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Nelle Harper Lee, April 28, 1926
Youngest of 4 children, grew up as a tomboy in a small town.
For most of Lee’s life, mother suffered from mental illness, rarely leaving the house.
One of her closest childhood friends was another writer-to-be, Truman Capote (then
known as Truman Persons).
Developed an interest in English literature in high school
After graduating in 1944, went to the all-female Huntingdon College in Montgomery
Stood apart from the other students—could have cared less about fashion, makeup, or
dating.
Focused on her studies and on her writing and was a member of the Literary Honor
Society and Glee club.
Transferring to the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Lee was known for being a
loner and an individualist.
Was the editor of the school newspaper Rammer Jammer
Was accepted into the university's law school, but had to give up editing
Later transferred to Oxford University in England, but left after 1 semester
Moved to NYC in 1949 (23 years old), met back up with Truman Capote and helped
him research
Struggled for several years, working as a ticket agent for Eastern Airlines and for the
British Overseas Air Corp
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Published TKAM (1960) and won the Pulitzer Prize the following year
By mid-1960s, she was reportedly working on a second novel, but it was never
published. Continuing to help Capote, Lee worked with him on and off on In Cold
Blood
That same year, had an operation on her hand to repair damage done by a bad
burn.
She also accepted a post on the National Council of the Arts at the request of
President Lyndon B. Johnson.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Lee largely retreated from public life.
She spent some of her time on a nonfiction book project about an Alabama serial
killer, which had the working title The Reverend- never published.
Lee continues to live a quiet, private life in New York City and Monroeville. Active
in her church and community, she usually avoids anything to do with her still
popular novel.
Never married, never had children
-1930, Montgomery Alabama
-Great Depression
-Racial segregation
-Father was a lawyer
-Tomboy
-Independent
-Mother’s name: Jean
-Mother’s maiden name: Finch
-Mother was present, but absent
-Raised by father
-1930, Maycomb Alabama
-Great Depression
-Racial segregation
-Father was a lawyer
-Tomboy
-- Independent
-‘Real name’: Jean
-Last name: Finch
-No memory of mother
-Raised by father
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The story is not told by the younger Scout Finch.
It is told by an older Scout, looking back.
However, the point of view is mostly a first-person
limited one; that is, limited to the knowledge of the
younger Scout.
In this way, the narration presents a sort of doubled
perspective on events.
At times, it is difficult to decipher between the older
and the younger, as Scout is mature for her age and
well-read
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Scout begins her story by retelling how Jem broke his
arm, but ends up on a tangent of her entire family’s
history
Simon Finch was 1st of her ancestors to settle in America;
a fur-trader and apothecary
He escaped England to flee from religious persecution
Established a farm on banks of the Alabama River called
Finch’s Landing; supported the family for many years
Atticus Finch was 1st to make a living outside of farm, as
he became a lawyer in the nearby town of Maycomb
His brother, Jack Finch who went to medical school in
Boston
Their sister, Alexandra Finch, stayed to run the Landing.
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Real name: Jean Louise Finch
Highly intelligent (she learns to read before beginning school)
Extremely confident (she fights boys without fear)
Thoughtful (concerned about essential goodness and evil of mankind)
Exemplifies all virtues (she always acts with the best intentions)
The ultimate product of a moral, upstanding lawyer: Atticus Finch
He has fed her mind, moral conscience and spirit without stunting her
growth through the introduction to social issues and Southern ideas of
decorum.
While most girls in Scout’s position would be wearing dresses and
learning manners, wears overalls and learns to climb trees with Jem and
Dill
She does not always grasp social cues (she tells her teacher that one of her
fellow students is too poor to pay her back for lunch), and human
behavior often baffles her
At the beginning of the novel, she is an innocent, good-hearted five-yearold child who has no experience with the evils of the world.
As the novel progresses, she her 1st encounter with evil in the form of
racial prejudice
Though she is still a child at the end of the book, Scout’s perspective on
life develops from that of an innocent child into that of a near grown-up.
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Father to Jem and Scout
Single parent, raising children with the help of Calpurnia
One of the most prominent citizens in Maycomb during the Great Depression
Relatively well off in a time of widespread poverty, a defense attorney
Embodies virtuous characteristics, standing apart from the racists, well-respected
Works as the moral compass of Maycomb
Unable to abide the town’s racial prejudice, he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a
black man, making him the target of ridicule
Atticus shows great understanding that he preaches to Scout and Jem and never
holds a grudge against the people of Maycomb
He recognizes that people have both good and bad qualities, and he is determined
to admire the good while understanding and forgiving the bad
Atticus passes this great moral lesson on to Scout—this perspective protects the
innocent from being destroyed by contact with evil
Ironically, though Atticus is a heroic figure in the novel and a respected man in
Maycomb, neither Jem nor Scout consciously idolizes him at the beginning of the
novel
Both are embarrassed that he is older than other fathers
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Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch
Scout’s brother and constant playmate at the beginning of the story
Jem is somewhat of a ‘typical American boy’, who fantasizes about playing
football
Never backs down from a dare
Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but
he remains her close protector throughout the novel
Jem becomes a teenager during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the
evil and injustice that he perceives during the trial of Tom Robinson
Charles Baker “Dill” Harris
Jem and Scout’s summer neighbor and playmate. Dill is a tiny, secure boy with a
vivid imagination and white hair
Fascinated with movies like “Dracula” , a dreamer
A summer visitor (stays with his aunt), he is not accustomed to Maycomb’s ways
Doesn’t like discussing the absence of his father
Is unwanted by his parents and shuffled between family members
He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of
childhood innocence throughout the novel
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Arthur “Boo” Radley
A recluse who never leaves his parent’s house, Boo’s mystery
ignites the imaginations of Jem, Scout, and Dill
An intelligent child emotionally wounded by his mean and
abusive father,
Viewed as an insane and somewhat dangerous person by
many of the people in Macomb
As a teen he was involved in a prank that resulted in locking
up an elderly town official in Maycomb County courthouse,
he was sent to a correctional facility and when he returned
home, his strict parents locked him up, making him an
outsider.
In his 30’s, Boo attacked his father with a pair of scissors
Eventually when his father died, he remained imprisoned by
his brother, Nathan Radley
As a result of not making public appearances, many rumors
and over-blown stories circulate
People believe that he is 6”0 tall, has a jagged scar on his face,
that he has bad teeth, and that he drools
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Miss Maudie Atkinson: The Finches’ neighbor, a sharp-tongued
widow, and an old friend of the family. Miss Maudie is almost the
same age as Atticus’s younger brother, Jack. She shares Atticus’s
passion for justice and is the children’s best friend among
Maycomb’s adults
Miss Caroline Fisher: Scout’s 1st grade teacher. From the North of
Alabama, she is not familiar with Maycomb’s ways. She wants
Atticus to stop teaching Scout how to read, believing he is
“damaging her”. 21 years old, pretty and poised.
Walter Cunningham: Son of one of the poorest families in
Maycomb. Father was Atticus’ client, nearly lost his land due to
extreme poverty. Honest, never taking money or handouts from
others.
Calpurnia : The Finch's’ black cook. A stern disciplinarian and the
children’s bridge between the white world and her own black
community. “Mammie" figure.