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