Intro Notes for To Kill a Mockingbird Nelle

Intro Notes for To Kill a Mockingbird

Nelle Harper Lee • Born 1926 • Died February 2016

To Kill a Mockingbird • • • Published in 1960 Pulitzer Prize 1961 2015 Go Set a Watchman published GSAW tells the story of 26 year-old Jean Louise “Scout” Finch GSAW first draft of TKAM Publishers asked for the story of young Scout

Parallels between Lee’s childhood and the novel • • Grew up in 1930 s Rural southern town of Monroeville, AL Father was a lawyer Older brother Childhood friend, Truman Capote—worked together as adults, too Voracious reader and tomboy Mother’s maiden name Finch

Monroeville = Maycomb

Monroeville in the 1930 s

Truman Capote = Dill

Amasa Coleman Lee = Atticus

Historical Context: Scottsboro Boys • • March 25, 1931, freight train stops in Northern Alabama 9 black teenagers arrested, ages 12 -19 2 white women accuse the boys of rape Names: Roy Wright, Olen Montgomery, Clarence Norris, Haywood Patterson, Ozie Powell, Willie Roberson, Charlie Weems, Eugene Williams, and Andy Wright • Many of the boys remained on death row for years • Case settled in 1976 with pardon of last defendants • Jury ignores evidence: no injuries

Emmett Till • • • 1955 14 year-old boy From Chicago visiting Mississippi Flirts with a white female cashier Days later, 2 white men kidnap, beat, and murder him White men on trial for murder, but acquitted by an all-white, male jury • Launched the Civil Rights Movement

To Kill a Mockingbird • This book has been considered one of the major civil rights books of the 20 th century • However, not everyone agrees • Book vilifies racist characters, but also includes white people using the Nword • Over the unit, you will be reading differing opinions on these issues and will decide for yourself “Being uncomfortable with history is not means to change it. People need to figure out how to confront issues. ” – Chris Sergel