To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Historical and Background Information

Harper Lee Born Nelle Harper Lee on 28th April 1926 in Monroeville Alabama. Her father was a lawyer. She studied law at the University of Alabama 1945-49, but left before finishing to pursue a literacy career.

Harper Lee In 1957 she submitted the manuscript of her novel but she was told that it consisted of a series of short stories strung together, and she was urged to rewrite it. For the next two and a half years she reworked the manuscript and in 1960 To Kill a Mockingbird was published. The novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. Despite the success of the novel Lee never published another book in her lifetime.

The Great Depression A worldwide economic downturn starting in America with a major stock market crash on 29th October 1929 which became known as Black Tuesday. Many shares suddenly became worthless and poverty swept the country. The public lost confidence in the economy and spending levels decreased. This resulted in drastically falling production levels and drastically rising unemployment.

Alabama – Lee’s Home State

Alabama in the 1930s By the early 20th century, every southern state had passed laws that created two separate societies; one black, the other white. This was called SEGREGATION Blacks and whites could not use the same waiting rooms and blacks were barred from many hospitals. They could not share water fountains or schools and had to sit in separate sections on public transportation

Slavery and Racism In the early 20th Century tens of thousands of convicts, mostly black men, were caught up in a racist justice system. Until nearly 1930, Alabama was providing convicts to businesses, who would work in the fields and mines. Nearly two decades after slavery was abolished in America, men were dying as slaves in a prison work scheme that benefited southern states and businesses.

The Civil Rights Movement Although it was almost 100 years since slavery was abolished in America black people were still being treated as second class citizens. Blacks, who had fought for their country during WWII, were starting to demand more civil rights, such as their right to vote and the desegregation of society. The black Civil Rights Movement took on new strength and Alabama was an important centre in this movement. To Kill a Mockingbird was written in 1960 at the beginning of the black Civil Rights Movement.

Characters Scout (Jean Louise Finch) Atticus Finch narrator Story begins when she is 6 and finishes when she is 9 Tomboy who would rather fight than talk The book is her BILDUNGSROMAN or “coming of age” that follows her growth and maturity Atticus Finch Father to Scout and Jem Attorney in Maycomb, Alabama Very moral and upstanding Represents Tom Robinson in a trial he will probably lose

Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch) Scout’s older brother (ages 10-13 in the story) Scout’s protector and a best friend Calpurnia African American woman The Finch’s housekeeper who looks after the children Closest thing to a mother that Scout and Jem have Teaches Scout to write Dill (Charles Baker Harris) Jem and Scout’s friend who is visiting Maycomb for the summer

Aunt Alexandra Miss Maudie Atkinson Boo Radley Atticus’s sister who lives at Finch’s landing, the family homestead She moves in with the family during Tom Robinson’s trial Very concerned with Scout becoming a “lady” Miss Maudie Atkinson Lives across the street from the Finch’s and is an avid gardener One of the few open minded people in Maycomb Boo Radley Reclusive next door neighbor of the Finch’s Rarely comes outside and the children never see him Is considered to be mean and scary, but surprises Scout.

Themes Prejudice Racism Loneliness Courage Innocence Growing Up Coexistence of Good and Evil Gaining Understanding Importance of Moral Education