To Kill A Mockingbird Background

Journal: What can you predict about the book based on

these covers?

Book cover analysis

Book cover analysis

Harper Lee

Born April 28,1926 and grew up in 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 Published in 1960

Awarded the Pulitzer (a prize awarded annually for journalism, literature and music) in 1961* BIG HONOR!

To Kill A Mockingbird is the ONLY novel written by Harper Lee

Takes place during The Great Depression (1930s)

Inspired by Harper Lee’s Childhood Story takes place in Maycomb (fictionalized

Monroeville where Lee grew up)

Inspired by Harper Lee’s Childhood Lee was also described

as a tom-boy, and she shares many similarities to Scout (the main character).

Lee’s father was a lawyer and the inspiration for the Atticus character.

Inspired by Harper Lee’s Childhood Scout’s friend Dill is based on Lee’s childhood friend

Truman Capote (author of In Cold Blood)

Literary Terms to Know

Idiom: phrases with words in them that do not mean what they should mean. They cannot be understood literally.

Example: to kick the bucket

Write 3 idioms in your notes.

Literary Terms to Know 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… 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.)

Figurative Language Especially idioms

Characterization Direct vs. Indirect

Direct vs. Indirect CharacterizationDIRECT 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

To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during “The Great Depression” (1930s)

The stock market crashed in 1929, which resulted in the depression.

The Great DepressionThe First Two Years… 25% of people wanting work

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” YouTube - To Kill a

Mockingbird Great Depression Background