By Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird

Author (Nelle) Harper Lee Born April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama Where racial tension was high. Attended public schools, then Huntington College Later studied law at the U. of Alabama, but didn’t complete work for a law degree

Author Her studies of law may be reflected in her writing style; every event is narrated with a straightforward and clear, simple approach The father in this novel is a lawyer; Lee’s own father and a sister practiced law in her hometown

Author Began writing at the age of seven; never tried to publish anything until she met a literary agent in New York City who advised her to submit some serious writing; she gave him two essays and three short stories; the agent suggested that she expand one of the stories into a full-length book

Author The result was her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 Book was made into an Academy award-winning movie starring Gregory Peck

Autobiography Elements Harper Lee Scout Finch Born in Monroeville, Alabama Born in Maycomb, Alabama Grew up in 1930s Father was a lawyer Father (Atticus) is a lawyer Mother’s maiden name = Finch Last name = Finch

Point of View TKAM is told in the first person, from the point of view of Scout Finch, a young girl. The story is not told by the younger Scout finch. It is told by an older Scout, looking back. However, the point of view is mostly a first-person limited one; that is, limited to the knowledge of the younger Scout. In this way, the narration presents a sort of “doubled”perspective on the events.

Point of View 1st Person Narrative Problems Believe person can observe and report accurately Innocent narrator (also adds to greatness of novel) Can’t use words, ideas, etc., that are beyond her years

Point of View 1st Person Narrative Positives Innocent, naïve manner adds meaning and enjoyment She has not yet modified her view of right and wrong as defined by society (including prejudices) She represents the feeling of confusion we have when we see justice being destroyed by prejudice

Themes Coming of Age – learning experiences while growing up (Jem and Scout) Education – inside and outside the classroom; more emphasis on life experiences Bravery/Cowardice – BOTH physically and through the heart (inner worth and strength)

Themes 4. Prejudice a. race b. class – social hierarchy c. gender – typical “Southern woman” syndrome d. others – each time a character (or person) makes decisions about others before all the facts are understood e. superstition – fear and ignorance (these also feed prejudice)

Themes 5. Mockingbird – harmless member of society; innocent, yet in some way persecuted by society

Viewpoints of the Times (novel begins in the summer of 1933) Views on race – whites’ “responsibility” to care for blacks View on social class and ranking – “white trash” (Ewells)

Historical Background Civil War – lasting effects Reconstruction Economies Feelings about civil rights Jim Crow laws Great Depression Scottsboro Trial Nine black teenagers were accused of rape in Alabama in 1931. The case includes a frameup, all-white jury, rushed trials, an attempted lynching, angry mob, and miscarriage of justice.

TKAM in Pop Culture In DC Comics continuity, it has been established that To Kill a Mockingbird is Superman's favorite book and movie. In the 2002 film Mr. Deeds, Winona Ryder's character, Babe Bennett, alludes to Boo Radley in an attempt to lie about her past. When Babe goes into a building, she says hello to 'Mrs. Finch and her pet Atticus', a reference to Atticus Finch. The 3rd episode of the 2010 TV series Pretty Little Liars the name was changed to, "To Kill A Mocking Girl“ In one episode of The Simpsons Homer says, "I'll have to read Marge's book and I swore never to read again after To Kill a Mockingbird gave me no useful advice on killing Mockingbirds! It did teach me not to judge a man by the color of his skin, but what good does that do me?“ Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named their second child Scout, reportedly after the character in the novel. In 2001, Blink-182 band members Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge created the clothing line Atticus Clothing, named after the character in this book. Similarly, the female line of the brand is called Scout. The brand's logo is a dead bird