To Kill a MockingbirdTo Kill a Mockingbird
By Harper Lee
1930’s - Great Depression 1930’s - Great Depression began when the stock market began when the stock market
crashed in October, 1929crashed in October, 1929 Businesses failed,
factories closed– People were out of work– Even people with money
suffered because nothing was being produced for sale.
Poor people lost their homes, were forced to “live off the land.”
Racial prejudice was alive & well. Racial prejudice was alive & well. Although slavery had ended in 1864, Although slavery had ended in 1864,
old ideas were slow to change. old ideas were slow to change.
Racial separation (segregation)Racial separation (segregation)
Prejudice in the novelPrejudice in the novel
Race
Gender
Handicaps
Rich/Poor
Age
Religion
PrejudicePrejudice
1. Injury resulting from an unfair judgment or action of another.
2. A judgment or opinion formed before considering or without knowing the facts.
AUTHOR’SAUTHOR’S LINKS TO THE LINKS TO THE NOVEL’S PLOT AND NOVEL’S PLOT AND
CHARACTERSCHARACTERS Harper Lee’s father was a Southern lawyer. He
served as the prototype for Atticus Finch. Harper Lee’s age (6 to 8) correlates with Scout’s
age during 1933-1935, the time period of the book.
The courtroom in Maycomb is patterned after the one in Monroeville where Harper Lee observed her father in courtroom proceedings.
Some of the novel’s characters are composites of people Harper Lee knew personally; for example, the author Truman Capote as Dill.
Tom Robinson’s trial appears to be a composite of many trials in the South, specifically the Scottsboro trials.
"The Scottsboro Boys" Trials"The Scottsboro Boys" Trials 1931 - 19371931 - 1937
Alleged rape of two white girls by nine black teenagers on the Southern Railroad freight run from Chattanooga to Memphis on March 25, 1931. The story of the Scottsboro Boys is one of the most shameful examples of injustice in our nation's history.
CHARACTERSCHARACTERS
ATTICUS FINCH – lawyer, father of Scout and Jem; widower
JEAN LOUISE “SCOUT” FINCH – adult narrator as story begins; narrates story in retrospect; relates events
that begin when she is 6 years old. JEM FINCH – Scout’s brother, who is 4
years older than she. CHARLES BAKER “DILL” HARRIS – 7-
year-old visitor to Maycomb; acts as a catalyst
MORE CHARACTERSMORE CHARACTERS
ARTHUR “BOO” RADLEY – neighborhood recluse
CALPURNIA – the black housekeeper for the Finch family
AUNT ALEXANDRA – Scout & Jem’s aunt
MAUDE ATKINSON – friend of Finch family
MORE CHARACTERSMORE CHARACTERS
TOM ROBINSON – black man accused of raping a white girl
MAYELLA EWELL – the girl who accuses Tom of rape
BOB EWELL – Mayella’s fatherHECK TATE – sheriff of Maycomb
CHARACTERSAS
SYMBOLS
Innocence
Justice
Helpfulness
BigotryOr
Prejudice
Helplessness
JEMSCOUTDILL
ATTICUS
BOB EWELL
CALPURNIA&
MAUDIE
TOMROBINSON
&BOO
QUESTIONS TO QUESTIONS TO CONSIDERCONSIDER
1. What was America like during the time of this book?
2. What is the significance of the title with regards to the plot and symbolism?
3. What experiences and people did Harper Lee rely on in order to develop her plot and characters?
4. Is there still prejudice in America today?
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