Name: ______________

Guided Notes
Period: ______________ Background and Essential Information about the Novel
Date: _______________ To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Essential Question: What is the important background information on the book and author? Why is this information
important and how does it help with your understanding of the novel?

What do you predict will be a Write down what you discussed with your partner:
major issue in the novel?

Background on the Author

• April 28, 1926 - February 19, 2016
• Born in ___________, Alabama
• Her father was a ___________and her mother suffered from mental illness
• Dropped out of ______________ to continue to pursue her ____________
• Friends with another popular author ______________
• Awarded the _____________________________ in 2007 for her "outstanding contribution to America's
literary tradition"

Background on the Novel

• To Kill a Mockingbird was published in ___________.
• A year later the book won ______________, and several other literary awards
• It was translated into _______ languages and sold more than ________ million copies
• Heavily influenced by Lee’s ___________
• Adapted into films and play, the ____________ was nominated for several academy awards
• One of the most popular _________________ novels

Setting

_________________ 1930’s, middle of __________________

_________________ the Great __________________
________________ Depression _______________

Rural area, most of ________________

the characters make ________________
their living by farming ________________
 Draw what you think Maycomb looks like or an important detail about the setting:
What is an important
background or setting detail
that stood out to you?

Why do you think this will be

important?

Main Characters
______ (Jean Louise Finch)- Narrator
______ (Jeremy Atticus Finch)- Scout's
older brother and Atticus's son.
Characters
_____________ Characters
Boo Radley (______ Radley ) – Mysterious Neighbor
Tom Robinson – on trial for being accused of rape, defended by
________

_________ Finch - Scout and Jem's father
Calpurnia – The _______ family’s maid
________ & Bob Ewell – Accuse Tom Robinson of Rape
Aunt Alexandra - Atticus's sister, and Scout and Jem's aunt
Dill Harris – Jem and Scout's _______
Miss _________ – Widowed Neighbor
Uncle Jack – Atticus and Alexandra's younger brother. Scout and
Jem's uncle.

Atticus
• __________ to both Jem and Scout
• A well respected __________ until the trial
• The “_______________” in the novel
• A caring single father who dislikes _________

"You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you
will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what
anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for
a change." - Chapter 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird
 Jem
• Full name: ________ ________ Finch
• Age ___ – ___ throughout the duration of the book
• Scout’s _______ brother and role model
• Grows and learns as much as Scout does during the novel

"Atticus says you can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an'
they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes
you look right silly when you don't." - Chapter 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird

Scout
• Full name: _______ _______ Finch
• Our novel’s ___________ and narrator
• Age ___- ___ throughout the course if the novel
• Smart and loves to read, yet ______
• Impulsive and a troublemaker

"I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."

- Chapter 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird

Point of View

The narrator of the Showcases Scout’s

novel is Scout, but ______________ naïve nature, but
years later after ______________ _______________
the events have ______________ _______________
occurred ___________ _

How is Scout limited as our Write down what you discussed with your partner:
narrator?

Is she a trustworthy narrator,

or is she biased?
Themes / Main Ideas to Think About:

Good Vs. _______ /

________
Evil Prejudice

________ Innocence

Symbols To Look For:

______________ _______________ _____________ _______________

(Flowers)

• As you read think about issues that we see in the book that still
affect us today
• Think about how the __________ affect everyday life
CLOSE READING • Take note of anything that stands out to you about a __________
• _____________ if you think something important was said
TIPS: • Write any ideas or ____________ you make while reading
• If you don’t know what something means, _____________
 Write a 3– 5 sentence summary of what you’ve learned: Draw or sketch one of the main ideas we
It can be about something you found interesting, you hope to discussed, write one sentence about what that
learn, or something that you would like to learn more about. theme/main idea means to you.

Summary: Drawing: