1. To Kill a Mocking Bird SDU Oct. 2012

2. Author and the novel Harper Lee (1926-) Harper Lee (1926-) Born into a well-respected family in Alabama. Her father was former newspaper editor and proprietor, practiced law later and served in the Alabama State Legislature from 1926 to 1938. The father once he once defended two black men accused of murdering a white storekeeper. Born into a well-respected family in Alabama. Her father was former newspaper editor and proprietor, practiced law later and served in the Alabama State Legislature from 1926 to 1938. The father once he once defended two black men accused of murdering a white storekeeper. Lee told her close friend why she never wrote again: "Two reasons: one, I wouldn't go through the pressure and publicity I went through with To Kill A Mockingbird for any amount of money. Second, I have said what I wanted to say and I will not say it again.". Lee told her close friend why she never wrote again: "Two reasons: one, I wouldn't go through the pressure and publicity I went through with To Kill A Mockingbird for any amount of money. Second, I have said what I wanted to say and I will not say it again.". Being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

3. To Kill a Mockingbird: a novel Published July 11, 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird was an immediate bestseller and won great critical acclaim. It became the Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction in 1961. In 1999, it was voted "Best Novel of the Century" in a poll by the Library Journal Published July 11, 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird was an immediate bestseller and won great critical acclaim. It became the Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction in 1961. In 1999, it was voted "Best Novel of the Century" in a poll by the Library Journal

4. Main plot Who: Scout Finch the narrator, her brother Jem, their widowed fatherAtticus, their friend Dill, and their neighbors Who: Scout Finch the narrator, her brother Jem, their widowed fatherAtticus, their friend Dill, and their neighbors Where: in the sleepy Alabama town of Maycomb. Where: in the sleepy Alabama town of Maycomb. When: in 1936 when the twon is dealing with the Great Depression When: in 1936 when the twon is dealing with the Great Depression What: One summer, Jem and Scout befriend a boy named Dill, who has come to live in their neighborhood for the summer, and the trio begins their adventures and witnesses the conflict of goodness and evil. What: One summer, Jem and Scout befriend a boy named Dill, who has come to live in their neighborhood for the summer, and the trio begins their adventures and witnesses the conflict of goodness and evil.

5. Major characters Jean Louise “ Scout ” Finch - She is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson ’ s trial. Scout eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil. Jean Louise “ Scout ” Finch - She is intelligent and, by the standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson ’ s trial. Scout eventually develops a more grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.

6. Atticus Finch - Scout and Jem ’ s father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus functions as the novel ’ s moral backbone. Atticus Finch - Scout and Jem ’ s father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice. He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and empathy, Atticus functions as the novel ’ s moral backbone.

7. Jeremy Atticus “ Jem ” Finch - Scout ’ s brother and constant playmate at the beginning of the story. Jem is something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about playing football. Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but he remains her close companion and protector throughout the novel. Jem moves into adolescence during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson. Jeremy Atticus “ Jem ” Finch - Scout ’ s brother and constant playmate at the beginning of the story. Jem is something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about playing football. Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but he remains her close companion and protector throughout the novel. Jem moves into adolescence during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson.

8. Arthur “ Boo ” Radley - A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. An intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel ’ s “ mockingbirds, ” a good person injured by the evil of mankind. Arthur “ Boo ” Radley - A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. An intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel ’ s “ mockingbirds, ” a good person injured by the evil of mankind.

9. Charles Baker “ Dill ” Harris - Jem and Scout ’ s summer neighbor and friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the novel. Charles Baker “ Dill ” Harris - Jem and Scout ’ s summer neighbor and friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active imagination. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood innocence throughout the novel.

10. Bob Ewell - A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb ’ s poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice. Bob Ewell - A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb ’ s poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South: ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice.

11. Calpurnia - The Finches ’ black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children ’ s bridge between the white world and her own black community. Calpurnia - The Finches ’ black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children ’ s bridge between the white world and her own black community. Aunt Alexandra - Atticus ’ s sister, a strong-willed woman with a fierce devotion to her family. Alexandra is the perfect Southern lady, and her commitment to propriety and tradition often leads her to clash with Scout. Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose - An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction. Aunt Alexandra - Atticus ’ s sister, a strong-willed woman with a fierce devotion to her family. Alexandra is the perfect Southern lady, and her commitment to propriety and tradition often leads her to clash with Scout. Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose - An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction.

12. Mr. Walter Cunningham - A poor farmer and part of the mob that seeks to lynch Tom Robinson at the jail. Mr. Cunningham displays his human goodness when Scout ’ s politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail. Mr. Walter Cunningham - A poor farmer and part of the mob that seeks to lynch Tom Robinson at the jail. Mr. Cunningham displays his human goodness when Scout ’ s politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail. Walter Cunningham - Son of Mr. Cunningham and classmate of Scout. Walter cannot afford lunch one day at school and accidentally gets Scout in trouble. Walter Cunningham - Son of Mr. Cunningham and classmate of Scout. Walter cannot afford lunch one day at school and accidentally gets Scout in trouble. Tom Robinson - The black field hand accused of rape. Tom is one of the novel ’ s “ mockingbirds, ” an important symbol of innocence destroyed by evil. Tom Robinson - The black field hand accused of rape. Tom is one of the novel ’ s “ mockingbirds, ” an important symbol of innocence destroyed by evil.

13. Topics to study American Southern literature with stereotypical figures and racial issues American Southern literature with stereotypical figures and racial issues Gothic novel Gothic novel Buildunsroman Buildunsroman Confrontation of goodness and evil Confrontation of goodness and evil The symbolic meaning of the title and some names The symbolic meaning of the title and some names

15. We know that all men are not created equal in the sense that some people would have us believe --- some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunities because they are born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies bake better cakes than others --- some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most men. We know that all men are not created equal in the sense that some people would have us believe --- some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunities because they are born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies bake better cakes than others --- some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most men. But here is one way in this country in which all men are created equal --- there is one human situation that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentleman, is a court. (Atticus ’ s defense of his client on the court of law, p. 218) But here is one way in this country in which all men are created equal --- there is one human situation that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentleman, is a court. (Atticus ’ s defense of his client on the court of law, p. 218)

16. Background of the publication “ Lee ’ s book was published in 1960 --- a time of tumultuous events and racial strife as the struggle in the Civil Rights movement grew violent and spread into cities across the nation, and into the American consciousness …. ” “ Lee ’ s book was published in 1960 --- a time of tumultuous events and racial strife as the struggle in the Civil Rights movement grew violent and spread into cities across the nation, and into the American consciousness …. ”

17. Overall evaluation The novel ’ s enduring impact goes beyond the period when integration and the struggle for equal rights were paramount. Its influence has been enduring because it allows the reader, through the lives of children, “ to walk around in the shoes “ of people who are different from their ourselves. The novel challenges our stereotypes --- of the Southerner, the African American, the eccentric, the child, the yound lady. At the same time that many people see characters and social situations in different ways after reading the novel, they also recapture some part of their own younth in the story with its characters. The novel ’ s universal and lasting appeal comes in part from the reader ’ s nostalgia for the time of innocence in which children live beofre harsh truths enter their lives. (Claudia Durst Johnson) The novel ’ s enduring impact goes beyond the period when integration and the struggle for equal rights were paramount. Its influence has been enduring because it allows the reader, through the lives of children, “ to walk around in the shoes “ of people who are different from their ourselves. The novel challenges our stereotypes --- of the Southerner, the African American, the eccentric, the child, the yound lady. At the same time that many people see characters and social situations in different ways after reading the novel, they also recapture some part of their own younth in the story with its characters. The novel ’ s universal and lasting appeal comes in part from the reader ’ s nostalgia for the time of innocence in which children live beofre harsh truths enter their lives. (Claudia Durst Johnson)

18. The language to reflect social status & racial issues Mr. Jem --- at 12 he is addressed with a title of respcet Mr. Jem --- at 12 he is addressed with a title of respcet Mrs. Dubose --- married white woman with title Mrs. Dubose --- married white woman with title Miss Maudie --- unmarried white woman with title Miss Maudie --- unmarried white woman with title Atticus Finch, Mr. Finch --- a white man with status and title Atticus Finch, Mr. Finch --- a white man with status and title Calpurnia, Cal --- Black woman, no title, no status Calpurnia, Cal --- Black woman, no title, no status Mayella Ewell --- poor white woman, no status, no title Mayella Ewell --- poor white woman, no status, no title Rev. Sykes --- Black minister with title of recognition Rev. Sykes --- Black minister with title of recognition Boo Radley --- simple white man, nick-named by children Boo Radley --- simple white man, nick-named by children Scout, Miss Jean Louise Finch --- white child of 6 with a tile Scout, Miss Jean Louise Finch --- white child of 6 with a tile

19. Study in the perspective of social and historical context Johnson studies the similarities between the experience of the author and that of the narator, the historical events in the story and influenctial events in history. She thus draws many similarities between Tom Robinson trial and the 1931 Scottsboro incident and trial. Johnson studies the similarities between the experience of the author and that of the narator, the historical events in the story and influenctial events in history. She thus draws many similarities between Tom Robinson trial and the 1931 Scottsboro incident and trial.

20. Styistic study: Stereotypes and breaking of boundaries Gothic: The book is, according to Johnson “ essentiall a tale about boundaries --- those of race, religion, time, class, sex, tradtion, and code ”. She interpretes the book as an exemplification and parody of Gothic tration. Her arguementations include: physical, mental and social breakdown or decay; the lack of a single conventional, ideal or normal family; oppressive sexual roles, the attraction to the fear of “ differnt: ” things or people; hypocrisy; the roles of play and ritual. Gothic: The book is, according to Johnson “ essentiall a tale about boundaries --- those of race, religion, time, class, sex, tradtion, and code ”. She interpretes the book as an exemplification and parody of Gothic tration. Her arguementations include: physical, mental and social breakdown or decay; the lack of a single conventional, ideal or normal family; oppressive sexual roles, the attraction to the fear of “ differnt: ” things or people; hypocrisy; the roles of play and ritual.

21. Atticus Finch as an example Serving for no fee, Atticus heard the call of justice. His defense was doomed to failure by the very nature of Southern life, but Atticus nonetheless succeeded in demonstrating both the innocence of his client and the peculiar sickness of Jim Crow society. Through his deft, courtly, and persistent cross examination, Atticus made it apparent to everyone that Tom Robinson was being scapegoated for a crime that had not even occurred. He even mde Tom ’ s innocent apparent to the all-white jury, which deliberated for an unorecedented several hours even through the judgement of conviction was a foregone conclusion. / So Atticus Finch saves us by providing a moral archetype, by reflecting nobility upon us, and by having the courage to meet the standards that we set for ourselves but can seldom attain. Serving for no fee, Atticus heard the call of justice. His defense was doomed to failure by the very nature of Southern life, but Atticus nonetheless succeeded in demonstrating both the innocence of his client and the peculiar sickness of Jim Crow society. Through his deft, courtly, and persistent cross examination, Atticus made it apparent to everyone that Tom Robinson was being scapegoated for a crime that had not even occurred. He even mde Tom ’ s innocent apparent to the all-white jury, which deliberated for an unorecedented several hours even through the judgement of conviction was a foregone conclusion. / So Atticus Finch saves us by providing a moral archetype, by reflecting nobility upon us, and by having the courage to meet the standards that we set for ourselves but can seldom attain. --- Steven Lubet, “ Reconstructing Atticus Finch ”, Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999, 1339-1362: 1340. --- Steven Lubet, “ Reconstructing Atticus Finch ”, Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999, 1339-1362: 1340.

22. However, Lubet was doubting Finch and listing him as a racist, which interestingly arouses much response, the majority of which was expressing their different understanding of the role of Finch. However, Lubet was doubting Finch and listing him as a racist, which interestingly arouses much response, the majority of which was expressing their different understanding of the role of Finch. Representative ones include: Representative ones include: Rob Atkinson: “ Comment on Steven Lubet, Reconstructing Atticus Finch “, Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999, pp. 1370-1372. Rob Atkinson: “ Comment on Steven Lubet, Reconstructing Atticus Finch “, Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999, pp. 1370-1372. William H. Simon: “ Moral Icons: A Comment on Steven Lubet's ‘ Reconstructing Atticus Finch ’“. Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999, pp. 1376-1377. William H. Simon: “ Moral Icons: A Comment on Steven Lubet's ‘ Reconstructing Atticus Finch ’“. Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999, pp. 1376-1377.

23. Academic research on the novel To Kill a Mockingbird: Threatening Boundaries by Claudia Durst Johnson To Kill a Mockingbird: Threatening Boundaries by Claudia Durst Johnson