To Kill a Mockingbird By 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 Youngest of three children

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 Worked in NY for BOAC airlines 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, but did publish several essays Rumors report that she is working on a second novel

Historical Context Novel takes place in Alabama in the 1930’s Time of the Great Depression Although slavery was abolished in 1863, 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- the South 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

The Scottsboro Trials Many parallels between the trial of Tom Robinson in the novel & the Scottsboro Trials In 1931, 9 young African American males are stopped on a freight train in Alabama They are arrested, tried, and convicted of the rape of two white women The men were pardoned in 1976

Literary Devices- Point of View One of the most distinctive characteristics of the novel The story is told from the perspective of a child who is approx 6 years old when the story begins

Literary Devices-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

Literary Devices-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

Literary Devices Motifs- recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that help develop the themes ex: small town life old fashioned values gothic details

Literary Devices Allusions- references to various places, people, things, historical events, or other works of literature Idioms- expressions or phrases that have meanings different than a literal interpretation would suggest

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

Themes Prejudice and Tolerance Guilt and Innocence Justice Knowledge and Ignorance Courage and Cowardice