Introduction Seminar on To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Please take out note-taking materials

To Kill a Mockingbird Author: Harper Lee Country: United States State: Alabama Year Published: 1960 Years of Setting: Historical Era: Great Depression Setting: Maycomb County, an old-fashioned Southern locale, eighty-two years ago, between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement.

Themes in To Kill a Mockingbird Looking at events through someone else’s perspective Gaining understanding and sympathy The dangers of racism Dealing with loneliness Looking at events through someone else’s perspective The courage to do something impossible The injustices in American courtrooms The innocence of childhood and the innocence of the misunderstood Being treated differently because you’re a girl

The Scottsboro Boys

Symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird Mockingbirds Snowman made of snow and dirt Knotted hole in the tree trunk Rabid dog named Tim Johnson

Symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird Innocent victims Mixing brown and white, this odd snowman is a symbol of racial togetherness The concept of racism, a dangerous “beast” than can hurt many Communication and friendship

Scout – The Tomboy Narrates the story, meaning that she tells the story from her perspective. Daughter of Atticus Finch, the lawyer and hero Younger sister (6) of big brother Jem (10) and friend of Dill Real name “Jean- Louise Finch”

Jem – The older brother Full name is Jeremy Atticus Finch, with the middle name chosen after his father Atticus Four years older than his sister Scout, both of whom are the children of Atticus Shows bravery and the occasional glimpse of maturity for someone his age

Atticus – The noble lawyer Fights against racism in the South Loving father of Jem and Scout who teaches them lessons about life One of the great heroes of American literature Tries to help those who are in need

Calphurnia – The black maid Serves as a mother figure for Jem and Scout She helps to raise Scout and Jem, often using a tough love approach. This causes her and Scout to have disagreements. Well educated, taught Scout how to read and write

Arthur “Boo” Radley – The scary one A symbol of fear in the town, Boo occupies what might be thought of as a “haunted house” Possibly violent and insane, never leaves his house Hasn’t been seen or heard from in years. In his mid-thirties.

Dill – The curious one Stays in Maycomb county on summer vacations and is moved around between different relatives Has a very active imagination and loves to play with Scout and Jem A quick thinker, who wants to try to get Boo Radley to come out of his house