To Kill A Mockingbird Background Journal What can

To Kill A Mockingbird Background Journal: What can you predict about the book based on these

Book cover analysis

Harper Lee n Born April 28, 1926 and grew up in n n Monroeville, Alabama. Full name: Nelle Harper Lee. The youngest of four children. Lee wanted to be a writer from the age of seven. Went to study Law in college but dropped out to pursue Writing in NYC.

To Kill A Mockingbird n Published in 1960 n Awarded the Pulitzer (a prize awarded annually for journalism, literature and music) in 1961* BIG HONOR! n To Kill A Mockingbird is the ONLY novel written by Harper Lee n Takes place during The Great Depression (1930 s)

Inspired by Harper Lee’s Childhood n Story takes place in Maycomb (fictionalized Monroeville where Lee grew up)

Inspired by Harper Lee’s Childhood n Lee was also described as a tom-boy, and she shares many similarities to Scout (the main character). n Lee’s father was a lawyer and the inspiration for the Atticus character.

Inspired by Harper Lee’s Childhood n Scout’s friend Dill is based on Lee’s childhood friend Truman Capote (author of In Cold Blood)

Literary Terms to Know n Idiom: phrases with words in them that do not mean what they should mean. They cannot be understood literally. n Example: to kick the bucket n Write 3 idioms in your notes.

Literary Terms to Know n Frame Story: A single story where the opening and closing constitutes the frame, and the actual story that is told is inside as a reflection. Narrator presents the story as a reflection or flashback (I. e. character is older, looking back on his/her life and telling the reader the story of some part of his or life. )

To look for when you read… n What common themes do you see as the story progresses? (Unlike with The Odyssey, you will be responsible to develop these themes as we read. ) n Figurative Language n Especially idioms n Characterization n Direct vs. Indirect

Direct vs. Indirect Characterization DIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer makes direct statements about a character's personality and tells what the character is like. INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION - the writer reveals information about a character and his personality through that character's thoughts, words, and actions, along with how other characters respond to that character, including what they think and say about him.

Historical Background: The Great Depression n To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during “The Great Depression” (1930 s) n The stock market crashed in 1929, which resulted in the depression.

The Great Depression The First Two Years… n 25% of people wanting work n n n could not find jobs. Stock Market lost 80% of it’s value. Over 13 million people lost their jobs. Farm prices fell 53% Thousands of banks closed and people withdrew their money in a panic. ½ of Americans lived below the subsistence level (meaning they had less money than was necessary for food and shelter).

More on “The Great Depression n You. Tube - To Kill a Mockingbird Great Depression Background