1. April 25, 2011 Come on in, sit down, and start up your netbooks. -- Turn in your vocabulary -- Pull up your power point on To Kill a Mockingbird -- Make sure you have your novel out

2. To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

3. Author’s Background Born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926 Born in Monroeville, Alabama, a small city w/ a population of about 7,000 people Youngest of three children

4. Author’s Background Father- Amasa Coleman Lee- began practicing law in 1915 Father- Amasa Coleman Lee- began practicing law in 1915 Mother- Frances Cunningham Finch Lee Mother- Frances Cunningham Finch Lee Attended Huntington College from 1944-45 Attended Huntington College from 1944-45

5. Author’s Background Studied Law @ University of Alabama from 1945-49 Studied Law @ University of Alabama from 1945-49 Attended Oxford for one year Attended Oxford for one year Left school to move to New York and pursue a career as a writer Left school to move to New York and pursue a career as a writer

6. Author’s Background Worked in NY for BOAC airlines First submitted To Kill A Mockingbird for publication in 1957 Worked on revisions for 3 years/ published in 1960

7. Author’s Background Won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 Won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 Never published another novel, but did publish several essays Never published another novel, but did publish several essays Rumors report that she is working on a second novel Rumors report that she is working on a second novel

8. Historical Context Novel takes place in Alabama in the 1930’s Novel takes place in Alabama in the 1930’s Time of the Great Depression Time of the Great Depression Although slavery was abolished in 1863, African Americans were still denied many rights Although slavery was abolished in 1863, African Americans were still denied many rights Segregation exists in schools, public bathrooms, busses and many other public places Segregation exists in schools, public bathrooms, busses and many other public places

9. Historical Context A great deal of discrimination existed in the justice system African Americans were not allowed to be on juries Blacks were often arrested, tried, and convicted with little cause

10. Historical Context- the South Agricultural economy was hit hard by the depression Agricultural economy was hit hard by the depression Many white southerners had a romanticized idea of how life should be Many white southerners had a romanticized idea of how life should be They felt threatened by change and industrialization They felt threatened by change and industrialization

11. Historical Context-the South Little opportunity for African Americans to advance themselves Little opportunity for African Americans to advance themselves Nearly half of all blacks in the South did not receive an education past the 5 th grade Nearly half of all blacks in the South did not receive an education past the 5 th grade Racist groups like the Ku Klux Clan and the Black Shirts terrorized blacks Racist groups like the Ku Klux Clan and the Black Shirts terrorized blacks Lynching was still a common practice Lynching was still a common practice

12. The Scottsboro Trials Many parallels between the trial of Tom Robinson in the novel & the Scottsboro Trials Many parallels between the trial of Tom Robinson in the novel & the Scottsboro Trials In 1931, 9 young African American males are stopped on a freight train in Alabama In 1931, 9 young African American males are stopped on a freight train in Alabama They are arrested, tried, and convicted of the rape of two white women They are arrested, tried, and convicted of the rape of two white women The men were pardoned in 1976 The men were pardoned in 1976

13. Literary Devices- Point of View One of the most distinctive characteristics of the novel One of the most distinctive characteristics of the novel The story is told from the perspective of a child who is approx 6 years old when the story begins The story is told from the perspective of a child who is approx 6 years old when the story begins

14. Literary Devices-Setting Entire story takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama Entire story takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama The small town is conservative and traditional The small town is conservative and traditional Blacks and whites live in separate sections of town Blacks and whites live in separate sections of town Time period is 1933-35 during the years of the Great depression Time period is 1933-35 during the years of the Great depression

15. Literary Devices-Symbolism The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence in the novel Miss Maudie tells the children “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they never do harm

16. Literary Devices Motifs- recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that help develop the themes Motifs- recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that help develop the themes ex: small town life old fashioned values old fashioned values gothic details gothic details

17. Literary Devices Allusions- references to various places, people, things, historical events, or other works of literature Allusions- references to various places, people, things, historical events, or other works of literature Idioms- expressions or phrases that have meanings different than a literal interpretation would suggest Idioms- expressions or phrases that have meanings different than a literal interpretation would suggest

18. Themes Prejudice and Tolerance Prejudice and Tolerance Guilt and Innocence Guilt and Innocence Justice Justice Knowledge and Ignorance Courage and Cowardice