An introduction to… To Kill a Mockingbird

Introduction to the Novel A Novel STUDY –Character Information Review –Language & Dialect –Time Period –Notetaking First line of the story begins at the end: –“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.”“When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.” –Then the Flashback begins! Takes more than 250 pages for Jem to break his arm!

Fun Facts About TKAM First published on July 11, 1960 Won the Pulitzer prize in 1961 Has sold more than 30 million copies in 18 languages The film version, released in 1962, won Oscars for best actor, screenwriter, and set design. Despite rumors of a second Southern novel, Lee has never finished another book.

How the Novel Came to be Written: Inspiration from Harper Lee’s Life Fictional Maycomb County = Monroeville, Alabama –Lee’s hometown –Small, southern town Atticus: Harper’s Lee’s own father, a lawyer Scout = Harper Lee Dill = Nelle’s good friend Truman Capote

About the Author: Nelle Harper Lee Born April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama Nelle, her real first name, is her grandmother’s name spelled backwards Lee was an unruly tomboy as a child. Truman Capote = Lee’s childhood neighbor

TKAM’s 2 plots Plot 1: The Curious Kids Narrator Scout, her brother Jem, & summer friend Dill Fascinated by “Boo” Radley –Neighbor - lives in a shuttered house –Rumored to be some kind of monster Spend their days trying to make “Boo” come outside

TKAM’s 2 plots Plot 2: The Trial Tom Robinson Atticus Finch, a lawyer, is appointed to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman

Historical Context: The Great Depression “No one can possibly have lived through the Great Depression without being scarred by it” (Asimov). The Causes… Too much credit was extended (just like today). People were lent money that they could never pay back. As a result, the stock market crashed on October 29, Herbert Hoover, the President, was blamed.

A Schoolhouse Effects 16,000,000 became unemployed. Families were unable to afford food, housing, clothing, medicine and basic necessities. The entire country suffered. Christmas DinnerLiving on Road Homeless Mother

The New Deal In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt became President. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He created the “New Deal” to help the economy. He created new programs such as the National Recovery Act, Social Security, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The start of World War II, which provided jobs, ended the Great Depression.

Themes Tolerance/Intolerance –Seen through the children’s fear of their mysterious neighbor “Boo” Radley Courage/Bravery Seen with Atticus’ defending Tom Robinson despite the racial prejudices of Maycomb County Compassion/Forgiveness Seen through Jem’s older perspective at times and many others. Perseverance Seen through many, such as the Robinson family. Youth/Innocense Seen through the children.

Historical Context: The Jim Crow South The Jim Crow South “Jim Crow” refers to a system of laws and regulations that allowed for segregation in the South Local officials posted “Whites Only” and “Colored” signs on parks, schools, hotels, water fountains, restrooms, and all modes of transportation Interracial marriages were deemed illegal Led to violence, including lynching

Historical Context: The Scottsboro Trial ( ) The Scottsboro Trial ( ) Nine young African American men were accused of raping two white women on a train from Tennessee to Alabama. In a highly publicized trial, juries composed of white men ignored clear evidence that the women had suffered no injury. Parallels the second plot in TKAM

Connecting to Our Lives Prejudices/Discriminations Then Prejudices Now Note: Journals regarding events and characters and your life today. Ex. When Uncle Jack unfairly gives Scout a whoopin’. You?

Truman Capote American writer whose short stories, novels, plays, and non- fiction are recognized literary classics Most famous works: Breakfast at Tiffany's (1958) and In Cold Blood (1965) At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced from Capote novels, stories and screenplays. Spent time with his mother’s relatives in Monroeville, Alabama, as a child; became “best friends” with Harper Lee Like Capote, Lee’s character Dill is creative, bold and has an unsatisfactory family history Capote dancing with Marilyn Monroe