Understanding the Deep South in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee

1. To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

2. Author’s Background • Born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926 • Born in Monroeville, Alabama, a small city w/ a population of about 7,000 people • Youngest of three children

3. Author’s Background • Father- Amasa Coleman Lee- began practicing law in 1915 • Mother- Frances Cunningham Finch Lee • Attended Huntington College from 1944-45

4. Author’s Background • Studied Law @ University of Alabama from 1945-49 • Attended Oxford for one year • Left school to move to New York and pursue a career as a writer

5. Author’s Background • Worked in NY for BOAC airlines • First submitted To Kill A Mockingbird for publication in 1957 • Worked on revisions for 3 years/ published in 1960

6. Author’s Background • Won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 • Never published another novel, but did publish several essays • Rumors report that she is working on a second novel

7. Historical Context • Novel takes place in Alabama in the 1930’s • Time of the Great Depression • Although slavery was abolished in 1863, African Americans were still denied many rights • Segregation exists in schools, public bathrooms, busses and many other public places

8. Historical Context • A great deal of discrimination existed in the justice system • African Americans were not allowed to be on juries • Blacks were often arrested, tried, and convicted with little cause

9. Historical Context- the South • Agricultural economy was hit hard by the depression • Many white southerners had a romanticized idea of how life should be • They felt threatened by change and industrialization

10. Historical Context-the South • Little opportunity for African Americans to advance themselves • Nearly half of all blacks in the South did not receive an education past the 5th grade • Racist groups like the Ku Klux Clan and the Black Shirts terrorized blacks • Lynching was still a common practice

11. The Scottsboro Trials • Many parallels between the trial of Tom Robinson in the novel & the Scottsboro Trials • In 1931, 9 young African American males are stopped on a freight train in Alabama • They are arrested, tried, and convicted of the rape of two white women • The men were pardoned in 1976

12. Literary Devices- Point of View • One of the most distinctive characteristics of the novel • The story is told from the perspective of a child who is approx 6 years old when the story begins

13. Literary Devices-Setting • Entire story takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama • The small town is conservative and traditional • Blacks and whites live in separate sections of town • Time period is 1933-35 during the years of the Great depression

14. Literary Devices-Symbolism • The mockingbird is a symbol of innocence in the novel • Miss Maudie tells the children “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they never do harm

15. Literary Devices • Motifs- recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that help develop the themes ex: small town life old fashioned values gothic details

16. Literary Devices • Allusions- references to various places, people, things, historical events, or other works of literature • Idioms- expressions or phrases that have meanings different than a literal interpretation would suggest

17. Main Characters • Jean Louise Finch- known as Scout; the narrator of the novel; tomboyish and very bright • Jeremy Finch- known as Jem; Scout’s older brother

18. Main Charaters • Atticus Finch- Scout’s widowed father; works as a lawyer; a model of tolerance and understanding

19. Main Characters • Calpurnia- the Finch’s black housekeeper; has helped to raise the children since the death of their mother • Charles Baker Harris- known as Dill; Scout and Jem’s “summer friend” • Miss Maudie Atkinson- favorite neighbor of the Finches; speaks to the children as equals

20. Main Characters • Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose- mean neighbor of the Finches; often harasses the children • Walter Cunningham (Jr. & Sr.)- the poor but noble family who “never took anything they couldn’t pay back” • Heck Tate- the town sheriff

21. Main Characters • Arthur Radley- referred to as “Boo”; the reclusive neighbor that both fascinates and frightens the children • Bob Ewell- head of the Ewell family; drunk, unemployed, full of hate & anger • Mayella Ewell- eldest daughter of the Ewell’s; responsible for the care of her 7 siblings; accuses Tom Robinson of rape

22. Major Characters • Tom Robinson- young, hard working black man; has a mangled arm; accused of raping Mayella Ewell • Judge John Taylor- presiding judge in the rape case; sympathetic toward Tom Robinson • Dolphus Raymond-local man from a good white family; prefers to live w/ the blacks; lets people think he’s a drunk

23. Prejudice and Tolerance Guilt and Innocence Justice Knowledge and Ignorance Courage and Cowardice Themes