesy titles of respect when referring to Blacks. Ex. Mr., Mrs., Miss, Sir, Ma’am. Instead, Blacks were called by their first names. Blacks had to use courtesy titles when referring to Whites, and were not allowed to call them by their first names.

12. A Black male could not offer to shake hands with a White male because it implied being socially equal. A Black male could not offer his hand or any other part of his body to a White woman, because he risked being accused of rape.

13. Encouraging relations between Blacks and Whites would produce a mongrel (mixed) race which would destroy America.

14. Whites were superior to Blacks in all important ways: intelligence, morality, and civilized behaviour.

15. The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChWXyeUTKg8

16. On March 25 th, 1931, Victoria Price (19) and Ruby Bates (17) claimed they were gang-raped by 12 black men on a Memphis bound train. Nine black youths on the train were arrested and charged with the crime.

17. Less than two hours after the alleged attack, however, Scottsboro physician Dr. R. R. Bridges examined Price and Bates and found no cuts, bruises, blood, or other injuries consistent with an attack. He reported the women were calm and did not appear to be under stress.

18. Twelve days later, the trial began. Their defence attorney was an alcoholic who was drunk throughout the trial. The prosecutor told the jury, "Guilty or not, let's get rid of these niggers".

19. The case was tried 3 times in court, each time with a guilty verdict. All but 2 of the men served in prison. Five got terms ranging from 75 years to death. Clarence Norris, the oldest defendant and the only one sentenced to death, escaped parole and went into hiding in 1946. He was pardoned in 1976 after he was found, and wrote a book about his experiences. The last surviving defendant died in 1989.

20. On a late, sticky summer’s night in a small town in the Deep South a corpse is headed into the gutter. The local police pick up Virgil Tibbs and are stunned when he turns out to be a homicide detective from California. The police resent a black man telling them what to do but with no witnesses, no clues and no apparent motives, the talented Mr. Tibbs is all they’ve got in trying to solve this brutal and senseless murder.