Unit 4: To Kill a Mockingbirdand the American Dream

Warm-Up

Jim Crow Laws

Introduction to TKaM

Homework

Warm-Up:Review the Jim Crow Laws handout. Select one and discuss your reaction.

Unit Essential Questions:• What impact does historical, cultural, geographical, and social context have on a novel and on the reaction of readers to it?

• What are the characteristics of bildungsroman and how does TKaM fit into this category?

Summative TaskHow do the authors of this unit

use diction to express a vision of The American Dream? Do you agree or disagree with the portrayal each author provides of the dream?

“Jim Crow” Laws• From the 1880s to the

1960s 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.

“ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Dr. Martin Luther King

Historical Background

• The setting • Maycomb, Georgia• 1933-1935• Great Depression• Hitler in power in Germany

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

Historical Background

• 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.

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

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

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

Historical Background

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

Poor White Families•Hard-working•Honest•Proud•Survive on very little•Always pay back their debts – even if it is with hickory nuts, turnips, or holly.•The Cunninghams fit this category

Historical Background

Poor white trash

•Dirty•Lazy•Good-for-nothing•Never done a day’s work•Foul-mouthed•Dishonest•Immoral•The Ewells fit this category

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

Historical BackgroundThe Black Community

•Simple•Honest•Clean•Hard-working•God fearing•Proud•Would never take anything with paying it back•Respectful•Had stronger character than most of the whites•Oppressed•Uneducated•Discriminated against•Talked about badly•Deserve better than what is dished out to them by society

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

CharactersJean Louise Finch “Scout”

The story’s narratorAlthough now an adult, Scout looks

back at her childhood and tells of the momentous events and influential people of those years.

Scout is six when the story begins.She is naturally curious about life.

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

CharactersAtticus Finch

Father of Scout and JemA widowerAn attorney by professionHighly respectedGood citizenInstills good values and morals in his

children.

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

CharactersJem Finch

Scout’s older brother

Looks up to his father Atticus

Usually looks out for Scout

Typical older brother at times

Smart

Compassionate

Matures as the story progresses

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

CharactersCalpurnia

The Finch’s black housekeeperHas watched the children since their

mother’s deathHas been a positive influence on the

children.

to kill a

mockingbird

by harper

lee

Bildungsroman

• Bildungsroman is a special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood.

• A Bildungsroman is a story of the growing up of a sensitive person who looks for answers to his questions through different experiences. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum.

• During the journey, the protagonist gains maturity gradually and with difficulty. Usually, the plot depicts a conflict between the protagonist and the values of society. Finally, he or she accepts those values and they are accepted by the society, ending the dissatisfaction. Such a type of novel is also known as a coming-of-age novel.

Language• Sometimes the language of Scout will be that of her as a child;

other times, she will be speaking in the voice of an adult• Atticus uses formal speech• Calpurnia uses “white language” in the Finch house and

switches to “black jargon” when amidst blacks• The Ewells use foul words and obscenities• Jem, Scout, and Dill will use slang words, typical of their age• Tom Robinson uses language typical of the southern black

such as “suh” for “sir” and “chillun” for “children”• Various derogatory terms for blacks will be used such as “n,”

“darky,” “Negroes,” and “colored folk” – Lee uses such language to keep her novel naturally in sync with common language of the times

Video – The “N” Word

What to Look For in Chapters 1-5

Scout Jem DillAtticus Calpurnia Boo

RadleyWalter

CunninghamRachel Caroline

FisherBurris Ewell

Gum Hot Steam

Molasses Cootie Read

Reading Dates

Read DueChapters 1 – 5 Monday 12/21Chapters 6 – 8 Tuesday 12/22Chapters 9 – 20 Monday 1/4Chapters 21 – 24 Tuesday 1/5Chapters 25 – 28 Wednesday 1/6Chapters 29 – end Thursday 1/7