Mississippi Trial, 1955
Objective: Learn the
background information to
assist in understanding a
historical fiction novel
Types of Segregation
• De Jure Segregation – means by law
• De Facto Segregation – means by housing
patterns.
Jim Crow Laws
• History – originated in 1830’s when a man in
black face sang “Jump Jim Crow”
• 1875 (approximately) segregation laws began
to be enacted.
Emmett “Bobo” Till
He was from Chicago
Fourteen years old
when he went to visit his
uncle, Mose Wright, in
Money, Mississippi
Suffered from polio as
a child, which left him
with a stutter
Scenerio
• While in the Bryant’s
store he supposedly did
one of the following to
Carolyn Bryant
- Wolf whistled
- said, “Bye Baby”
- Grabbed her hand
and asked for a date
How He Was Found
• He was found in the
Tallahatchie River
with a 75 pound
cotton gin tied
around his neck with
barbed wire.
• Prior to being shot in
the head, he was
beaten and his eye
had been gouged out
Spark of the Civil Rights Movement
• “I want the world to see what they have
done to my baby.” Mamie Till
• It is estimated that 50,000 people came to
see his body in Chicago
• Rosa Parks on why she didn’t give up her
seat on the bus in Montgomery, AL
“I thought about Emmett Till and I
couldn’t go back”
Summary/Processing in ISN
Summary:
• What did you learn about the history
behind this book?
• Based on what you have seen on the
PowerPoint and read from the book
covers, what do you think will happen to
our main character in the story (AZ)?
Processing:
• Thinking Map
Vocabulary Chp 1-8
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•
•
•
•
Meandered pg 5
Furrows pg 7
Transom pg 9
Dilapidated pg 12
Insignias pg 14
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•
•
•
Condolences pg 30
Abode pg 31
Libations pg 57
Shanties pg 60
Chapter 11 Warm-up
• Do you agree with the newspaper that “all”
of Mississippi are NOT to blame for the
death or Emmett, or do you agree with his
mother that all Mississippians are to blame
for his death?
Vocabulary Chp 9-13
•
•
•
•
Conniptions pg 65 • Condone pg 129
Gumption pg 95
• Agitators pg 134
Irrespective pg 128 • Condemnation pg
138
Indignation pg 128
• Subpoena pg 152
Chapter 12 Warm-up
1. Write down examples (quotes) that
demonstrate Grandpa’s and the deputy’s
hateful and negative attitudes.
2. What is the differences between
Grandpa’s and Naomi’s reasons for not
wanting Hiram to testify in the trial?
Chapter 14 Warm up
• In a paragraph, discuss the many wrongs
or injustices that took place in the
courtroom.
• How does the prosecution cruelly try to
discredit some of the witnesses.
Chapter 16
• What do you predict will happen with
Hiram and Grandpa. Provide
evidence from the text to support your
answer.
• Attach your “Question of the Day”
sheet to your packet (chp 9-16)
Chp 17 Warm - up
• Put yourself in Hiram’s shoes. If you were
Hiram, would you be able to forgive your
grandfather?
End of Novel Question
• At the end of the story answer the
following questions:
Did Grandpa learn or change because of
what Hiram knew? What was the one
thing Hiram was hoping that he would do?
What does this (the way the story ended)
tell you about Grandpa?
American Experience “The Murder of
Emmett Till
Read the 1955 Look Magazine article “The
Shocking Story of Approved Killing in
Mississippi” and view “The Murder of Emmett
Till”.
• Compare and contrast the documentary
you saw on Emmett Till and the story in
Look Magazine (confession of Roy Bryant
and J.W. Milam). In addition, write a
personal perspective on what you learned
from these sources.