To Kill a Mockingbird

1. To Kill a Mockingbird Written by: Harper Lee Report by: Lauren Duke Published in 1960 by J. B. Lippincott Company

2. Introduction • To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, a sleepy southern town in Alabama. Atticus, Scout, Jem, and Calpurnia all live in a house on the main street in Maycomb, close to where Atticus works as a lawyer. • During the first chapter, the children focus their attention on Boo Radley, a recluse to society. • When Dill, Scout and Jem’s summer friend leaves, the children attend school. At school Scout is reprimanded for knowing how to read. Also, Burris Ewell is introduced at the school, a relative of one of the most important characters in the novel.

3. Protagonist: Atticus Finch • Atticus Finch is the Protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird. When Tom Robinson is accused of the rape of MayellaEwell, Atticus, his lawyer, is a constant reminder for Tom to not let his anger get the best of him. Atticus is always positive not only towards his client, but also to his family in the midst of the turmoil that is the Tom Robinson rape trial. Although most know the verdict is set from the beginning, Atticus does everything in his power to ensure that Tom gets a fair trial.

4. Antagonists: Bob and MayellaEwell • Mayella and Bob Ewell, a daughter/father pair, are the antagonists in the story due to their efforts to destroy the life of an innocent man and his family. When Bob falsely accuses a black man (Robinson) of the rape of his daughter Mayella, he does everything in his power during the trial to ensure that Robinson is found guilty and put in jail. Bob and Mayella testify against him and at times draw out anger that leads jurors to declare Tom as guilty.

5. Central Conflict • The central conflict of this book arises when a black man, Tom Robinson, is accused of the rape of the young MayellaEwell, daughter of Bob Ewell. The small town of Maycomb is rocked by the news of such a scandal, and most of its citizens believe that there is not even a need for a trial. Because Tom is black and Mayella white, the odds are not in his favor in a largely prejudiced society in the midst of the great depression. After giving each of the sides of their stories, the verdict is read. Tom is found guilty. After he is sent to prison, Atticus works along with the support of a select few to gain a re-trial. While working on an appeal, the Finch family recieves shocking news. This along with the death of a certain antagonist leads the story to its dramatic conclusion where the true victor of the story is revealed; Arthur “Boo” Radley.

6. Calpurnia • Calpurnia was the Finch family cook. She is important to the story because she is always reprimanding Scout and Jem. She is dearly loved by all of the family and helps them through one of the toughest times in their life; the Tom Robinson trial. When Calpurnia takes Scout and Jem to the “black church”, they are looked down upon by some of the members because they are white. Calpurnia defends them and is almost a mother figure in their lives. Harper Lee makes it clear that Calpurnia is very important in the story linrsnd the lives of its’ characters.

7. Arthur “Boo” Radley • Boo Radley is the source of Scout, Jem, and Dill’s entertainment throughout many summers in the book. He is believed to be an evil, scary human being that stands over six feet tall and eats live squirrels and rabbits. However, he leaves gifts for the children to find all through the book and ultimately saves Scout and Jem from a very dangerous situation.

8. Heck Tate • Heck Tate is the Maycomb County Sherrif who takes a concern in the welfare of Tom Robinson. He warns Atticus about placing Tom in the local jail because of the danger to his life before the trial. He is important because he is portrayed in the book as someone who shows his belief and concern in the well outcome of the Tom Robinson case.

9. What Critics Say • “This is a must read American classic.”-- Erin Collazo Miller Millerhttp://bestsellers.about.com/od/fictionreviews/gr/mockingbird_r.htm • “Marvelous… Miss Lee’s original characters are people to cherish in this winning first novel.” – The New York Times http://topics.nytimes.com/top/features/books/bookreviews/?s=newest&query=to+kill+a+mockingbird&match=all&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

10. What I Say • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of my favorite books. This book provides us with a good lesson for almost any moral obstacle, and is a constant reminder to always stand up for what you believe in and to never judge someone before you “crawl into their skin and walk around.” I would suggest this book to anyone that has not read it. I couldn’t put it down. Lauren Duke