Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byIsaac Spencer Modified over 8 years ago
1
Background
2
Born 1926: Moneroeville, Alabama Parents: Amasa Coleman Lee (f), Francis Finch Lee (m) Father was a lawyer, served in Alabama state legislature – insp. for main character Atticus Direct descendant of Robert E. Lee Attended Huntington College in Alabama, Law degree from Univ. of Alabama, studied abroad at Oxford
3
Worked as a reservation clerk for Eastern Airlines 1960 she finished her first and only novel, TKAM 1961 Pulitzer Prize for Literature for TKAM 1962 Book turned into a movie starring Gregory Peck 2007 Presidential Medal of Freedom – highest civilian award in US Lives a very private life, few interviews or public appearances 34 years old when TKAM was published
4
Characters: Finch Family – father Atticus, daughter Jean Louise (nicknamed Scout) and son Jem Housekeeper: Calpurnia Neighbor: Dill – based on her childhood friend Truman Capote Mysterious neighbor: Boo Radley Unfairly accused of rape: Tom Robinson Setting: Maycomb, Alabama 1930-40s Published as Civil Rights movement began Small town south– society is very rigid in its views
5
Novel was widely banned as “immoral” when it was published due to racially and socially sensitive themes. Challenged small town southern social morays (class distinctions – ideas of what was proper) Illustrates the duty of human beings to care for one another and not to judge superficially Partially autobiographical Rite of Passage novel – main characters pass from innocence to understanding.
6
5 Motifs to Watch for in TKAM A Motif is an idea or image that occurs repeatedly in a novel. Authors use them to tie together a theme throughout a novel and to emphasize deep, symbolic meanings 1. Growth (physical and intellectual) 2. Caste System in Maycomb 3. Mockingbirds – hurt unfairly 4. Education – value? 5. Superstition – ghosts, irrational fears, old wives’ tales
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.