EQ: What is To Kill A Mockingbird ab out?

1. EQ: What is To Kill A Mockingbird about?

2. Objective • We will read, analyze, and take notes on the novelTo Kill a Mockingbird to use in determining the various themes.

3. Why do all students read this book?

4. Introduction to the Novel The Author Background Information Themes & Symbols Characters/ Characterization Plot Events

5. Setting Fiction vs. Fantasy

6. Setting • Maycomb, Alabama (fictional city) • 1933-1935 • Although slavery has long been abolished, the Southerners in Maycomb continue to believe in white supremacy. • Segregation/Jim Crow

7. Themes • Racial Prejudice • Good vs. Evil • Equality • The Need for Compassion

8. Exploring Themes

9. “Boo” Radley Mockingbirds / Birds Small-Town Life Exploring Symbolism …Be on the lookout for: SYMBOL: A word or object that represents another word or object

10. Symbolism • What do you think the title To Kill a Mockingbird is about?

11. Jean Louis Finch – “Scout” • The story’s narrator • Although now an adult, Scout looks back at her childhood and tells of the momentous events and influential people of those years. • Scout is six when the story begins.

12. Atticus Finch • Father of Scout and Jem • A widower • An attorney by profession • Highly respected • Instills good values and morals in his children. • His children call him “Atticus”

13. Jem Finch • Scout’s older brother • Looks up to his father Atticus • Usually looks out for Scout • Typical older brother at times

14. Calpurnia • The Finch’s black housekeeper • Has watched the children since their mother’s death • positive influence on the children.

15. Arthur “Boo” Radley • A mystery, possible lunatic • Someone locked up in a house.

16. Dill • A close friend of Jem and Scout • Usually lives in Maycomb only during the summer (stays with a relative) • Tells “big stories”

17. Introduction to the Novel Social Hierarchy

18. Introduction to the Novel Background Information The Finches 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. Social Inequality

19. Two Poor White Families:The Cunninghams The Ewells • Poor white family • Hard-working • Honest • Proud • Survive on very little • Always pay back their debts – even if it is with hickory nuts, turnips, or holly. • Poor white trash • Dirty • Lazy • Good-for-nothing • Never done a day’s work • Foul-mouthed • Dishonest • Immoral

20. The Black Community • Simple • Honest • Clean • Hard-working • God fearing • Proud • Would never take anything without paying it back • Respectful • Had stronger character than most of the whites • Oppressed • Uneducated • Discriminated against • Talked about badly • Deserve better than what is dished out to them by society

21. Introduction to the Novel Background Information To Kill A Mockingbird includes several references to historical events. Knowing some information about this events is important for understanding the novel.

22. What do you know about the Great Depression?

23. 25% of population had no job Even those with jobs were affected because nothing was being produced Hundreds of thousands lost homes, farms and possessions Stock Market Crash caused people to lose billions. Entire banks were wiped out and by 1933 over 60% of population was considered poor Average family income dropped to 50% by 1935 Introduction to the Novel Background Information 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. GREAT DEPRESSION

24. What do you know about the Jim Crow Laws?

25. Although slavery was abolished in the 1890s racism and discrimination were alive and well during the time of the novel. Introduction to the Novel Historical References Jim Crow Laws (1890s – 1960s) Scottsboro Trials (1931) Social Inequality 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:

26. “Scout” based on her life; “Dill” based on life of childhood friend Truman Capote Father was prominent lawyer Experienced Great Depression, Scottsboro Trials Lee grew up in Alabama Introduction to the Novel About the Author Harper Lee To Kill A Mockingbird is semi-autobiographical for a number of reasons:

27. Famous Quotes As you read be on the lookout for these important quotes from the novel: “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 “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.” “Neighbours bring food with death, and flowers with sickness, and little things in between. Boo was our neighbour. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a knife, and our lives.” -”Scout” Finch Important Quotes

28. Genre & Tone Genre • Coming-of-age story; social drama; courtroom drama; Southern drama Tone • Childlike, humorous, nostalgic, innocent; as the novel progresses, increasingly dark, foreboding, and critical of society

29. Why do all students read this book?

30. Why do all students read this book? • I think students read TKAM because ____. Two reasons to support this idea are ____ and _____. SUMMARY • TKAM is about ______. It is a novel that _____. Some important elements of this story are _______.

31. Why do all students read this book? • To become aware of certainmindsets that persisted and still exist in society (racism, sexism, classism, etc) • It is a timeless story with lessons about justice, challenges, prejudices, courage (physical and moral), identity, family, and growing up emotionally, intellectually and physically…