To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

Harper Lee  Born on April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama  Youngest of four children  1957 – submitted manuscript for her novel; was urged to rewrite it  Spent over two years reworking it  1960 – To Kill a Mockingbird (her only novel) published  was one of two persons named by President Johnson to the National Council of Arts

Autobiographical Elements HARPER LEE Born in Monroeville,, Alabama Born in Monroeville,, Alabama Grew up in 1930s Grew up in 1930s Father was a lawyer Father was a lawyer Mother’s maiden name = Finch Mother’s maiden name = Finch SCOUT FINCH Born in Maycomb, Alabama Grew up iin 1930s Father (Atticus) is a lawyer Last name = Finch

Setting Maycomb, Alabama (fictional city) Maycomb, Alabama (fictional city) Although slavery has long been abolished, the Southerners in Maycomb continue to believe in white supremacy. Although slavery has long been abolished, the Southerners in Maycomb continue to believe in white supremacy.

SETTING Maycomb, ALABAMA

Themes Racial Prejudice Racial Prejudice Social Snobbery Social Snobbery Morality Morality Tolerance Tolerance Patience Patience Equality Equality The Need for Compassion The Need for Compassion The Need for Conscience The Need for Conscience

Social Class in the Novel This is probably similar to how class structure existed during the 1930’s in the South. The wealthy, although fewest in number, were most powerful. The blacks, although great in number, were lowest on the class ladder, and thus, had the least privileges. Examples of each social class: Wealthy - Finches Country Folk - Cunninghams “White Trash” – Ewells Black Community – Tom Robinson

Living in a World of Discrimination A cafe near the tobacco market. (Signs: Separate doors for "White" and for "Colored.“) North Carolina, 1940

Life During the 1930s Race Relations Race Relations Nine black teenagers are falsely charged with raping two white women in Scottsboro, Alabama; eight are convicted and sentenced to death Nine black teenagers are falsely charged with raping two white women in Scottsboro, Alabama; eight are convicted and sentenced to death The U.S. Supreme Court reverses their convictions because their constitutional rights had been violated The U.S. Supreme Court reverses their convictions because their constitutional rights had been violated The teens are tried for a second time, and are again found guilty The teens are tried for a second time, and are again found guilty The Supreme Court reverses the convictions again The Supreme Court reverses the convictions again Eventually, four of the defendants are freed; the other five serve prison terms Eventually, four of the defendants are freed; the other five serve prison terms The last Scottsboro defendant was paroled in 1950 The last Scottsboro defendant was paroled in 1950 It was virtually impossible for a black to receive a fair trial It was virtually impossible for a black to receive a fair trial

Life During the 1930s The Great Depression sweeps the nation – Many families do not even have money for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The Great Depression sweeps the nation – Many families do not even have money for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The per capita income for families in Alabama (and Oklahoma) is $125 - $250 a year The per capita income for families in Alabama (and Oklahoma) is $125 - $250 a year Many southern blacks pick cotton for a living Many southern blacks pick cotton for a living Franklin D. Roosevelt is President Franklin D. Roosevelt is President

Life During the 1930s Hitler is Chancellor of Germany Hitler is Chancellor of Germany He believes that Jews, African Americans, and other races are inferior to Anglo-Saxons. He believes that Jews, African Americans, and other races are inferior to Anglo-Saxons. In 1936, Jesse Owens, a black American athlete, traveled to Germany to participate in the Summer Olympics. In 1936, Jesse Owens, a black American athlete, traveled to Germany to participate in the Summer Olympics. Owens’ biggest competitor in the long jump was a German named Luz Long. Owens’ biggest competitor in the long jump was a German named Luz Long. Despite racial tensions, the two became good friends. Despite racial tensions, the two became good friends. Jesse Owens won the gold medal and Long won the silver. Jesse Owens won the gold medal and Long won the silver. Long was later killed during World War II, and Jesse Owens traveled back to Germany to pay his respects when the war was over. Long was later killed during World War II, and Jesse Owens traveled back to Germany to pay his respects when the war was over.

Legal Segregation in Alabama, No white female nurses in hospitals that treat black men No white female nurses in hospitals that treat black men Separate passenger cars for whites and blacks Separate passenger cars for whites and blacks Separate waiting rooms for whites and blacks Separate waiting rooms for whites and blacks Separation of white and black convicts Separation of white and black convicts Separate schools Separate schools No interracial marriages No interracial marriages Segregated water fountains Segregated water fountains Segregated theatres Segregated theatres

Morphine: A Southern Lady’s Drug 1930s Typical Morphine Addict: 1930s Typical Morphine Addict: White female White female Middle-aged or older Middle-aged or older Widowed Widowed Homebound Homebound Lives in the south Lives in the south Property owner Property owner Began using morphine for medical reasons (pain relief) Began using morphine for medical reasons (pain relief) In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the Finch children will become acquainted with a morphine addict named Mrs. Dubose. Although only a fictitious character, she personifies the American morphine addict of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Symbolism The Mockingbird: Symbolizes Everything That is Good and Harmless in This World The Mockingbird: Symbolizes Everything That is Good and Harmless in This World The mockingbird only sings to please others and therefore it is considered a sin to shoot a mockingbird. They are considered harmless creatures who give joy with their song. The mockingbird only sings to please others and therefore it is considered a sin to shoot a mockingbird. They are considered harmless creatures who give joy with their song. The mockingbird image or symbol appears four times in the novel. The mockingbird image or symbol appears four times in the novel. Two characters in the novel symbolize the mockingbird: Tom Robinson & Boo Radley. Two characters in the novel symbolize the mockingbird: Tom Robinson & Boo Radley.

The Scottsboro Trials March 25, 1931: Police stop Southern Railroad train in Paint Rock, Alabama. March 25, 1931: Police stop Southern Railroad train in Paint Rock, Alabama. Scottsboro boys are arrested on charges of assault. Rape charges are added against all nine boys after accusations are made by Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. Scottsboro boys are arrested on charges of assault. Rape charges are added against all nine boys after accusations are made by Victoria Price and Ruby Bates. The two women are underage; older one is a prostitute. The two women are underage; older one is a prostitute. Both smuggling and trying to avoid problems. Both smuggling and trying to avoid problems.

The Scottsboro Trials Oldest was 19; youngest was 12. Oldest was 19; youngest was 12. Within one month of the first trial, the first African-American is sentenced to death. Others condemned. Within one month of the first trial, the first African-American is sentenced to death. Others condemned. Jury ignored evidence; wanted execution versus life imprisonment. Jury ignored evidence; wanted execution versus life imprisonment. None of the accused were executed. None of the accused were executed. Central figure was second trial Judge Horton who postponed trials and set aside a conviction contrary to public outcry. Central figure was second trial Judge Horton who postponed trials and set aside a conviction contrary to public outcry. Not until 1977 was the case finally settled. Not until 1977 was the case finally settled.

The Scottsboro Boys Charles Weems Charles Weems Clarence Norris Clarence Norris Andy Wright Andy Wright Ozie Powell Ozie Powell Olen Montgomery Olen Montgomery Eugene Williams Willie Roberson Roy Wright Haywood Patterson

Jean Louis Finch – “Scout” The story’s narrator The story’s narrator Although now an adult, Scout looks back at her childhood and tells of the momentous events and influential people of those years. Although now an adult, Scout looks back at her childhood and tells of the momentous events and influential people of those years. Scout is six when the story begins. Scout is six when the story begins. She is naturally curious about life. She is naturally curious about life.

Scout’s Character Traits Tomboy Tomboy Impulsive Impulsive Emotional Emotional Warm & Friendly Warm & Friendly Sensitive Sensitive Adorable Adorable Gains in Maturity throughout the Novel Gains in Maturity throughout the Novel

Atticus Finch Father of Scout and Jem Father of Scout and Jem A widower A widower An attorney by profession An attorney by profession Highly respected Highly respected Good citizen Good citizen Instills good values and morals in Instills good values and morals in his children. his children. His children call him “Atticus” His children call him “Atticus” Honest Honest Typical southern gentleman Typical southern gentleman Brave Brave Courteous Courteous Soft-spoken Soft-spoken

Jem Finch  Scout’s older brother  Looks up to his father Atticus  Usually looks out for Scout  Typical older brother at times  Smart  Compassionate  Matures as the story progresses

Calpurnia The Finch’s black housekeeper The Finch’s black housekeeper Has watched the children since their mother’s death Has watched the children since their mother’s death Has been a positive influence on the children. Has been a positive influence on the children.

Arthur “Boo” Radley An enigma An enigma An adult man, whose father has “sentenced” him to a lifetime confinement to their house because of some mischief he got into when he was a teenager. An adult man, whose father has “sentenced” him to a lifetime confinement to their house because of some mischief he got into when he was a teenager. Has a reputation of being a lunatic Has a reputation of being a lunatic Basically a harmless, well-meaning person Basically a harmless, well-meaning person Sometimes childlike in behavior Sometimes childlike in behavior Starving for love and affection Starving for love and affection Saves Jem and Scout from certain danger Saves Jem and Scout from certain danger

Tom Robinson A young, harmless, innocent, hardworking black man A young, harmless, innocent, hardworking black man Has a crippled left hand Has a crippled left hand Married with three children. Works on a farm belonging to Mr. Link Deas, a white man Married with three children. Works on a farm belonging to Mr. Link Deas, a white man Will be falsely accused of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell Will be falsely accused of raping a white girl, Mayella Ewell

Dill A close friend of Jem and Scout A close friend of Jem and Scout Usually lives in Maycomb only during the summer (stays with a relative) Usually lives in Maycomb only during the summer (stays with a relative) Tells “big stories” Tells “big stories” Has been deprived of love and affection Has been deprived of love and affection

Two Poor White Families: The Cunninghams The Ewells Poor white family Poor white family Hard-working Hard-working Honest Honest Proud Proud Survive on very little Survive on very little Always pay back their debts – even if it is with hickory nuts, turnips, or holly. Always pay back their debts – even if it is with hickory nuts, turnips, or holly. Poor white trash Dirty Lazy Good-for-nothing Never done a day’s work Foul-mouthed Dishonest Immoral

The Black Community Simple Simple Honest Honest Clean Clean Hard-working Hard-working God fearing God fearing Proud Proud Would never take anything with paying it back Would never take anything with paying it back Respectful Respectful Had stronger character than most of the whites Had stronger character than most of the whites Oppressed Uneducated Discriminated against Talked about badly Deserve better than what is dished out to them by society

Language Sometimes the language of Scout will be that of her as a child; other times, she will be speaking in the voice of an adult Sometimes the language of Scout will be that of her as a child; other times, she will be speaking in the voice of an adult Atticus uses formal speech Atticus uses formal speech Calpurnia uses “white language” in the Finch house and switches to “black jargon” when amidst blacks Calpurnia uses “white language” in the Finch house and switches to “black jargon” when amidst blacks The Ewells use foul words and obscenities The Ewells use foul words and obscenities Jem, Scout, and Dill will use slang words, typical of their age Jem, Scout, and Dill will use slang words, typical of their age Tom Robinson uses language typical of the southern black such as “suh” for “sir” and “chillun” for “children” Tom Robinson uses language typical of the southern black such as “suh” for “sir” and “chillun” for “children” Various derogatory terms for blacks will be used such as “nigger,” “darky,” “Negroes,” and “colored folk” – Lee uses such language to keep her novel naturally in sync with common language of the times Various derogatory terms for blacks will be used such as “nigger,” “darky,” “Negroes,” and “colored folk” – Lee uses such language to keep her novel naturally in sync with common language of the times

Tone Somber Somber Serious Serious Humorous (at times) Humorous (at times)