To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee INTRODUCTION
To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL
Meet the Author: Harper Lee
Introduction to the Novel About the Author To Kill A Mockingbird is semi-autobiographical for a number of reasons: Lee grew up in Alabama Father was prominent lawyer Experienced Great Depression, Scottsboro Trials “Scout” based on her life; “Dill” based on life of childhood friend
Characters
Jean Louise Finch “Scout” q The story’s narrator q Scout is six when the story begins. q She is naturally curious about life.
Jem Finch q Scout’s older brother q Looks up to his father Atticus q Usually looks out for Scout q Matures as the story progresses
Atticus Finch q q q Father of Scout and Jem An attorney by profession Highly respected Good citizen Instills good values and morals in his children.
Dill q A close friend of Jem and Scout q Usually lives in Maycomb only during the summer (stays with a relative) q Tells “big stories”
Calpurnia q The Finch’s black housekeeper q Has watched the children since their mother’s death q Has been a positive influence on the children.
Tom Robinson q q A young black man Has a crippled left hand Married with three children. Works on a farm belonging to Mr. Link Deas, a white man
Arthur “Boo” Radley q An adult man, whose father has “sentenced” him to a lifetime confinement to their house q Has a reputation of being crazy q Sometimes childlike in behavior
Mayella Ewell q The oldest child of Bob Ewell q Shy q Lonely
Miss Maudie Atkinson q Scout’s Neighbor q Loves gardens and bakes the best cake in Maycomb q Treat children like adults
Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose q A mean old woman in the Finch neighborhood q Teaches the children a lesson in bravery
Aunt Alexandra q Atticus’s sister q Wants Scout to be a lady q Wants Jem to be a gentleman
Bob Ewell q Mayella’s poor father
Heck Tate q The town sheriff
Key Concept
“Us vs. Them” Mentality Examples Whites vs. Blacks Rich vs. Poor Girls vs. Boys
Historical Context
To Kill A Mockingbird was written in the early 1960 s, and is set in the early 1930 s **It is important to understand what was happening in the world when the novel is set AND when it was written.
Time Period Average family income dropped to 50% by 1935 25% of population had no job GREAT DEPRESSION Thousands lost homes, farms and possessions A period of extreme drought, poverty and hardships during the 1930 s. Stock Market Crash caused people to lose billions. Entire banks were wiped out and by 1933 over 60% of population was considered poor The novel takes place during the mid-1930 s at a time when the government was attempting to stop the Great Depression. President Franklin Roosevelt, famously said, “the only thing to fear is fear itself” as his government created programs to create jobs, house the homeless and feed the starving.
Historical Background • The setting – Maycomb, Georgia – 1933 -1935 – – Great Depression Hitler in power in Germany
Historical Background • Racial Tension • Slavery was abolished in 1864, but Southerners still believe in white supremacy. • Segregation exists. Blacks may not sit in the same sections as whites. They have separate facilities as well.
Historical Background • Gender Bias – Women were the weaker sex. – Education not important for women. – Wealthy women were expected to supervise staff – Men were not seen as nurturing
Social Inequality Wealthy The Finches White folks of Maycomb & White Maycomb County Town/Country People The Ewell Family Poor White Tom Robinson Black People Even the law was one-sided: Juries were always all-white and allmale.
Racism and Social Classes Although slavery was abolished in the 1890 s racism and discrimination were alive and well during the time of the novel. The novel is based on many historical facts that help to drive the story, (and allow the readers to explore a sad time in American history) including: Jim Crow Laws (1890 s – 1960 s) Scottsboro Trials (1931) Social Inequality
To Kill a Mockingbird In the Fall of 1960, in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, To Kill a Mockingbird was published. It shot to the top of the New York Times best seller list. A country was finally ready to listen to the story of segregation and open their minds to the possibility of an America where Whites and Blacks could live together as equals.
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