Jump to first page An Introduction: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Jump to first page Setting n Set in the south. n It is about the south. n But the issues are broader than the south.

Jump to first page Issues n cruelty n hypocrisy n prejudice n dishonor n racism

Jump to first page Characters F In characters you will see heroism and goodness as well as cowardliness and evil. F Narrator: is the person telling the story. F In To Kill A Mockingbird the narrator is Scout.

Jump to first page Point of View F 1st person F Scout tells the story from her perspective as a six year old. F This story is told as an adult looking back and then telling the story. F The story is a reflective of her youth.

Jump to first page Symbolic Element F The world to a six year old is either black or white or good or bad.

Jump to first page Hierarchy of people in Maycomb: n 1.Whites n 2.White trash n 3.African-Americans

Jump to first page Themes: n Racial and class prejudice n Differing approaches to education n Coming of age and the loss of innocence n The meaning of courage n Gender identity and expectations n Public opinion and expectations n The individual and the community n Violence

Jump to first page Background on To Kill A Mockingbird: F Set in 1930’s – in rural Alabama. Maycomb is a fictitious town. F Set during the Great Depression - the town has been hit hard. F Farmers were hit especially hard by the depression.

Jump to first page Characters F Scout (Jean Louise) Finch: is also the narrator. F Jem (Jeremy Atticus) Finch: older brother of Scout F Atticus Finch: father of Scout and Jem F Dill: neighbor who stays for the summer (based on Harper Lee’s neighbor – Truman Capote). F Calpurnia: black nanny who is respected by Atticus and the kids.

Jump to first page Characters n Arthur (Boo) Radley: a neighbor who lives in total seclusion. Very little is known about him and is considered the town freak. n Bob Ewell: He is ignorant, irrational, and totally unwilling to take steps to improve himself. Represents the poor white trash. n Tom Robinson: A kind person whose race causes his ultimate downfall.

Jump to first page Characters n Aunt Alexandra: is Atticus’ sister and represents the traditional values of the south. n The Cunninghams: a poor white family who are hard workers. A contrast to the Ewells. n Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose: A c antankerous neighbor of Jem and Scout who teaches them a valuable lesson.