1. By Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird

2. Author (Nelle) Harper Lee Born April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama
Where racial tension was high.
Attended public schools,
then Huntington College
Later studied law at the U. of Alabama, but didn’t complete work for a law degree

3. Author
Her studies of law may be reflected in her writing style; every event is narrated with a straightforward and clear, simple approach
The father in this novel is a lawyer; Lee’s own father and a sister practiced law in her hometown

5. Author
Began writing at the age of seven; never tried to publish anything until she met a literary agent in New York City who advised her to submit some serious writing; she gave him two essays and three short stories; the agent suggested that she expand one of the stories into a full-length book

6. Author The result was her first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird (1960)
She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961
Book was made into an Academy award-winning movie starring Gregory Peck

7. Autobiography Elements
Harper Lee
Scout Finch
Born in Monroeville, Alabama
Born in Maycomb, Alabama
Grew up in 1930s
Father was a lawyer
Father (Atticus) is a lawyer
Mother’s maiden name = Finch
Last name = Finch

8. Point of View
TKAM is told in the first person, from the point of view of Scout Finch, a young girl.
The story is not told by the younger Scout finch. It is told by an older Scout, looking back.
However, the point of view is mostly a first-person limited one; that is, limited to the knowledge of the younger Scout.
In this way, the narration presents a sort of “doubled”perspective on the events.

9. Point of View 1st Person Narrative Problems
Believe person can observe and report accurately
Innocent narrator (also adds to greatness of novel)
Can’t use words, ideas, etc., that are beyond her years

10. Point of View 1st Person Narrative Positives
Innocent, naïve manner adds meaning and enjoyment
She has not yet modified her view of right and wrong as defined by society (including prejudices)
She represents the feeling of confusion we have when we see justice being destroyed by prejudice

11. Themes
Coming of Age – learning experiences while growing up (Jem and Scout)
Education – inside and outside the classroom; more emphasis on life experiences
Bravery/Cowardice – BOTH physically and through the heart (inner worth and strength)

12. Themes
4. Prejudice a. race b. class – social hierarchy c. gender – typical “Southern woman” syndrome d. others – each time a character (or person) makes decisions about others before all the facts are understood e. superstition – fear and ignorance (these also feed prejudice)

13. Themes
5. Mockingbird – harmless member of society; innocent, yet in some way persecuted by society

14. Viewpoints of the Times
(novel begins in the summer of 1933)
Views on race – whites’ “responsibility” to care for blacks
View on social class and ranking – “white trash” (Ewells)

15. Historical Background
Civil War – lasting effects
Reconstruction
Economies
Feelings about civil rights
Jim Crow laws
Great Depression
Scottsboro Trial
Nine black teenagers were accused of rape in Alabama in 1931.
The case includes a frameup, all-white jury, rushed trials, an attempted lynching, angry mob, and miscarriage of justice.

16. TKAM in Pop Culture
In DC Comics continuity, it has been established that To Kill a Mockingbird is Superman's favorite book and movie.
In the 2002 film Mr. Deeds, Winona Ryder's character, Babe Bennett, alludes to Boo Radley in an attempt to lie about her past. When Babe goes into a building, she says hello to 'Mrs. Finch and her pet Atticus', a reference to Atticus Finch.
The 3rd episode of the 2010 TV series Pretty Little Liars the name was changed to, "To Kill A Mocking Girl“
In one episode of The Simpsons Homer says, "I'll have to read Marge's book and I swore never to read again after To Kill a Mockingbird gave me no useful advice on killing Mockingbirds! It did teach me not to judge a man by the color of his skin, but what good does that do me?“
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named their second child Scout, reportedly after the character in the novel.
In 2001, Blink-182 band members Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge created the clothing line Atticus Clothing, named after the character in this book. Similarly, the female line of the brand is called Scout. The brand's logo is a dead bird