TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRDHarper Lee

BACKGROUND

Published in 1960 Events took place in the 1930s Takes place in Maycomb, Alabama Main character, Scout, is

autobiographical; as is the father, Atticus Finch.

The inspiration of the novel stems from an experience that Lee had as a 10 year old in her home town.

LEGACY

Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 British librarians ranked the book ahead of The

Bible as one "every adult should read before they die".

The movie won several Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch Considered one of the great all-time movies

This book has undertaken a great deal of controversy over its use in the classroom. Racial epithets Rape

NEW CONCERNS

“What seems wonderful or powerful to one group of students may seem degrading to another”

“Contented Slave” Motif

“White Savior” Motif

THEMES

Coming of Age Living within a society promoting

inequality

Moral Education Moral Laws > Judicial Laws

Can good and evil coexist?

HARPER LEE BACKGROUND

Like Lee, the tomboy Scout is the daughter of a respected small-town Alabama attorney.

Scout's friend Dill was inspired by Lee's childhood friend and neighbor, Truman Capote.

The 1931 landmark Scottsboro Boys interracial rape case may also have helped to shape Lee's social conscience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=igNepPqaAkc

INSTITUTIONAL RACISM OVER?

http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/dxhtvk/suppressing-the-vote

1930’S BACKGROUND

The Great Depression Jim Crow Laws Sports during the 1930’s Popular movies during the 1930’s Popular Music of the 1930’s Politics during the 1930’s