To Kill A Mockingbird Background Information and Historical Contexts (SB 5.3)

Harper Lee Born April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. Her father, A.C. Lee, practiced law. He once defended two black men accused of murdering a white storekeeper. Both of the defendants were found guilty and hanged. Growing up, there was an unusual man in her neighborhood who would hide objects in a nearby tree for Lee and her childhood friends to discover. (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) Lee onset with the child actor cast to play Scout in the film adaptation.

“As a child, Harper Lee was an unruly tomboy. She fought on the playground. She talked back to teachers. She was bored with school and resisted any sort of conformity. The character of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird would have liked her.” “To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 to highly favorable reviews and quickly climbed the bestseller lists, where it remained for 88 weeks. In 1961, the novel won the Pulitzer Prize.” (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) The caricature of Harper Lee above highlights her tomboyish nature while simultaneously graphically depicting some of the major symbols/themes within her novel.

The character of Dill, the goofy neighbor kid from To Kill A Mockingbird, is based upon Lee’s childhood friend and fellow author Truman Capote. Capote is mostly known for his amazing non-fiction work In Cold Blood, describing a ghastly 1959 murder in Kansas. Lee is credited for performing “secretarial work” on Capote’s project. In 2005, Truman Capote’s experience of writing In Cold Blood was turned into a major motion picture starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman (a role that earned him an Leading Actor Oscar). (“To Kill A Mockingbird”)

“Though fans of the book waited for a second novel, it never came. According to biographer Charles J. Shields, Lee was unprepared for the amount of personal attention associated with writing a bestseller. Ever since, she has led a quiet and guardedly private life.” "Writing is a process of self-discipline you must learn before you can call yourself a writer. There are people who write, but I think they're quite different from people who must write." —Harper Lee from a 1964 interview (“To Kill A Mockingbird”)

In 1962, a highly successful film adaptation was created of Lee’s novel. The movie starred Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, a role for which he earned a Lead Actor Oscar. The film also won the Oscar that year for Best Adapted Screenplay. The American Film Institute placed the adaptation in the 25 th spot on their list of greatest American movies. The organization additionally named Atticus Finch as the greatest American hero in film during the 20 th century. (“To Kill A Mockingbird”)

Historical Contexts – The Great Depression Several important historical contexts deeply shape the backdrop of this small-town tale, including the economic hardship and deep-rooted racism in the South of the United States during the 1930’s. The Great Depression took a heavy toll on the Southern States. Signaled by the Stock Market Crash of 1929, worsened by the Dust Bowl phenomenon, the Depression weighed heavily on America during the 30’s. Contemporary photographers such as Dorothea Lange captured many stark images of migrants trying to survive in this new, harsh American landscape. (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) #1: Migrant Mother (1936

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Another important piece of information to consider when reading To Kill A Mockingbird is the myth of “separate but equal” imposed upon the South under the Jim Crow Laws. From 1876 to 1965, the Jim Crow laws maintained the illusion of separate spheres of existence for blacks and whites. This notion of segregation extended to public schools, modes of transportation, and such simple public facilities as restrooms and restaurants. (“To Kill A Mockingbird”) Historical Contexts – The Jim Crow Laws

From , the Scottsboro Boys trial captivated and agitated the nation. These trials examined the accused rape of two white women (Victoria Price and Ruby Bates) by nine teenage African Americans ( Haywood Patterson, Roy Wright, Clarence Norris, Andy Wright, Willie Roberson, Charles Weems, Ozzie Powell, Olen Montgomery, and Eugene Williams). Though the white accusers had weak evidence and fluid testimonies, the defendants were continually in danger of being lynched by angry onlookers, repeatedly found guilty, and sentenced to death by all-white juries. Due to appeals and the international attention the case garnered, all men were eventually pardoned (the last man released after 20 years of wrongful imprisonment). (Lindner) Historical Contexts – The Scottsboro Boys

The image on the left is a startling political cartoon depicting the bloodthirsty attitudes of the contemporary courts. The image on the right shows an angry mob waiting for the verdict in a racially-charged trial, and perhaps for their chance to administer their own version of justice.

Historical Contexts – The Civil Rights Movement in the late 1950’s and 1960’s Lee wrote her novel during the mid to late 1950’s, heavily influenced by the political civil landmarks of the times such as the nonviolent boycotts, passive resistance, and Martin Luther King’s rise to national influence. Both the novel and subsequent film emerged in the 1960’s, bolstered by the rising tide of the Civil Rights Movement. (“To Kill A Mockingbird”)

To Kill A Mockingbird 50 th Anniversary “It may be turning 50, but To Kill a Mockingbird has been called a timeless classic - and for a generation of readers, their favorite book.” “And To Kill a Mockingbird is required reading in schools across the country... a book, teachers say, students actually like to read!” “But perhaps Harper Lee's greatest triumph is her searing portrayal of the ugliness of racism and injustice. James McBride, author of The Color of Water, says that was a courageous act. ‘What other writer during that time was willing to take on this subject with the kind of honesty and integrity that she did? What other white writer?’ he asked.” (“To Kill A Mockingbird Turns 50”) The simple, understated cover for the first edition fits the novel well. It is a subtle but lasting tale rich with symbolism that every Southerner should read. With a wealth of complex archetypes, this story can teach you how to be heroically human.

Major Resources Lindner, Douglas. "The Trials of The Scottsboro Boys." Famous American Trials University of Missouri/Kansas City School of Law, Web. 21 Sep "To Kill A Mockingbird." The Big Read. National Endowment for the Arts, Web. 21 Sep "To Kill A Mockingbird turns 50." CBS News 11 July 2010: n. pag. Web. 22 Sep