Unit 4: To Kill a Mockingbird and the American Dream Warm-Up Jim Crow Laws Introduction to TKaM Homework

Warm-Up: Review the Jim Crow Laws handout. Select one and discuss your reaction. Unit Essential Questions: Wh at impact does historical, cultural, geographical, and social context have on a novel and on the reaction of readers to it? What are the characteristics of bildungsroman and how does TKaM fit into this category? Summative Task How do the authors of this unit use diction to express a vision of The American Dream? Do you agree or disagree with the portrayal each author provides of the dream?

“Jim Crow” Laws From the 1880s to the 1960s most states enforced segregation through the “Jim Crow” laws named after a black-faced character in minstrel shows. Through these laws legal punishments could be imposed on people for having contact with members of another race.

“ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Dr. Martin Luther King

Historical Background The setting Maycomb, Georgia Great Depression Hitler in power in Germany to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Historical Background Slavery was abolished in 1864, but Southerners still believe in white supremacy. Segregation exists. Blacks may not sit in the same sections as whites. They have separate facilities as well. to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Historical Background Gender Bias Women were the weaker sex. Education not important for women. Wealthy women were expected to supervise staff Men were not seen as nurturing to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Historical Background to kill a mockingbird by harper lee Poor White Families Hard-working Honest Proud Survive on very little Always pay back their debts – even if it is with hickory nuts, turnips, or holly. The Cunninghams fit this category

Historical Background Poor white trash Dirty Lazy Good-for-nothing Never done a day’s work Foul-mouthed Dishonest Immoral The Ewells fit this category to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Historical Background The Black Community Simple Honest Clean Hard-working God fearing Proud Would never take anything with paying it back Respectful 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 to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Characters Jean Louise Finch “Scout”  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.  Scout is six when the story begins.  She is naturally curious about life. to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Characters Atticus Finch  Father of Scout and Jem  A widower  An attorney by profession  Highly respected  Good citizen  Instills good values and morals in his children. to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Characters 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 to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Characters Calpurnia  The Finch’s black housekeeper  Has watched the children since their mother’s death  Has been a positive influence on the children. to kill a mockingbird by harper lee

Bildungsroman Bildungsroman is a special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood. A Bildungsroman is a story of the growing up of a sensitive person who looks for answers to his questions through different experiences. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum. During the journey, the protagonist gains maturity gradually and with difficulty. Usually, the plot depicts a conflict between the protagonist and the values of society. Finally, he or she accepts those values and they are accepted by the society, ending the dissatisfaction. Such a type of novel is also known as a coming-of-age novel.

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 Atticus uses formal speech Calpurnia uses “white language” in the Finch house and switches to “black jargon” when amidst blacks The Ewells use foul words and obscenities 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” Various derogatory terms for blacks will be used such as “n,” “darky,” “Negroes,” and “colored folk” – Lee uses such language to keep her novel naturally in sync with common language of the times

Video – The “N” Word

What to Look For in Chapters 1-5 ScoutJemDill AtticusCalpurniaBoo Radley Walter Cunningham RachelCaroline Fisher Burris Ewell GumHot Steam MolassesCootieRead

Reading Dates ReadDue Chapters 1 – 5 Monday 12/21 Chapters 6 – 8Tuesday 12/22 Chapters 9 – 20Monday 1/4 Chapters 21 – 24Tuesday 1/5 Chapters 25 – 28Wednesday 1/6 Chapters 29 – endThursday 1/7