To Kill A Mockingbird
By Harper Lee
UNIT OVERVIEW & INTRODUCTION
TO THE NOVEL
Created by Mr. S. Wilson
Contents of Presentation
Goals of Unit
• Understanding plot, setting and character development
• Understanding the development of important themes
• Increasing the use of vocabulary and language
• Develop ability to think critically about what is in a novel or other text
• Learning history of segregation, southern U.S.A., great depression and legal battles
Introduction to Novel
• The Characters
• Plot Sequence
• Themes & Symbols
• Background Issues
• About Author
Things to Consider While Reading
• Important Quotes
• Using Resources
Goals of Unit
There are several topics that we will
be focusing on during our study of To
Kill A Mockingbird.
These topics will help you develop
important skills that you will require
in all subjects throughout high
school, university and your career.
This unit will focus on…
Goals of Unit
Plot, Setting & Character Development
What is
PLOT?
What is
SETTING?
What is
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT?
The main events that make up the beginning,
middle and end of a story. Understand WHAT
HAPPENS in a story is crucial to figuring out
WHY things happen.
Essentially the setting is WHERE and WHEN
the story takes place. To Kill A Mockingbird
uses the setting of southern Alabama, the
town of Maycomb and the courtroom to
develop the story
As the characters develop we see changes
that are reflections of the plot. As things
happen they learn things and move on,
hopefully keeping the reader’s interest in the
process.
Goals of Unit
Theme, Vocabulary, Critical Thinking and History
What is
THEME?
Improve
VOCABULARY!
Think
CRITICALLY!
Learn
HISTORY!
Theme refers to the main idea and the purpose of the
work. What is the novel trying to accomplish and/or teach
the reader?
To Kill A Mockingbird makes use of many words that you
may not know. If you do not know the word you will not be
able to understand the plot, setting, characters or theme.
Therefore, this unit will focus on regular vocabulary
improvement.
You will learn how to question why authors make decisions
about the words they use, the decisions of the characters
and the events of the plot and how these things tell the
reader an important message.
This novel makes mention of many historical aspects that
require some knowledge in order for the novel to make
complete sense. Therefore we will discuss some of the
history within the novel before and during our study of To
Kill A Mockingbird.
Introduction to the Novel
To help your understanding of the novel you will be first introduced to:
Plot Events
Characters
Themes &
Symbols
Background
Information
The
Author
Background
Information
Introduction to the Novel
The Main Characters
Atticus Finch
Jean-Louise
“Scout” Finch
Charles “Dill”
Harris
Arthur “Boo"
Radley
•Lawyer and
prominent
citizen
•Family has
been in
Maycomb for
generations
•Father of
“Scout” and
Jem
•Defends Tom
Robinson
•Strong morals
•Female
narrator of
story
•Often tells of
her past, (so
setting and
timeline jumps
a great deal)
•Daughter of
Atticus
•Explores
theme of
“judgment”
based on
relationship
with Boo
Radley
•Boy who visits
Maycomb each
summer
•Seven Years
old
•Befriends
“Scout” and
Jem
•Very smart;
enjoys reading
and acting out
stories
•Thirty-three
year old
recluse next
door
•As a child
committed a
crime and was
kept home by
his father
•Does not leave
house later in
his life except
at night
•Rescues
children and
befriends
“Scout”
Bob Ewell
Tom Robinson
•Daughter
accuses Tom
Robinson of
rape
•Feels ashamed
that a white
man made
accusations
about his
family
•Terrorizes
Finch family
•Killed towards
end of story
•Young black
man accused of
raping white
girl
•When in court,
clear evidence
defending him
is ignored due
to
discrimination
at time
•Sentenced to
death
•Shot dead
during escape
attempt
Introduction to the Novel
Plot Sequence
The “Boo Radley” Plot
Introduction to the characters including the Finch family
history, “Scout” and Jem, “Dill” Harris and the interesting
history of Arthur “Boo” Radley
Development of the children’s antics in their pursuit of
“Boo” Radley, which includes dares and games to get his
attention. During this part Atticus Finch warns the children
to not judge “Boo” – they need to live life in his shoes.
Children trespass on Radley property and are shot at,
causing Jem to lose his pants. This further develops “Boo’s”
character as we witness his actions.
Introduction to the Novel
Plot Sequence
The “Tom Robinson” Plot
A white woman, Mayella Ewell, is raped. She accuses Tom Robinson, a
black man. Atticus Finch agrees to defend Robinson, which angers and
upsets Maycomb.
Maycomb is furious about trial and collectively wants to lynch Robinson.
Finch faces uphill battle based on black’s position in society.
Trial becomes one-sided despite clear evidence in favour of Robinson.
Robinson was in relationship with Ewell according to factual evidence
but nonetheless, Robinson found guilt and sentenced to death.
Robinson, clearly innocent, tries to escape the jail and is shot to death
Ewell family attacks the Finch family due to the “shame and humilation”
Atticus Finch subjected them to during the trial..
Introduction to the Novel
Plot Sequence
Connecting the Two Plots
Over the course of the novel, Dill, “Scout” and Jem continue to build a
relationship with “Boo” Radley, trying to get him to come out of the
house during the day
After the trial of Tom Robinson, the actions of Bob Ewell, (father of
“victim” Mayella Ewell, progress from menacing the Finch family to
breaking into the judge’s house until he finally attacks Jem and “Scout”.
“Boo” Radley save Jem and “Scout” and Bob Ewell dies. “Boo” is then
forced to return to hiding in the Radley house
“Scout” finally understands what her father said about not judging a
person and this reinforces her belief in the ultimate goodness of man.
Introduction to the Novel
Exploring Themes
Good vs. Evil
Morals: Right
and Wrong
Social Inequality,
Racism and
Discrimination
• Moral reasoning by Atticus Finch
• Acts of “Boo” Radley
• Loss of innocence
• Acts of the Ewell family: deception,
harassment, lies and violence
• Perspective: Life in someone else’s shoes
• Atticus Finch defending Tom Robinson
• “Boo” Radley and his background
• The treatment of Tom Robinson
• Racial divide between blacks and whites
during time period
• Treatment of whites who defend blacks
Introduction to the Novel
Exploring Symbols
…Be on the lookout for:
SYMBOL:
A word or object that
represents another word
or object
Small-Town Life
“Boo” Radley
Mockingbirds / Birds
What do these symbols
represent!?
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.
Introduction to the Novel
Background Information
25% of population
had no job
Hundreds of
thousands lost
homes, farms
and possessions
Even those with jobs
were affected
because nothing was
being produced
GREAT
DEPRESSION
A period of extreme drought,
poverty and hardships during
the 1930s.
Average family
income dropped
to 50% by 1935
Stock Market Crash
caused people to lose
billions. Entire banks
were wiped out and
by 1933 over 60% of
population was
considered poor
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.
Introduction to the Novel
Background Information
Racism and
Social Classes
Although slavery was abolished in the 1890s
racism and discrimination were alive and well
during the time of the novel.
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:
Jim Crow Laws (1890s – 1960s)
Scottsboro Trials (1931)
Social Inequality (Forever)
Introduction to the Novel
Background Information
The Finches
Social Inequality
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.
Introduction to the Novel
About the Author
To Kill A Mockingbird is semi-autobiographical for a
number of reasons:
Lee grew up in Alabama
Father was prominent lawyer
Experienced Great Depression,
Scottsboro Trials
“Scout” based on her life; “Dill” based
on life of childhood friend Truman
Capote
Things to Consider While Reading
The first time you read the novel should be
to get a general idea of the setting,
characters, plot and themes. However,
because this novel can be difficult you are
provided with some things to think about
while reading that will help you understand
the novel.
Things to Consider While Reading
Important Quotes
As you read be on the lookout for these important quotes from the novel:
“Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything
involving a Negro comes up, is something I don't pretend to
understand… I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for
their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they
trust me enough…” -Atticus Finch
Things to Consider While Reading
Using Resources
Having difficulty understanding the novel? Try these resources:
Sparknotes – Free Web Resource: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/
TKM Student Survival Guide
Wikipedia.org: To Kill A Mockingbird
Don’t forget about me! Ask me questions you may have!
To Kill A Mockingbird
By Harper Lee
Presentation created by Mr. S. Wilson
Geraldton Composite High School – Geraldton, Ontario