To fully understand “To Kill a Mockingbird,” acknowledgement of the setting, where it took place is crucial. The author, Harper Lee, lived in time where everything was so different from today.
Let’s learn about how it was like during Harper Lee’s time!
Objective
N Elle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926 in Monroe Ville, Alabama, a sleepy small town similar in many ways to Maycomb.
When Lee was five, nine young black men were accused of raping two white women near Scottsboro, Alabama.
Her father was lawyer like Scout.She tried to portray not only her childhood
but also, rather, non specific southern town during 1930s.
Author?
Due to the Great depression, poverty was a subject affected many during this time.
Many people were still discriminated against African American, especially on southern state.
1960 was when civil rights movement started.
This book was published at 1957.
How was society like back then?
What are the differences between social aspects from 1930s and today?
Where was this book took place? And what do you expect society to be like from that?
How is social issues changed now?
Think!
a. Happened at 1930sb. Racial discrimination was commonc. It took place at Indianad. It took place at Maycomb county
Which of the following is false statement regarding the setting of “To Kill a Mockingbird”?
a. Girls and boys were taught separatelyb. Lawyers always made good moneyc. Racial inequality was widely populard. Black and white could marry
Which of the following was common aspects during 1930s?
a. Black was accused of rapeb. Had a brotherc. Father was lawyerd. Born in Alabama
Which of the following is not similar experience that Harper Lee and Scout share?
a. She tried to show typical southern family by deriving ideas from her own story
b. She tried to write her story in interesting way
c. She tried to write her story but in the way not showing her identity by changing names
d. She wrote it without noticing that the book’s story is similar with her own
Why did Harper Lee wrote the book that is so similar to her life story?
Learning each character’s name and personality is important to understand “To Kill a Mocking bird” because the book has many important characters
Lets’ take a look!
Objective
Jean Louis Finch (Scout)Scout is very uncommon little girl both in her qualities and social position. She is intelligent, confident, and thoughtful, she is famous for being tomboy in Maycomb. At the beginning of the novel, she is innocent good-hearted 5 years old child. But as story flows, she contact with evil and she matures.
Characters
Atticus FinchAtticus is well respected to everyone in the county, including the poor. He is a lawyer but not wealthy. His intelligence, calm wisdom and exemplary behavior had him honored by towns people but defending Black male accused as rape, made him to revered and angered town’s people. He is father of Jem and Scout.
Characters
Jeremy Finch (Jem)Jem is Scout’s older brother and Atticus’s son. He is then years old as story begins and thirteen at its end. He is wise and emotional kid. He resembles Atticus a lot. He mostly hang out with Scout and take care of her.
Characters
Tom RobinsonTom is black man who is accused of rape by Mayella Ewell. He is a married young man who works around the town doing labor. he was hired by Mayella to do chores for her. His left arm is shriveled and useless. He is innocent of the crime.
Characters
Charles Baker Harris (Dill) Dill is Jem and Scout’s best friend over
summertime. He wants Boo Radley to come out of his house. Dill promises to marry Scout. Unlike Jem and Scout, he lacks family love. He is unwanted and un loved by his parents
Characters
Arthur(Boo Radley)Boo is the subject of various rumors. All kids in Maycomb are afraid of him. He is just very shy and does not wish to interact with towns people. He saves Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack.
Characters
Bob EwellBob is the head of the least respected and most hated family in this town. They are like animals and are always dirty and illiterate. He is selfish and mean. He is the one who actually hurt Mayella. He tries to kill Jem at the end as a revenge to Atticus.
Characters
CharactersMayella Ewell
Daughtor of Bob Ewell. She is a teenager who is very spiteful and emotional. No one really liked her. Tom was the only one who was nice to her.
CalpurniaCalpurnia is black maid and cook for Finch household. She acts like Scout’s mother
What do you expect Scout to be look like? Draw her.
In your mind, how's Atticus Finch look like?Draw him.
How's Jem look like? Draw him.How about Boo Radley?
Draw him.
Think!
a. Honored judgeb. Beloved bachelorc. Respectful lawyerd. Harmful drunk
Atticus is the town’s most _____ .
a. Bob Ewellb. Tom Robinsonc. Boo Radelyd. Atticus Finch
In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” _____ is the one who hurt Mayella Ewell.
a. Boo Radley scares children in Maycombb. Bob Ewell tried to kill Jemc. Bob Ewell tried to kill Scoutd. Boo Radley is just a shy person.
Which of the Following is False?
Yay! Great Job!
You are finally finished this lesson!
Now you should fully understand settings and characters of the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Congratulation
Constant, Paul. To Kill a Mockingbird Doesn’t Look s Day Over 45. SLOG. http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/09/25/reading-today-to-kill-a-mockingbird-doesnt-look-a-day-over-45
Finch’s Landing. http://laurentkm.tripod.com/
To Kill a Mockingbird. Sparknotes. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/themes.html
Citations