TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD BY HARPER LEE Lesson

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD BY HARPER LEE Lesson objectives Learn about the history of African Americans in the South through analysis of historical accounts. Demonstrate visual literacy skills effectively by interpreting and responding visual and audio information. Write a thought through introduction to the assignment. Use themes of racism, compassion, and tolerance in To Kill a Mockingbird.

At this stage you should all have a better grasp of how historical events and human forces have shaped relationships between black and white and rich and poor cultures in American society at the time especially in the south.

RECAP… QUIZ 10 MINS To It Kill a Mockingbird Quiz 1 is multiple choice, but explain why you have chosen the particular answer.

Key literary terms used in this lesson. Connotation Metaphor Imagery Dehumanisation Personification Symbolism Conscience Hypocrisy Contradiction Irony

Watch the video using your visual and interpretation skills ‘‘What happened at Auschwitz? ’’ Draw links to themes raised in the video How are the issues raised in the video relevant in todays world. Can you draw links between the issues in the video and the issues raised in To Kill a Mockingbird. Once again, the use shoes as a symbolism in the video, how this work in ‘To kill a Mockingbird. ’ http: //www. theguardian. com/world/video/20 15/jan/27/what-happened-auschwitz-70 thanniversary-video

‘‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb in his skin and walk around in it. ” “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them…’’

Auschwitz 70 th anniversary Holocaust Memorial Day (27 January) is a national commemoration day in the United Kingdom dedicated to the remembrance of those who suffered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution. But also in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The chosen date is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by the Soviet Union in 1945. Some 1. 1 million people, mostly Jews, were killed there between 1940 and 1945, when Soviet troops liberated it.

Contextual Recap Tom Robinson's Trial Occurs in the 1930 s. It takes place in southern Alabama. Begins with a charge of rape made by a white woman against an African American man The poor white status of Mayella is a critical issue. A central figure is Atticus, lawyer, legislator. Atticus arouses anger in the community in trying to defend Tom Robinson. The verdict is rendered by a jury of poor white residents The jury ignores evidence, for example, that Tom has a useless left arm. Attitudes about Southern women and poor whites complicate the trial of Tom Robinson. - ‘‘That nigger yonder took advantage of me, an’ if you fine fancy gentlemen don’t wanta do nothin’ about it then you’re all yellow stinkin’ coward, stinkin’ cowards, the lot of you. ’’ (p 207)

SETTING � Maycomb, Alabama (fictional city) � 1933 -1935 � Although slavery has long been abolished, the Southerners in Maycomb continue to believe in white supremacy.

“JIM CROW” LAWS From the 1880 s to the 1960 s most states enforced segregation through the “Jim Crow” laws named after a black-faced character in minstrel shows. Through these laws legal punishments could be imposed on people for having contact with members of another race.

‘‘A Negro would not pass the Radley Place at night, he would cut across to the sidewalk opposite…’’ (p 9)

After the Civil War, The Ku Klux Klan was formed as a secret society that promoted white supremacy using violence and terrorism to undo the gains that former slaves had made. However, after the 1920 s the KKK was no longer secretive about their work and public violence against Blacks, including lynching, became common occurrences.

LYNCH MOB ln Alabama. . . they used to lynch Negroes. In the novel, just before Tom’s trial a mob led by Mr Cunningham demands that Atticus surrenders Tom to them…. , can you ‘climb into Tom’s skin’ and see the fear in his eyes. . . and worse. . . the shame. What was his crime that he should be persecuted, without trial, in the dark? Was he a thief? Was he a killer? Or just a Negro? Were his children waiting up for him? And who are we to just lie there and do nothing? No matter what he did, the mob and Mr Ewell were the criminals But the law did nothing, this should leave you wondering why? . . . From here argue the point of Unfairness and cruelty

LEGAL ISSUES OF THE 1930’S WHICH IMPACT THE STORY Women given the vote in 1920 Juries were MALE and WHITE “Fair trial” did not include acceptance of a black man’s word against a white man’s

AFTER WW 1 Even though Blacks had fought bravely for the US in WW 1, they returned home from Europe to find the same, if not worse, discrimination and segregation. The economic struggles of the 1930 s seemed only to worsen the situation.

THE GREAT DEPRESSION (1930 S) The Depression hit the South especially hard Everyone, seemed to be living in poverty Americans turned away from the rest of the world and away from each other During these years of turmoil, discontent started to grow in the minds of Whites and Blacks alike.

ASSIGNMENT TITLE How does Harper Lee show the treatment of Tom Robinson is unfair and cruel in To Kill A Mockingbird? Look particularly at the way Tom is treated by Bob Ewell and Atticus.

UNDERSTAND WHAT THE QUESTION IS ASKING…. Cruel Prejudiced. Color Brutish Tom’s Treatment Discrimi natory Barbaric Onesided

INTRODUCTION Firstly, explain the rigid/unyielding social structure of Maycomb and Tom’s place in it. Remember- we talked about the social hierarchy Show segregation of black and white and the position of the black community in the southern US in 1930 s. Atticus refers to racism as ‘‘Maycomb’s usual disease’’ Why is that? , explain, expand…

SECONDLY… Mention the all-white Jury at Tom’s trial You could explain how the structural layout of the court, emphasises segregation. E. g. (Blacks not allowed to mix with the whites) Preserving How the ‘‘code of society’’ this leaves Tom in isolation and at mercy of all the gazing judgemental eyes of the whites - that is unfair.

A general point about the trial is that the jury is made up solely of white men/ ‘‘farmers’’, as black men (or women) were not allowed to sit on juries. This establishes the fact that the odds are heavily stacked against Tom Robinson as soon as the case comes to court. Therefore the whole trial is seen as an unfair one right from the start.

You have 20 mins Attempt to write your introduction in accordance to the information provided. Make sure you explain how the above points are UNFAIR to Tom Robinson

Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is an almost faultless representation of how the “white” word dominated the “black” word in the South. The novel shows that a white person’s word, no matter how faulted, was more readily accepted than any black person’s word. Allowing a “Negro’s” word to be accepted over “white” word would make southern society less secure in its assumed superiority. The southern “superiority” over Negroes had existed since the time of the slave trade and continued after the emancipation, out of fear. As long as Negroes were considered “property, ” they were protected by their “value. ” Following the abolition of legal slavery, their economic protection vanished, and the southern white population feared their infiltration with society. Out of fear came hate in the white southern community. Organizations reflecting their hate were created, such as the Ku Klux Klan. Lynchings, unjustified convictions, and severe economic oppression were all part of Negro-life in the south between 1925193. . .

MAIN BODY Plenty of examples of CRUEL and UNFAIR treatment, and how exactly it’s cruel and unfair by: Bob Ewell Mayella Ewell Mr Gilmer Heck Tate

TRIAL EVIDENCE…WHAT EVIDENCE? No Medical evidence Tom’s Crippled Left hand Changing narratives of the crime • Mayella physical condition and the nature of her injuries warranted immediate medical attention (p 193) • Can you see the Irony- (Ewell claiming to care when clearly he doesn’t) • Mayella had a black eye on her right • Mr Ewell writes with his left hand…very incriminating • Heard, and seen • Asked and told

‘‘He stood and pointed his finger at Tom Robinson. ‘-I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!’’ (p 190) CONTRADICTION ‘‘I don’t remember too good, but the next thing I knew Papa was in the room a’standin’ over me hollerin’ ‘‘Who done it, who done it? ’’ (p 199) You can also argue that the imagery of Mr Ewell standing over her could imply the abusive nature of their relationship….

Visual Plan Jury, the layout of the court-think Isolation/ segregation Tom’s death-shot 17 times-symbolism of power-the dog was only shot once. Cruel and Unfair Lynch Mobresembled the cuninghams Evidence contradicts itself. Mayella is not a reliable witness. Her injuries No medical evidence

Evidence is ignored by the jury. No medical report/no doctor The use of language. Heck Tate ‘‘Nigger’’, ‘‘Robinson’’, ‘‘Boy’’ Unfair and Cruel When comparing the two men. Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson, its unfair that the jury believes the Ewells

You should make distinctions between Tom being treated Unfairly and being treated Cruelly. Try to give examples of both. You must say why each example is cruel or unfair

You can write about how Tom is treated unfairly by: The Social system The Judicial system How these systems are not ready to embrace change and equality for the black community. For example….

Language is a powerful tool in this novel the language of the children, the eloquence of Atticus, and the language of the towns’ people which reflects their attitudes and often their prejudices. This language reveals the power of words to establish what (and who) society values most. Language choice and style have the power to confer/give status and value, to elevate, and to wound. Notice the importance attributed to names and titles in the novel. How does the way the characters in the novel address or nickname the people below reveal status, entitlement, and power?

Mr. Jem Mrs. Dubose Miss Maudie Atticus Finch Mr. Finch Calpurnia, Cal Tom Robinson Mayella Ewell Rev. Sykes Boo Rad ley (Is "Boo" his real name? ) Scout, Miss Jean Louise Finch SAMPLE: Black woman, no title, no status. Black man, no title, no status. Poor white woman, no title, no status reacts angrily when called "Miss" by Atticus.

The power of Language… Mr. Ewell says, ‘‘I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!’’ Mr. Ewell may be barely literate, but he is very good when it comes to offensive language. The way he phrases his accusation achieves an impressive feat of multitasking. Firstly, he dehumanises Tom (he doesn't use Tom's name, or even the pronoun "he") Emphasizes Tom's race over everything else (the redundancy of "black nigger") Compares Tom to a beast ("rutting" is usually applied to animals. Portrays Mayella as a passive victim (she's the indirect object of the sentence) Asserts power over his daughter ("my Mayella, " as if Tom's trying to steal Ewell's property)

Not bad for a mere ten words— no wonder the crowd goes wild!!!

EVIDENCE…ANALYSING QUOTATIONS Mr Ewell testifies that, ‘‘I heard Mayella screaming’ like a stuck hog inside the house-’’ (p 190) The evidence changes, this suggests unreliability. The imagery of a screaming ‘stuck hog’ creates a vivid and distorted picture to the jury which falsely incriminates Tom Robinson. In addition the simile implies that Mayella was a powerless victim of Tom Robinson. This again paints Tom Robinson as brutal individual, contrary to the innocent and the helpful nature of his character.

Expanding your analysis… The imagery of animals is again used to inforce the inhumane treatment that Tom Robinson receives in the court of law. Language plays a vital role in falsely incriminating Tom Robinson. In this instance Tom is referred to as ‘black nigger ruttin’, the term ‘rutting’ here plays a vital role through language by invoking powerful sexual imageries that are relatable to animals having sex. This is cruel and further heightens the unfair treatment of Tom Robinson.

SYMBOLISM Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’ …. ‘mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird. (p 99100) Be careful when you argue that Tom Robinson is a Mockingbird. You need to clearly explain your assumption and expand on it as to why it is unfair or cruel.

He is the sheriff of Maycomb County, Heck Tate's official role is maintaining law and order. Symbolise power/misplaced. He doesn’t change his testimony even after he realises that Tom’s left hard is crippled hence Innocent (P 183) Mr Tate He uses an offensive term ‘‘some nigger’d raped his girl’’ (P 182) In the court of law. When Tom is held in the Maycomb jail the night before the trial, Tate warns Atticus in advance that he might not be able to protect Tom. Leaving Atticus to face down the lynch mob without official backup.

Mr Tate… “I'm not a very good man, sir, but I am sheriff of Maycomb County. Lived in this town all my life an' I'm goin' on forty-three years old. Know everything that's happened here since before I was born. There's a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for it's dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time, Mr. Finch. Let the dead bury the dead. “ Can you see the Irony/hypocrisy, he is eager to implement justice after Tom’s death, knowing that his reputation is no longer at stake in the public--- He is actions are hypocritical. That is unfair to TOM

In order to convict Tom, the jury has to believe, or at least pretend to believe in, the fragile, helpless girl who gets taken advantage of by Tom, rather than see her as a desperate, lonely teenager who actively desires him. It's not just ideals of women at stake, but also of men Mayella is shiftless and trashy she even live by a dump. But when she takes the stand, she represents something else entirely: a flower of "Southern womanhood ‘‘No, I don't recollect if he hit me. I meant yes I do, he hit me. ’’ She is an Unreliable witness ‘‘She seemed somehow fragile-looking, but when she sat facing us in the witness chair she became what she was, a thickbodied girl accustomed to strenuous labor. ’’ (p 197) Mayella Ewell The use of word such as "young" and "fragile-looking" give the impression that Mayella Ewell is an innocent girl in a very difficult situation, made worst by the trial and the events that had lead to the accusation its self. (p 197)

Bob Ewell is the head of a family that has been "the disgrace of Maycomb for three generations“. He considered human trash by the Maycomb community, the Ewell’s live in a shotgun shack by the dump. Ewell has no ambition to improve his life; instead, he spends his welfare checks on whiskey and abuses Mayella, his daughter Ewell's "nearest neighbours" are African-Americans, so racism (and sexism) is the only way that Ewell can feel superior to anybody. Bob Ewell Respect for others is as foreign to Ewell as personal hygiene. His accusations of Tom's supposed crime is given in the most offensive language possible, calculated to stir up people's emotions There's not a single white man in Maycomb who's not above Ewell in the community hierarchy, so he turns venomously on anyone he can put below him: African-Americans and women.

Mr Gilmer and the manner/methods in which he questions Tom Robinson ‘Robinson, you’re pretty good at busting up chiffarobes and kindling with one hand, aren’t you? ‘Yes suh, I reckon so’ Strong enough to choke the breath out of a woman and sling her to the floor? ’ (p 217) These are closed ended questions they require Yes or No If Tom says No he lies If he says Yes he incriminates himself Is that fair treatment in the court of law. Contrast this with how treats Mayella, very careful not hurt her feelings- ‘‘he is gentleman’’

Consider these quotations from TKAM ‘‘Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong. . ’’ ‘‘The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience. ’’ Atticus (p 116) Contrast this with the idea of democracy and the Judicial system.

‘‘Any man more right than his neighbour's constitutes a majority of one. ’’ The beauty and the burden of democracy is this: no idea prevails without the support of the majority. The people decide the moral issues of the day, not a majority of one. However, it can be argued that majorities do not decide what is right or wrong. Can you see how this works in To kill a mockingbird Atticus is a majority of One against the Jury made of the majority. This implies that, Tom Robinson has no chance at all of being acquitted. That is Unfair

Atticus proves Bob is left-handed, providing circumstantial evidence that Bob attacked Mayella. Atticus says, “Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left” (216). Bob signs a warrant “with his left hand, ” whereas Tom takes “the oath with the only good hand he possesses his right hand” (216). Bob is “led” by the immoral left, but Tom tells the truth, swearing with his “good” right hand. Tom’s “good arm” parallels Atticus’s “good eye, ” and in both cases “good” implies good moral function and virtue.

NOTES ON THE TRAIL Chapters 17 to 22 Make some notes that you personally understand capable to use in your assignment

PLAN OF ESSAY There is more than one plan

Nothing that erodes the rule of law can be moral. But there was no rule of law in the Jim Crow South, not when Negroes are lynched and sentenced to death without a fair trial.