In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, historical context is very important. Historical
context is the background on which something is set or written. To Kill A Mockingbird was written in the
1960’s, but is based on a white family that lives in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. A lot was
happening during the 1930’s that was not only occurring in the novel, but was also occurring in the real
world. Some of these events were the Great Depression, sharecropping, schooling was difficult, ku Klux
Klan, Black Shirts, lynching, white male property owners were only allowed on juries, social class
divisions, and the treatment of social outcasts. A lot changed between the 1930’s, and the 1960’s, that
could have greatly impacted Harper Lee’s view on the book. Some of the events that changed views
during these times were the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Civil Rights act of 1964, Voting Rights act of 1965,
and the Civil Rights Bill of 1968 that went against many of the events that occurred during the 1930’s,
when the book is based. Also, Harper Lee helped a fellow writer, Truman Capote, write his book, In Cold
Blood that was based on some of the same idea’s her book was based upon. Many aspects of the history
and events going on around Harper Lee while the book was written could have greatly impacted how
the book was written.
There are many examples of this novels historical context through out this novel. One example
of the sharecropping historical context in To Kill A Mockingbird is “The acres not entailed were
mortgaged to the hilt, and the little cash he made went to interest.” (15) This excerpt from the book
helps to show the affects of sharecropping during the 1930’s, when the book was upon. This certain
excerpt is talking about the Cunningham family falling victim to the very negative outcomes of
sharecropping, and how no matter how much money they make, they do not really get any of it. An
example of the Great Depression is “Atticus said professional people were poor because farmers were
poor. As Maycomb County was a farm county, nickels and dimes were hard to come by for doctors and
dentists and lawyers.” (15) This quote from the book portrays Great Depression very well. The great
depression is very important to know about because it affects the story line a great deal. The Great
Depression is the reason why nobody has a large steady income, and also why those of the upper class,
really are not that rich, and it also explains why some kids are forced to stay at home and help their
families make a little money. M y last example is regarding racism “I could not help feeling like I was
getting cheated out of something.” (25) This quote may not clearly state that this is racism in this quote,
but Scout feeling like she is being cheated out of something in her education, shows how some kids
were given poorer educations, due to the fact that their teachers did not receive a great education, all
do to the color of their skin. People being judged just for the color of their skin is horribly wrong, and
sad thing is that it really did happen. But, sharecropping, racism, and the Great Depression were not the
only events that occurred during these times that also occurred in the novel.
Historical context is very important when it comes to understanding the novel you are reading
to some extent. Especially knowing what the author has seen and lived through pertaining to this, and
knowing her opinion and point of view on it as well. Say you were reading and you read something
about sharecropping, but you had no idea what sharecropping was. Well, historical context helps you to
understand and know what exactly the history behind the novel is. In the long run historical context
helps you to more thoroughly enjoy the novel, because nobody enjoys a book they have no clue as to
what is going on.