to kill a mockingbird
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To Kill A Mockingbird. A True Classic By Harper Lee. Harper Lee and Her Novel. Family of Harper Lee. Born: April 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama…real name Nelle Harper Lee Parents: Amasa (father) Frances Cunningham Finch (mother) - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
To Kill A MockingbirdTo Kill A Mockingbird
A True ClassicA True Classic
ByBy
Harper LeeHarper Lee
Harper Lee and Her NovelHarper Lee and Her Novel
Family of Harper LeeFamily of Harper Lee
Born: Born: April 28, 1926 inApril 28, 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama…real name Nelle Monroeville, Alabama…real name Nelle Harper LeeHarper Lee
Parents: Parents: Amasa (father)Amasa (father)
Frances Cunningham Finch (mother)Frances Cunningham Finch (mother)
Father: lawyer and served in the Alabama LegislatureFather: lawyer and served in the Alabama Legislature
Siblings of Harper LeeSiblings of Harper Lee
Youngest of four childrenYoungest of four children Sister: Alice was a lawyer and practiced with Sister: Alice was a lawyer and practiced with
her fatherher father Sister: Louise married Hank Conner and had Sister: Louise married Hank Conner and had
two childrentwo children Brother: Edwin Coleman married Sara Anne Brother: Edwin Coleman married Sara Anne
McCall and had two childrenMcCall and had two children
Education of Harper LeeEducation of Harper Lee
Youngest of four children…educated at Youngest of four children…educated at Monroeville public schoolsMonroeville public schools
Attended Huntingdon College 1944-45Attended Huntingdon College 1944-45 Studied law at the University of Alabama Studied law at the University of Alabama
1945-491945-49 Studied one year at Oxford University Studied one year at Oxford University
Employment of Harper LeeEmployment of Harper Lee
Worked as a reservation clerk with Eastern Air Worked as a reservation clerk with Eastern Air Lines and British Overseas Airline Company Lines and British Overseas Airline Company in 1950’sin 1950’s
Gave up job to focus on her writingGave up job to focus on her writing Divided her time between NYC and Divided her time between NYC and
MonroevilleMonroeville
Friends Growing UpFriends Growing Up
Growing up loved to write Growing up loved to write Truman Capote was her neighborTruman Capote was her neighbor
Born Sept. 30, 1924Born Sept. 30, 1924 Died Aug. 25, 1984Died Aug. 25, 1984 Wrote Wrote Breakfast at Tiffany’sBreakfast at Tiffany’s (1955) and (1955) and In Cold In Cold
Blood (1966)Blood (1966) Spent summers in MonroevilleSpent summers in Monroeville
Writing the NovelWriting the Novel
Compiled the storyCompiled the story Submitted it for publishing to J.B. Lippincott Submitted it for publishing to J.B. Lippincott
CompanyCompany Urged to rewrite because too much like a Urged to rewrite because too much like a
group of short stories rather than a novelgroup of short stories rather than a novel Worked with an editor for two and a half years Worked with an editor for two and a half years
to rewrite to rewrite Resubmitted in 1960Resubmitted in 1960
The Novel’s ReceptionThe Novel’s Reception
Published July 1960Published July 1960 Placed on best seller list for 85 weeks straightPlaced on best seller list for 85 weeks straight Printed in ten languagesPrinted in ten languages Became book of the monthBecame book of the month Became a Reader’s Digest condensed bookBecame a Reader’s Digest condensed book Paperback of the year in 1962Paperback of the year in 1962 Won the Pulitzer PrizeWon the Pulitzer Prize
To the Big ScreenTo the Big Screen
Made into a movieMade into a movie Gregory Peck won the Gregory Peck won the
Academy Award for his Academy Award for his role as Atticus Finchrole as Atticus Finch
Mary Badham Wilt Mary Badham Wilt played Scoutplayed Scout Nominated for Best Nominated for Best
Supporting Actress at Supporting Actress at age ten, but lost to Patty age ten, but lost to Patty DukeDuke
Movie Cast Dill: John Menga Miss Maudie: Rosemary Murphy Mrs. Dubose: Ruth White Tom Robinson: Brock Peters Calpurnia: Estelle Evans Mayella: Colin Wilcox Paxton Bob Ewell: James Anderson Aunt Stephanie: Alice Ghostley Boo: Robert Duvall Nathan: Richard Hale Jem: Philip Alford
Novel’s BackgroundNovel’s Background
The novel is based on the following:The novel is based on the following: National eventsNational events Specific peopleSpecific people Personal experiencePersonal experience
National EventsNational Events
Scottsboro TrialScottsboro Trial Alleged gang rape of two white girlsAlleged gang rape of two white girls Nine black teenagers accusedNine black teenagers accused Southern freight train from Chattanooga to MemphisSouthern freight train from Chattanooga to Memphis March 25, 1931March 25, 1931 April 9, 1931…nine were sentenced to deathApril 9, 1931…nine were sentenced to death Mistrial for the ninth because of his youthMistrial for the ninth because of his youth Executions suspended because of appealsExecutions suspended because of appeals November 7, 1932 US Supreme Court ordered new trials November 7, 1932 US Supreme Court ordered new trials
because they had not had adequate legal representationbecause they had not had adequate legal representation
Maycomb is Like MonroevilleMaycomb is Like Monroeville
Truman Capote was DillTruman Capote was Dill Atticus was based on Harper’s dadAtticus was based on Harper’s dad Calpurnia was similar to Hattie Belle Clausell the negro Calpurnia was similar to Hattie Belle Clausell the negro
woman who helped Harper Lee’s momwoman who helped Harper Lee’s mom The Radley family was similar to the Boleware family who The Radley family was similar to the Boleware family who
lived on the same street at Harper’s family…their son got into lived on the same street at Harper’s family…their son got into trouble with the law and was kept inside under the father’s trouble with the law and was kept inside under the father’s watch… very similar to Boowatch… very similar to Boo
Stores in the book are like those in Monroeville…the Stores in the book are like those in Monroeville…the courthouse was at the center of the town square in both placescourthouse was at the center of the town square in both places
Monroeville TodayMonroeville Today
Monroeville, the county seat of Monroe County, was named, like the county, for U. S. President James Monroe. The land was originally held by Creek Indians. Total size of the county is 1,019 square miles, the ninth largest of-Alabama's counties.
In and Around MonroevilleIn and Around MonroevilleTodayToday
Concepts from the NovelConcepts from the NovelLegal AspectsLegal Aspects
ProsecutionProsecution: The state of Alabama (Mr. Gilmer): The state of Alabama (Mr. Gilmer) DefenseDefense: Tom Robinson (Defendant) Atticus Finch (lawyer): Tom Robinson (Defendant) Atticus Finch (lawyer) JudgeJudge: Mr. Taylor: Mr. Taylor JuryJury: all white men who are farmers and uneducated: all white men who are farmers and uneducated Court:Court: old worn down inside and outside mighty Greek old worn down inside and outside mighty Greek
columns…oppositescolumns…opposites WitnessWitness: testifies to what he/she saw: testifies to what he/she saw SummationSummation: closing remarks: closing remarks EvidenceEvidence: eye witness account…no doctor: eye witness account…no doctor BenchBench: where the judge sits: where the judge sits
Flowers of the SouthFlowers of the South
HollyHolly CollardsCollards CamelliasCamellias AzaleasAzaleas CottonCotton ChinaberriesChinaberries DewberriesDewberries Pecan treePecan tree CannasCannas MimosaMimosa KudzuKudzu Hickory nutsHickory nuts ScuppernongsScuppernongs WisteriaWisteria GeraniumsGeraniums GardeniasGardenias Johnson grassJohnson grass
Scuppernongs
Chinaberries
Camellias
Foods of the SouthFoods of the South Collards Collards
Hickory nutsHickory nuts Fried chickenFried chicken ScuppernongsScuppernongs LemonadeLemonade Pound cakePound cake Lane cakeLane cake Ice creamIce cream HamHam Summer vegetablesSummer vegetables Peach picklesPeach pickles AmbrosiaAmbrosia Biscuits and butterBiscuits and butter CornbreadCornbread Pork and beansPork and beans
Fried pork chopsFried pork chops Coca colaCoca cola SardinesSardines CrackersCrackers Nehi colaNehi cola Potato saladPotato salad Pickled pigs’ knucklesPickled pigs’ knuckles CharlotteCharlotte Dewberry tartsDewberry tarts CookiesCookies DivinityDivinity Angel food cakeAngel food cake Biscuits and gravyBiscuits and gravy ButterbeansButterbeans
Culture of the 1930’sCulture of the 1930’s PeoplePeople
Amelia Earhart…1st woman to fly solo across AtlanticAmelia Earhart…1st woman to fly solo across Atlantic Jessie Owens…African American athlete...4 gold medals in track and Jessie Owens…African American athlete...4 gold medals in track and
field 1936…Olympics Berlinfield 1936…Olympics Berlin ArtArt
Mt. Rushmore completed by Gutzon BorglumMt. Rushmore completed by Gutzon Borglum Jason Pollock artistJason Pollock artist Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller CenterEmpire State Building, Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center
EducationEducation School terms shortened because depression led to short money supply-School terms shortened because depression led to short money supply-
taxestaxes Dick and Jane booksDick and Jane books
Culture Continued…Culture Continued… Fashion and FadsFashion and Fads
Hobby…stamp collectingHobby…stamp collecting Monopoly…20, 000 sets sold in a week in 1935Monopoly…20, 000 sets sold in a week in 1935 Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggioLou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio Zipper used in clothesZipper used in clothes
LiteratureLiterature WritersWriters
F. Scott FitzgeraldF. Scott Fitzgerald HemingwayHemingway SteinbeckSteinbeck WilderWilder
MusicMusic Duke EllingtonDuke Ellington Benny GoodmanBenny Goodman Glenn MillerGlenn Miller 1931 1931 Star Spangled BannerStar Spangled Banner
Culture Continued…Culture Continued… RadioRadio
80% people owned one by 193980% people owned one by 1939 Jack Benny Show…Lone RangerJack Benny Show…Lone Ranger…soap operas……soap operas…The ShadowThe Shadow
Science/TechnologyScience/Technology NY World’s Fair 1939 World of TomorrowNY World’s Fair 1939 World of Tomorrow Einstein immigrated to US in 1933 professor at PrincetonEinstein immigrated to US in 1933 professor at Princeton Better refrigerationBetter refrigeration Nylon madeNylon made 1938 photocopying started1938 photocopying started
Theater and FilmTheater and Film Hollywood flourishedHollywood flourished Clark Gable…Bette Davis…Shirley TempleClark Gable…Bette Davis…Shirley Temple Gone with the WindGone with the Wind
Culture Continued…Culture Continued…Dick and Jane Reader:Dick and Jane Reader:
Popular basal readerPopular basal reader Written by Zerna SharpWritten by Zerna Sharp 1930-19701930-1970 Relied on sight reading and repetition....ignored phonicsRelied on sight reading and repetition....ignored phonics Stories about family lifeStories about family life 1965 integration of school....characters changed1965 integration of school....characters changed Main original charactersMain original characters
JaneJane DickDick Spot Spot MomMom DadDad
CharactersCharactersAtticus FinchAtticus Finch
Ideal view of justiceIdeal view of justice Understands true worth of people whether black or whiteUnderstands true worth of people whether black or white Doesn’t allow prejudice to get in the wayDoesn’t allow prejudice to get in the way Teaches his children wellTeaches his children well Wants his kids to be compassionate and understanding of all Wants his kids to be compassionate and understanding of all
peoplepeople His sister doesn’t agree with all his beliefsHis sister doesn’t agree with all his beliefs Central figure…his name is a term that refers to greatness and Central figure…his name is a term that refers to greatness and
it implies learning, culture, and heroismit implies learning, culture, and heroism Source of strength and helpSource of strength and help Has a sense of integrityHas a sense of integrity
CharactersCharactersScout FinchScout Finch
Jean LouiseJean Louise NarratorNarrator Innocent young child…6 to 9 years oldInnocent young child…6 to 9 years old Open-mindedOpen-minded Learns the complexities of lifeLearns the complexities of life Gains understandingGains understanding Nickname because she is the scout of MaycombNickname because she is the scout of Maycomb TomboyTomboy Idolizes her fatherIdolizes her father A bit bossyA bit bossy Smart…quick thinkingSmart…quick thinking
CharactersCharactersJem FinchJem Finch
JeremyJeremy Older brotherOlder brother Grows up…changes the mostGrows up…changes the most 10 years old to 1310 years old to 13 Acts similar to AtticusActs similar to Atticus
CharactersCharactersCalpurniaCalpurnia
Black cook and housekeeper for the Finch Black cook and housekeeper for the Finch familyfamily
Link between the black and white worldsLink between the black and white worlds Raises the Finch children…disciplines themRaises the Finch children…disciplines them Learned to read and write from old law booksLearned to read and write from old law books
CharactersCharactersDill HarrisDill Harris
Real name Charles Baker HarrisReal name Charles Baker Harris From Meridian, MississippiFrom Meridian, Mississippi Play companion of Jem and ScoutPlay companion of Jem and Scout Comes to Maycomb each summer to his aunt’s house, Comes to Maycomb each summer to his aunt’s house,
Miss RachelMiss Rachel Has no father and is unwanted by his mother…lonelyHas no father and is unwanted by his mother…lonely Looks like a misfitLooks like a misfit Has a talent for telling tales from books and moviesHas a talent for telling tales from books and movies Enthralled by the Radley house and familyEnthralled by the Radley house and family
CharactersCharactersBoo RadleyBoo Radley
Neighbor to the Finch familyNeighbor to the Finch family Has not been outside in many years…stories surround Has not been outside in many years…stories surround
him…stabbing father with scissorshim…stabbing father with scissors Symbol of kindness and braverySymbol of kindness and bravery Phantom….hence his namePhantom….hence his name He seems to be the town freak but has a greater sense He seems to be the town freak but has a greater sense
of valuesof values Foils Bob Ewell’s plan of attackFoils Bob Ewell’s plan of attack Kids learn that he is very different than they imagineKids learn that he is very different than they imagine
CharactersCharactersMiss MaudieMiss Maudie
Kids favorite neighborKids favorite neighbor Supports Atticus and what he doesSupports Atticus and what he does Widow in her fortiesWidow in her forties Serves as a role model for ScoutServes as a role model for Scout Makes cakesMakes cakes House burnsHouse burns Well respectedWell respected
CharactersCharactersAunt AlexandraAunt Alexandra
Atticus’s younger sisterAtticus’s younger sister Is at odds with Atticus and his beliefsIs at odds with Atticus and his beliefs Is preoccupied with family and the reputationIs preoccupied with family and the reputation Comes to help turn Scout into a ladyComes to help turn Scout into a lady
CharactersCharactersMiss. Stephanie CrawfordMiss. Stephanie Crawford
PrejudicePrejudice Town gossipTown gossip Spreads rumors about Boo RadleySpreads rumors about Boo Radley
CharactersCharactersMrs. DuboseMrs. Dubose
Old neighborOld neighbor Kids think that she is meanKids think that she is mean Taunts and frightens the kidsTaunts and frightens the kids Struggles at the end to free herself of the Struggles at the end to free herself of the
morphine addictionmorphine addiction
CharactersCharactersBob EwellBob Ewell
Poor farmerPoor farmer Makes no attempt to live with dignityMakes no attempt to live with dignity Often abuses his 8 childrenOften abuses his 8 children Unemployed drunkUnemployed drunk Dependent on town charityDependent on town charity Lives in squalor next to the town dumpLives in squalor next to the town dump Angry manAngry man
CharactersCharactersMayella EwellMayella Ewell
Bob Ewell’s 19 year old daughterBob Ewell’s 19 year old daughter Has no friendsHas no friends LonelyLonely Kind but not smartKind but not smart
CharactersCharactersTom RobinsonTom Robinson
African American who is wrongfully accused African American who is wrongfully accused of raping Mayellaof raping Mayella
Strong, handsome and in his twentiesStrong, handsome and in his twenties Has a wife Helen and 3 kidsHas a wife Helen and 3 kids Described as clean livingDescribed as clean living Works for Link DeasWorks for Link Deas Hand crippled from cotton gin accidentHand crippled from cotton gin accident
Miss. Caroline Fisher
Teacher Twenty-one Looks like a peppermint Bright auburn hair From North Alabama
The Cunningham's
Walter goes to school with Scout The crash hit them the hardest Country folk Farmers Paid for thigs with what they had…hickory
nuts
SettingSetting
Imaginary district of Maycomb CountyImaginary district of Maycomb County Southern AlabamaSouthern Alabama Summer of 1933 to Halloween 1935Summer of 1933 to Halloween 1935 Grips of the DepressionGrips of the Depression Rural area…farms…crops meagerRural area…farms…crops meager PoorPoor Progress is slowProgress is slow
The Radley House
Old Run down Rain rotted shingles Mysterious Family….Mr. and Mrs. And Nathan and
Arthur Two live oaks stood at the end of the property
Downtown MaycombDowntown Maycomb Tyndall’s HardwareTyndall’s Hardware Ok CaféOk Café Maycomb TribuneMaycomb Tribune HotelHotel Maycomb JailMaycomb Jail Mayco Drug StoreMayco Drug Store Sinkfield TavernSinkfield Tavern Maycomb BankMaycomb Bank VJ Elmore StoreVJ Elmore Store Post OfficePost Office Court HouseCourt House
Other Places Around MaycombOther Places Around Maycomb
Barker’s Eddy…off Barker’s Eddy…off Meridian Highway…about a Meridian Highway…about a mile from townmile from town
Fish poolFish pool Town DumpTown Dump Ewell HouseEwell House Negro SettlementNegro Settlement
Tom Robinson’s houseTom Robinson’s house First Purchase African ME First Purchase African ME
ChurchChurch
Other Residents of MaycombOther Residents of Maycomb Cecil JacobsCecil Jacobs Mr. AveryMr. Avery Mrs. MerriweatherMrs. Merriweather Mrs. CrenshawMrs. Crenshaw Miss Tutti and FruttiMiss Tutti and Frutti Judge TaylorJudge Taylor Heck TateHeck Tate Mr. UnderwoodMr. Underwood Mr. GilmerMr. Gilmer Dr. ReynoldsDr. Reynolds Dolphus RaymondDolphus Raymond Link DeasLink Deas Caroline FisherCaroline Fisher
Reverend SykesReverend Sykes ZeeboZeebo Rachel HaverfordRachel Haverford Helen RobinsonHelen Robinson LulaLula Walter Cunningham Sr.Walter Cunningham Sr. Walter Cunningham, Jr.Walter Cunningham, Jr. Mr. Harry JohnsonMr. Harry Johnson
Point of ViewPoint of View
Scout Finch is the narrator…the reader sees Scout Finch is the narrator…the reader sees the story through a child’s eyesthe story through a child’s eyes
She uses adult languageShe uses adult language Perceptive, independent childPerceptive, independent child 11stst person person
ThemesThemesPrejudicePrejudice
White and black community is separateWhite and black community is separate Most white people believe they are superior to Most white people believe they are superior to
the blacksthe blacks Prejudice leads to hypocrisyPrejudice leads to hypocrisy Characters who want change and tolerance are Characters who want change and tolerance are
seen as oddseen as odd Sexism is a form of prejudice…Scout is Sexism is a form of prejudice…Scout is
admonished for not being a ladyadmonished for not being a lady
ThemesThemesUnderstandingUnderstanding
Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to be tolerant of Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to be tolerant of othersothers
Seeing life from a different perspective…Seeing life from a different perspective…walking in someone else's shoeswalking in someone else's shoes
Children learn to accept behavior of others…Children learn to accept behavior of others…Mrs. Dubose and Boo RadleyMrs. Dubose and Boo Radley
ThemesThemesLoss of InnocenceLoss of Innocence
Scout in the beginning is innocent and by the Scout in the beginning is innocent and by the end of the novel has matured…bilundgsromanend of the novel has matured…bilundgsroman
Scout outgrows childish waysScout outgrows childish ways Jem grows up as well Jem grows up as well Trial of Tom and especially the outcome Trial of Tom and especially the outcome
teaches Scout and Jem about the harsh realities teaches Scout and Jem about the harsh realities of lifeof life
ThemesThemesCourageCourage
Jem shows courage by touching the houseJem shows courage by touching the house Atticus shoots the rabid dogAtticus shoots the rabid dog Scout learns not to fight with her fists…Scout learns not to fight with her fists…
instead uses her mind…moral courageinstead uses her mind…moral courage Atticus takes on the caseAtticus takes on the case Mrs. Dubose overcomes addiction and faces Mrs. Dubose overcomes addiction and faces
death on her own termsdeath on her own terms Boo comes out of the houseBoo comes out of the house
Themes Themes Justice and LawJustice and Law
Atticus has faith in the justice systemAtticus has faith in the justice system Court outside description vs. insideCourt outside description vs. inside Judge Taylor does his best to give Tom a fair Judge Taylor does his best to give Tom a fair
trialtrial Heck Tate does not decide to pursue Bob Heck Tate does not decide to pursue Bob
Ewell’s death shows his belief in natural Ewell’s death shows his belief in natural justice/ “let the dead bury the dead”justice/ “let the dead bury the dead”
SymbolsSymbols
Fire at Miss Maudie’s house burns out of Fire at Miss Maudie’s house burns out of control just as racism does in Maycombcontrol just as racism does in Maycomb
The rabid dog needs to be shot down in one The rabid dog needs to be shot down in one shot just as racism does, and Atticus must do itshot just as racism does, and Atticus must do it
Boo’s name …ghostBoo’s name …ghost Boo and Tom are the mockingbird…symbol of Boo and Tom are the mockingbird…symbol of
innocenceinnocence Jail symbolizes anything that is out of dateJail symbolizes anything that is out of date
StyleStyle Form…many episodes are interwoven togetherForm…many episodes are interwoven together Book begins and ends with the description of Jem’s broken Book begins and ends with the description of Jem’s broken
armarm Two stories/parts …Boo and the mystery to get him out of the Two stories/parts …Boo and the mystery to get him out of the
house and the trialhouse and the trial Simple sentence structure and dictionSimple sentence structure and diction Dialect…characteristic speech of the regionDialect…characteristic speech of the region Irony…contrast between reality and what appears to be realIrony…contrast between reality and what appears to be real Foreshadowing…clue to events to comeForeshadowing…clue to events to come Humor…lends a light touchHumor…lends a light touch
Life in MaycombLife in Maycomb
Exhibits values and Exhibits values and attitudes of the deep attitudes of the deep SouthSouth
Social status depends on Social status depends on family backgroundfamily background
Religion is importantReligion is important School system and School system and
lessons not received as lessons not received as importantimportant
EducatedWhitesFinch Family
Cunningham's…poor
WhitesEwell’s…poor…trash
Blacks
General PlotlineGeneral Plotline IntroductionIntroduction…characters and town are presented…characters and town are presented RisingRising….fascination with the Radley family and the trial….fascination with the Radley family and the trial ClimaxClimax…verdict…verdict FallingFalling…Tom’s escape and result…Tom’s escape and result ConclusionConclusion…what happens to Bob Ewell and the kids…what happens to Bob Ewell and the kids
Plot Diagram
Is the novel outdated?Is the novel outdated?You Decide…You Decide…
ProPro ConCon
Harper Lee Years Later
For years Harper has lived in Monroeville and New York City On May 7, 2006 Lee wrote about her love of books in a letter
to Oprah which was published in the Oprah magazine, O, on
July 2006 On November 5, 2007 she was awarded the Presidential Medal
of Freedom … Gregory Peck's wife attended the ceremony… Bush called Lee's book a gift to the world
Harper leads a private life with emphasis on church and community work