TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

By Harper Lee

Harper Lee Lee published To Kill a Mockingbird when

she was 34 years old, and it is the only novel she ever published.

Lee grew up in Monroeville, Alabama and she is a descendent of Robert E. Lee.

Her father was a state senator and lawyer in Monroeville, and the inspiration for her character Atticus Finch.

Lee’s mother’s maiden name was Finch. Scout’s character is based on Lee Received the Pulitzer Prize for her novel

The Basis for To Kill a Mockingbird

The story is strongly centered on real events that occurred in the South in the 1930s.

Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a poor white girl, Mayella Ewell. This story line is based on the Scottsboro Trials.

The Great Depression plays a large part in the story. Many families had nothing.

Segregation was heavily enforced.

Exposition Maycomb, Alabama 1933—1935 The story takes place after the abolishment of

slavery, but the white Southerners tend to still believe in white supremacy.

Main characters Atticus Finch Scout (Jean Louise) Finch, daughter of Atticus Jem (Jeremy) Finch, son of Atticus Dill (Charles) Harris, friend of the Finch children Calpurnia, housekeeper/cook/nanny of the Finch

family Boo Radley, neighborhood Boogie Man Tom Robinson, Atticus’s client

The First Plot Line

The first plot line tells the story of Boo Radley. Boo Radley, or Arthur Radley, is the mysterious

recluse neighbor of the Finches. Boo Radley is rarely, if ever, seen outside of his home. He is cared for by his brother, Nathan, after the death

of his parents. The rumors surrounding Boo make him out to be a

psychotic killer with a taste for small animals, and possibly children.

The story of Boo Radley allows the reader to get to know Jem, Scout, and Dill as the adventurous, superstitious children that they are.

The Second Plot Line

The second plot of the novel is the story of Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is accused of raping Mayella

Ewell. Atticus Finch represents Tom Robinson. Jem and Scout put up with a lot of abuse from

their classmates because of this. The all white jury convicts Tom Robinson. Robinson attempts to escape from jail and is

shot to death. These events turn the plot line back to Boo

Radley.

Themes

Racial Prejudice Social Snobbery Morality Tolerance Patience Equality The need for compassion The need for conscience

Symbolism

The mockingbird symbolizes everything that is good and harmless in the world. It only sings to please others, and it is a sin to

shoot one. This image, or symbol, appears four times in

the novel. The mockingbird represents two characters:

Boo Radley and Tom Robinson.

Jean Louise Finch“Scout”

Narrator of the story 6 years old when the story

begins Very curious Very smart Can read and write before

starting school Outspoken—Scout says

what she thinks, even is she knows it might get her into trouble

Characterization of Scout

Dynamic Round She is a tomboy, impulsive, emotional,

friendly, sensitive, and very caring about others.

Jeremy Finch“Jem”

Scout’s older brother Looks up to his father

and wants to be like him

Looks out for Scout Smart Compassionate Dynamic Round

Atticus Finch

Father of Jem and Scout Widower Attorney and politician Very well respected by his

peers Instills good values and

morals in his children Honest Brave Courteous

Calpurnia

Housekeeper for the Finches

Has cared for the children since their mother’s death

Taught Scout to write The only mother figure

in the children’s lives

Arthur Radley“Boo”

Mysterious man Surrounded by suspicion and rumors Reputed to be crazy Recluse Turns out to be harmless, and caring Somewhat childlike Saves Jem and Scout from danger

Tom Robinson

A young, harmless, innocent, hardworking, black man

Has a crippled left hand

Married, has three children

Works on a farm Falsely accused of

raping Mayella Ewell

Dill

Friend of Jem and Scout

Only lives in Maycomb for the summer

Tell stories BIG imagination

Cunnighams vs Ewells

Poor white family Hard-working Proud Honest Survive on very

little Always find a way

to pay their debts

Poor white trash Dirty Lazy Never work Foul-mouthed Dishonest Immoral

The Black Community in Maycomb

Honest Clean Hard-working God fearing Proud Respectful Strong character/morals Oppressed Under educated Discriminated against

Tone

Somber Serious Humorous at times