Introduction to To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Essential Questions  What are the sources, symptoms, and consequences of prejudice?  What is empathy? What role does developing the capacity to empathize play in achieving maturity? How does the ability to empathize help combat and overcome prejudice? What role do our informal experiences play in our education?

About the Author: Harper Lee To Kill A Mockingbird was published in It is Harper Lee’s first and only novel It received the Pulitzer Prize in AFI ranks the film which is based on the book as on of the greatest American films of all time (number 34 on the list)

Setting The novel is set in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression (1930’s) H.Lee grew up and still lives in Monroeville, AL Maycomb is based on Monroeville.

What do you know about the setting? Consider the economic, social, and regional implications.

Themes and Related Motifs Definitions: Theme and Motif Theme – a message the author is trying to send through a work of literature Motif- a recurring element

Themes and Motifs cont. Prejudice- learning how to judge in a reasonable fashion MOTIFS - blind spots, mockingbirds and “standing in someone else’s shoes”

Themes and Motifs cont. Empathy – learning to look beyond one’s self and consider another’s perspective; gaining maturity MOTIFS- education (formal and informal), “standing in someone else’s shoes"

Themes and Motifs cont. Courage – learning how, when and what to fight MOTIFS – heroism, weapons, losing battles, fear, integrity vs. hypocrisy

Structure Structure – The novel is divided into 2 parts The two parts of the novel are parallel (similar in style and structure) Part 1Part 2