To Kill a Mockingbird A Novel by Harper Lee

Literary Concepts in Unit Allusion Ambiguity Reference to a statement, a person, a place, or an event from literature, history, religion, mythology, politics, sports, science, or pop culture. An element of uncertainty in a text, in which something can be interpreted in a number of different ways.

Literary Concepts in Unit Diction Euphemism A writer’s or speaker’s choice of words. Denotation— definition Connotation— feelings associated with a word An expression that makes something sound better than it actually is. “Previously-owned vehicle” “Sanitation Engineer”

Literary Concepts in Unit Idiom Imagery A set expression of that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words. “It’s raining cats and dogs!” Any language that appeals to the reader’s five senses.

Literary Concepts in Unit Motivation Point of View The fears or conflicts or needs that drive a character. Vantage point from which a writer tells a story. In broad terms there are three possible points of view: omniscient, first person, and third person limited.

Literary Concepts in Unit Setting Style The time and place of a story or play. The distinctive way an author uses language. Consider… Edgar Allan Poe Lois Lowry Elie Weisel Shakespeare

Literary Concepts in Unit Symbol Person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond itself as well. Consider… Snow in The Giver Bird in “The Scarlet Ibis” Stars in Romeo and Juliet Fire in Night

Literary Concepts in Unit Syntax Theme Grammatical structure of sentences. Central idea of a work of literature. A theme is not the same as a subject.

Rhetorical Concepts in Unit Argument Claim A series of statements in a text designed to convince us of something. The writer’s opinion. What the writer wants to prove.

Rhetorical Concepts in Unit Generalization Broad statement that covers many situations. “If animals can think, they will probably do their best thinking when it serves their purposes, not when some scientist asks them to” from “Can Animals Think?”

Rhetorical Concepts in Unit Logical Appeal Evidence An appeal to one’s sense of intellect. “This makes me think…” Specific, factual information or proof that backs up the reasons in an argument. Statistics, numbers, etc.

Rhetorical Concepts in Unit Emotional Appeal An appeal to one’s emotions. “This makes me feel…” Loaded Words--words loaded with emotional connotations Anecdotes--brief, personal stories

Rhetorical Concepts in Unit Ethical Appeal Establishing credibility as a speaker. “I trust him because…” A speaker can win an audience’s trust with verbal and non- verbal cues.

Rhetorical Concepts in Unit Intent Tone The author’s purpose. What does he/she want us to do with this text? Consider… The Giver Sleeping Freshmen Night Attitude a writer takes toward a subject, a character, or the audience.

Genre: Fiction/Bildungsroman COMING OF AGE This word is German for “coming of age novel.” The narrator will attempt to discover her identity. A coming of age novel is a work about the development of a character into adulthood. The character will have experiences that initiates her into self-awareness.

AUTHOR’S BACKGROUND Harper Lee

Author’s Background Born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926 Born in Monroeville, Alabama, a small city w/ a population of about 7,000 people

Author’s Background Father: Amasa Coleman Lee--began practicing law in 1915 Mother: Frances Cunningham Finch Lee Attended Huntington College from 1944-45

Author’s Background Studied Law @ University of Alabama from 1945-49 Attended Oxford for one year Left school to move to New York and pursue a career as a writer

Author’s Background 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 Is considered a hermit

Historical Context The Scottsboro Trials

Historical Context Novel takes place in Alabama in the 1930’s Time of the Great Depression Although slavery was abolished in 1860s, African Americans were still denied many rights Segregation exists in schools, public bathrooms, busses and many other public places

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

Historical Context Agricultural economy was hit hard by the depression Many white southerners had a romanticized idea of how life should be They felt threatened by change and industrialization

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 5th grade Racist groups like the Ku Klux Clan and the Black Shirts terrorized blacks Lynching was still a common practice

EXIGENCE/PURPOSE EXIGENCE PURPOSE WHAT CAUSES THE AUTHOR TO WRITE WHAT HE/SHE WRITES? PURPOSE WHAT DOES THE AUTHOR WANT US TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION?

The Scottsboro Trials There are many parallels between the trial of Tom Robinson in the novel and the Scottsboro Trials In 1931, 9 young African American males are stopped on a freight train in Alabama

The Scottsboro Trials They are arrested, tried, and convicted of the rape of two white women The men were pardoned in 1976

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 1933-35 during the years of the Great depression

THE TITLE—Symbolism The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence in the novel Miss Maudie tells the children “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they never do harm.

CHARACTERS

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 Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose- mean neighbor of the Finches; often harasses the children Walter Cunningham (Jr. & Sr.)- the poor but noble family who “never took anything they couldn’t pay back” Heck Tate- the town sheriff

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; accuses Tom Robinson of rape

Major Characters Tom Robinson- young, hard working black man; has a mangled arm; accused of raping Mayella Ewell Judge John Taylor- presiding judge in the rape case; sympathetic toward Tom Robinson Dolphus Raymond- local man from a good white family; prefers to live w/ the blacks; lets people think he’s a drunk

Topics/Issues in TKAMB Prejudice and Tolerance Guilt and Innocence Justice Knowledge and Ignorance Courage and Cowardice