“To Kill a Mockingbird” Harper Lee The Importance of Chapter 1

Why is Chapter 1 so important? 1.We are introduced to the narrative voice and perspective that will be used throughout the novel.

2.Harper Lee gives us information that helps us understand how important family background and family characteristics are in this society, and this is significant for explaining later events.

3.We are introduced to the theme of growing up and the innocent childhood games that become more dangerous as we get older.

4.The Maycomb setting is established. It is described on p.11 as a “character”, “old” and “tired”, but also with hope (it was a time of “vague optimism”)

5.The chapter reveals the small-town mentality and the divisions and prejudices that exist in Maycomb, where there are different rules for the black people and the white people.

Quote “I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that.” (p9)