Bellwork

1. Bellwork Agree/Disagree + Explain • A person is usually judged on their background. • Under our justice system, all citizens are treated fairly in our courts of law. • The adage “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is true. • If someone insults you, you should fight with your head, not your hands.

2. By Harper Lee To Kill A Mockingbird UNIT OVERVIEW & INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL

3. Goals of Unit There are several topics that we will be focusing on during our study of To Kill A Mockingbird. These topics will help you develop important skills that you will require in all subjects throughout high school, university and your career. This unit will focus on…

4. As the characters develop we see changes that are reflections of the plot. As things happen they learn things and move on, hopefully keeping the reader’s interest in the process. Goals of Unit What is CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT? Theme refers to the main idea and the purpose of the work. What is the novel trying to accomplish and/or teach the reader? What is THEME? Character Development, Theme, Critical Thinking You will learn how to question why authors make decisions about the words they use, the decisions of the characters and the events of the plot and how these things tell the reader an important message. Think CRITICALLY!

5. Introduction to the Novel Plot Sequence • The “Boo Radley” Plot Sequence • Note the interactions the children have with the mysterious “Boo Radley” • The “Tom Robinson” Plot Sequence • What is the historical significance of this trial? • Connection Between Both: • What is the parallel between these two plots? • Think about where we saw a connection between two plot lines in Of Mice and Men

6. THEME • What is the difference between a subject and a theme? • A subject is __________________. • A theme is ___________________. • Love • Love conquers all.

7. Introduction to the Novel Exploring Themes

8. Theme • Themes in the novel are based on the concept of racial prejudice which was so much a part of society at that time: • Dehumanization: Lee stresses the need for human understanding to destroy the evils of racial prejudice.

9. Introduction to the Novel Exploring Symbols …Be on the lookout for: SYMBOL: Small-Town Life & Characters “Boo” Radley Mockingbirds / Birds A word or object that represents another word or object What do these symbols represent?

10. Introduction to the Novel Background Information -To Kill a Mockingbird takes place between 1933-1935 -The novel includes several references to historical events. Knowing some information about these events is important for understanding the novel.

11. Introduction to the Novel Background Information Even those with jobs were affected because nothing was being produced Average family income dropped to 50% by 1935 25% of population had no job Stock Market Crash caused people to lose billions. Entire banks were wiped out and by 1933 over 60% of population was considered poor GREAT DEPRESSION Hundreds of thousands lost homes, farms and possessions A period of extreme drought, poverty and hardships during the 1930s. The novel takes place during the mid-1930s at a time when the government was attempting to stop the Great Depression. The President at the time, Franklin Roosevelt, famously said, “the only thing to fear is fear itself” as his government created programs to create jobs, house the homeless and feed the starving.

12. Introduction to the Novel Background Information Although slavery was abolished in the 1890s racism and discrimination were alive and well during the time of the novel. Racism and Social Classes The novel is based on many historical facts that help to drive the story, (and allow the readers to explore a sad time in American history) including: Jim Crow Laws (1890s – 1960s) Scottsboro Trials (1931) Social Inequality (Forever)

13. Introduction to the Novel Background Information The Finches Social Inequality White folks of Maycomb & Maycomb County The Ewell Family Tom Robinson Even the law was one-sided: Juries were always all-white and all-male. The word of a black man meant nothing against the word of a white man.

14. Introduction to the Novel About the Author To Kill A Mockingbird is semi-autobiographical for a number of reasons: TKAM is her first and ONLY novel- since the novel’s publication, Lee has been known to be a recluse Lee grew up in Alabama Experienced Great Depression, Scottsboro Trials “Scout” based on her life; “Dill” based on life of childhood friend Truman Capote

15. Born in Monroeville, Alabama Grew up in 1930s Father was a lawyer Mother’s maiden name = Finch Lee was six years old at the start of the Scottsboro trial Born in Maycomb, Alabama Grew up in 1930s Father ((Atticus)) is a lawyer Last name = Finch Scout is six years old at the beginning of the Robinson trial Autobiographical Elements:Harper Lee | Scout Finch

16. Narrative Point of View • TKAM is told in the first person, from the point of view of Scout Finch, a young girl. • The story is not told by the younger Scout Finch. It is told by an older Scout, looking back. However, the point of view is mostly a first-person limited one; that is, limited to the knowledge of the younger Scout. • In this way, the narration presents a sort of “doubled” perspective on the events.

17. Setting: Depression-eraMaycomb, Alabama • 1930’s/Great Depression – allusion to FDR in 1932: • “[Maycomb County] had recently been told it had nothing to fear but fear itself” (6). • To Kill a Mockingbird is framed by Scout as the larger story of how Jem broke his arm. http://pics2.city-data.com/city/maps/fr4815.png

18. The novel was published in the 1950s, during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. Scottsboro Trials The book’s setting takes place in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. You will see subtle hints of the Depression. This is the same setting as Of Mice and Men. Time Frames

19. Things to Consider While Reading Important Quotes As you read be on the lookout for important quotes from the novel: “Remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father's right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view . . . until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” -Atticus Finch “Neighbors bring food with death, and flowers with sickness, and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives.” -”Scout” Finch “Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to understand… I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough…” -Atticus Finch

20. "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

21. TKAM in Popular Culture • The Simpsons, Everybody Loves Raymond, Pretty Little Liars, King of the Hill, Gilmore Girls, A Walk to Remember, & Lost all have references to TKAM • Bruce Willis & Demi Moore’s daughter is named Scout • Jake Gyllenhaal’s dogs are named Atticus & Boo • Blink 182’s clothing line, Atticus is named after Atticus Finch

22. Homework: • Research the following historical events: Jim Crow Laws (1890s – 1960s) Scottsboro Trials (1931) *Give me the historical background & significance of each event. *Keep in mind the setting of TKAM is between 1933-1935.