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Exploring "To Kill a Mockingbird": Themes, Characters, and Historical Context

"To Kill a Mockingbird," authored by Harper Lee and published in 1960, is a profound exploration of human compassion and individual conscience set in Maycomb, Alabama, during the years 1933-1935. Narrated from the perspective of Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, this first-person narrative dives deep into themes of racial injustice, innocence, and moral growth through the lens of Scout's childhood experiences. The characters, including Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley, embody various societal symbols, enabling readers to reflect on the issues of bigotry and prejudice, which remain relevant today.

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Exploring "To Kill a Mockingbird": Themes, Characters, and Historical Context

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  1. To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee

  2. OVERVIEW OF THE NOVEL • AUTHOR: Harper Lee • PUBLICATION DATE: 1960 • SETTING: Maycomb, Alabama 1933-1935 • POINT OF VIEW: First person narrative • THEMES: Lack of and need for human compassion Need for individual conscience

  3. HARPER LEE • (Nellie) Harper Lee • BORN: April 28, 1926 • PLACE OF BIRTH: Monroe, Alabama • PARENTS: Amasa C. and Frances (Finch) Lee Related to Robert E. Lee

  4. AUTHOR’SLINKS TO THE NOVEL’S PLOT AND CHARACTERS • Harper Lee’s father was a Southern lawyer. He served as the prototype for Atticus Finch. • Harper Lee’s age (6 to 8) correlates with Scout’s age during 1933-1935, the time period of the book. • The courtroom in Maycomb is patterned after the one in Monroeville where Harper Lee observed her father in courtroom proceedings. • Tom Robinson’s trial appears to be a composite of many trials in the South, specifically the Scottsboro trials. • Some of the novel’s characters are composites of people Harper Lee knew personally; for example, the author Truman Capote as Dill.

  5. CHARACTERS • ATTICUS FINCH – lawyer, father of Scout and Jem; widower • JEAN LOUISE “SCOUT” FINCH – adult narrator as story begins; narrates story in retrospect; relates events that begin when she is 6 years old. • JEM FINCH – Scout’s brother, who is 4 years older than she. • CHARLES BAKER “DILL” HARRIS – 7- year-old visitor to Maycomb; acts as a catalyst

  6. MORE CHARACTERS • ARTHUR “BOO” RADLEY – neighborhood recluse • CALPURNIA – the black housekeeper for the Finch family • AUNT ALEXANDRA – Scout & Jem’s aunt • MAUDE ATKINSON – friend of Finch family

  7. MORE CHARACTERS • TOM ROBINSON – black man accused of raping a white girl • MAYELLA EWELL – the girl who accuses Tom of rape • BOB EWELL – Mayella’s father • HECK TATE – sheriff of Maycomb

  8. ATTICUS Justice BOB EWELL Innocence JEM SCOUT DILL Bigotry Or Prejudice CHARACTERS AS SYMBOLS CALPURNIA & MAUDIE TOM ROBINSON & BOO Helpfulness Helplessness

  9. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER • What was America like during the time of this book? • What is the significance of the title with regards to the plot and symbolism? • What experiences and people did Harper Lee rely on in order to develop her plot and characters? • Is there still prejudice in America today?

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