The master behind the masterpiece Harper Lee The master behind the masterpiece

Who is she? Born: April 28, 1926. Birthplace: Monroeville, Alabama Youngest of four children Her father was a lawyer Nelle Harper Lee was a tomboy as a child

Nelle Harper Lee Childhood friend of writer Truman Capote A young precocious reader, Lee was only five years old when the tragic Scottsboro Trials took place. To Kill a Mockingbird is the only novel Lee ever wrote.

Scottsboro Boys Occurred in 1931 in Scottsboro, Alabama Nine (9) Black boys were accused of a gang rape on two white homeless women while riding a freight train from Chattanooga to Huntsville. The trial went to the Supreme Court twice. Eight of the men were convicted (found guilty) and sentenced to death for the rape.

Scottsboro Boys Continued… Jim Crow laws: understood laws created for blacks pertaining to the way they interacted in a “white society.” These Jim Crow laws kept black men from having fair trials. Eventually all eight (8) men had their death sentence lifted. In 1975 (45 yrs later), Governor Wallace issued a pardon to the last remaining Scottsboro Boy.

Harper Lee Continued… Studied law at the University of Alabama Spent a year at Oxford University Did not pursue a legal career—moved to New York where she worked for an airline and spent the remainder of her time writing Mockingbird. 1960 To Kill A Mockingbird emerged

First time is a charm Published in 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird won the heralded Pulitzer Prize. In 1999 the novel was voted “Best Novel of the Century” by the Library Journal

Background on Novel To Kill A Mockingbird emerged in 1960. What was happening in the United States during this time period? What about in Alabama? What do you consider to be the author’s purpose? Art imitates life

Mockingbird? "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

Setting Maycomb, Alabama during the depression (1930s). The Great Depression Stockmarket Crash – October 29, 1929 – lasted until the early 1940’s. Scottsboro Boys were accused of Rape Air conditioning was just invented (1932) Hilter becomes the chancellor of Germany

Setting Continued… The South was in racial turmoil. Civil Rights Not only was the South dealing with the effects of The Great Depression, they were also DEEPLY involved in the Civil Rights Movement The United States was in financial turmoil. The effects of The Great Depression were felt world-wide – not just in the South.

Setting Continued Geographic—Maycomb, Alabama—Often thought to be representative of Monroeville, Alabama Map Quest Link

Characters Scout Finch (Jean Louise Finch) Jem Finch (Jeremy Finch) The narrator and main character. It could be argued that she is Harper Lee as a child. Jem Finch (Jeremy Finch) Scout’s older brother, Jem is often protective and competitive with Scout.

Characters Boo Radley (Arthur Radley) Arthur Radley The neighborhood “freak.” He lives close to the Finches. He is the town recluse/hermit. Arthur Radley Boo’s father, Arthur identifies the paranoia of a man raising a troubled young man during such a turbulent time.

Characters Charles Baker “Dill” Harris Calpurnia Dill is a friend who visits during the summers. He is a little older than Scout and is friends with both Jem and Scout . Often thought to be a representation of Lee’s childhood friend and author, Truman Capote. Calpurnia Mother/Grandmother figure who serves as a household helper to the Finches.

Characters Atticus Finch Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus is the voice of morality, reason, wisdom, and justice in this story. Widower – Jem & Scout’s mother (his wife) passed when they were little. One of the great characters in any novel, Atticus is a hero to many for his upstanding character and undying integrity.

Characters Tom Robinson Tom is a black man accused of raping a white woman (Mayella Ewell) in Maycomb, AL. Tom’s character helps relate and serves as a representative of the injustices of racial prejudice in the depression soaked South.

Characters Mayella Ewell Bob Ewell The 19 year old girl who Tom is accused of raping, Mayella Ewell’s personal integrity is questioned throughout the story. Bob Ewell Mayella’s father, this alcoholic dominant male character provides insight into the downfall of poor people during the depression.

Themes Good vs. Evil Loss of Innocence Prejudice Understanding Educated vs. Uneducated Religion A Time for Courage

Conflicts Man vs. Man Man vs. Society Bob Ewell vs. Tom Robinson Ewell’s vs. Atticus Finch Man vs. Society Boo Radley vs. Society Tom Robinson vs. Society