To Kill A Mockingbird

●Taking detailed
notes and
following along
with this lecture
will prepare you
to read this
extraordinary
 Why are some books
considered classics?
● To Kill A Mockingbird is a
well-written novel that has unique
characters, a heartbreaking plot and
timeless themes. All of which, make
it as powerful and interesting to read
now as when it was written nearly
fifty years ago. It won the Pulitzer
Prize, one of the highest
achievements for a book, the year
 You must first understand…
● This novel was
written in 1960 by
Harper Lee and
immediately
received critical
acclaim. It is the
only piece she
published. What
were Americans
Nelle Harper Lee 1926-
● Nelle Harper Lee was
the daughter of a
Southern judge. She
grew up in segregated
Alabama during the
1930’s. This novel is
somewhat
autobiographical
since Ms. Lee found
inspiration from
significant events in
 The Setting
●This novel takes place in small,
fictional Maycomb, Alabama in
the 1930’s.
●What economic devastation hit
America hard in the early 30’s?
●What were conditions like for
Black Americans?
The Great Depression
● With the stock
market crash of
1929,
businesses
closed, workers
were laid off,
people were
forced to live off
 Racial Segregation – even
though slavery had ended,
● As an African
ideas are slow to change.
American living in
segregation, you
would face
ignorance, hatred,
cruelty and
prejudice on a
daily basis. There
was no guarantee
for your safety or a
 Themes: our universal
concepts of humanity
● Coming of Age (Perspective)

● Persecution of the Innocent

● The Coexistence of Good and Evil

● Prejudice, Bias, and Inequality

* racial, gender, religion, social
 What do you thing think this
quote means?
●Grown men can learn from very
little children, for the hearts of little
children are pure. Therefore, the
Great Spirit may show to them
many things which older people
miss.
 Your Narrator
● Harper Lee chose a
witty and unique
voice to tell this
story.
● Scout (Jean
Louise) Finch is a
grown woman
recalling a
profound and
funny story of
 Main Characters
● Atticus Finch: a single father, lawyer
● Jem Finch: 10 year old son of Atticus
● Scout Finch: 6 year old daughter of
Atticus – your narrator
● Calpurnia: a strict
housekeeper/nanny for the Finch
children
● Dill: an unusual neighbor and friend
of the Finch children
 More Characters
● The Radley Family – neighborhood
weirdos
● Tom Robinson – a black man
accused of a crime
● The Ewells – a poor, ignorant family
● The Cunninghams - a poor, but
honest family
 Remember this when
reading.
● Harper Lee wrote this novel as a
political statement supporting civil
rights.
● It has won many awards from
different humanitarian organizations.
● If, at points, it makes you
mad…..good. I would worry about
you if it didn’t. Any piece of literature
that doesn’t make you feel isn’t
 If you read closely and
actively, this novel will:

● make you laugh,

● make you cry,
● make you think,
● make you angry,
● make you
question,
● make you look at
life differently.
 To Receive Credit…
● Keep up with your reading every day
● Complete chapter questions with
complete sentences and thoughtful
answers
● Be an active reader
● Be prepared for class discussions,
pop quizzes and a final test and
essay.
 Think about this quote.

●“The only good

is knowledge
and the only
evil is
ignorance.”

● Socrates
Greek philosopher in
Athens (469 BC - 399
 Touchy Subject

●What is the
difference
●Negro
between the
following
●Nigger
two words?
On Your Way!
● Congratulations!
You are about to
begin reading an
awesome novel. It
will require your
attention,
discipline and
commitment, but
will be worth every
 On the back of your notes,
keep track of these things in
chapter 1
● Characters (name & ● Predictions (bullet
bullet points) points & pg. #)
● Setting (pg. # & ● Interesting/question
short description) (pg. # & short
● Possible conflicts description)
(bullet points & pg. ● Themes (pg. &
#) theme)
● Words I don’t know ● Overall impression