To Kill a Mockingbird: An Introduction A Novel by Harper Lee Published in 1960 "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."

Author Background: Harper Lee  Born Nelle Harper Lee April 28, 1926 Monroeville, AL  Tomboy, youngest of four  Father was a lawyer, involved in local newspaper  Pulitzer Prize winning novelist 1961 for To Kill a Mockingbird

Novel Overview  Set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s  Atticus Finch = lawyer and father Defends a black man, Tom Robinson Robinson is accused of raping a poor, white girl  Mayella Ewell  Narrator = 8 year old Scout Finch Precocious, intelligent and observant girl Story starts when she is 6

Novel Overview (con’t):  Two part novel Part I  Life in Maycomb Part II  The Tom Robinson Trial  Bildungsroman Genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist Youth to adulthood Change is important Loss of innocence story  “Southern Gothic” Uses supernatural or unusual events to comment on social issues and culture of the south Uses stock characters to highlight unpleasant aspects of southern culture  Topics: Class (social) Courage Compassion Gender Roles Legal system

Major Character List:  Atticus Finch Father, Lawyer, widowed  “Scout” Finch Jean Louise Narrator, 6 yr. old, smart, tomboy  Jem Finch Four years older than Scout  Tom Robinson Black, left arm is useless Accused of rape by Mayella  Calpurnia Finch family housekeeper Loved by children, respected by Atticus  “Boo” Radley Arthur, Recluse  Mayella Ewell Accuses Tom Robinson of rape 19 years old  Bob Ewell Mayella’s father, alcoholic  “Dill” Jem and Scout’s friend Lacks family security  Miss Maudie Finch’s neighbor  Aunt Alexandra Atticus’ sister  Many more minor characters

Social Hierarchy in Maycomb:  White Upper Class  White Middle Class  White Lower Class  White “trash” and criminals  African-Americans

Pre-Reading Journal Questions:  Take the rest of class to respond to the provided questions in your journal:  How important are parents in shaping their children’s values and beliefs?  What is the role of the community in shaping young people’s values and beliefs?  How can we ensure that people are treated equally even though they differ in race, wealth, religion, etc.?  How fair is the country’s justice system?  What makes people good or bad?