Background
and Essential Information 11/10/19
about the Novel
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Essential Question: What is the important
background information on the book and author? Why
is this information important and how does it help with
your understanding of the novel?
SWBAT (Students will be able to): Identify the
importance of the setting and how the historical
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD information influences the plot of the novel.
BY HARPER LEE CA Content Standards:
RL 9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze
in detail itsdevelopment over the course of the text, including how
it emerges and isshaped and refined by specific details; provide an
Background and Essential Information about the Novel objective summary of the text
9 t h /10 t h G rade English, Karel Meza
SL 9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led)
with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues,
building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and
persuasively.
Background on the Author
◦ April 28, 1926 - February 19, 2016
BASED ON WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW BY COMPLETING THE WEBERCISE... ◦ Born in Monroeville, Alabama
◦ Her father was a Lawyer and her mother suffered
WHAT DO YOU PREDICT WILL BE A from mental illness
MAJOR ISSUE IN THE NOVEL? ◦ Dropped out of Law School to continue to
pursue her writing career
◦ Friends with another popular author Truman
Discuss your thoughts with your partner.
Capote
◦ Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
2007 for her "outstanding contribution to
America's literary tradition"
Background on the Novel Setting
◦ To Kill a Mockingbird was published in July 1960
◦ A year later the book won Pulitzer Prize, and 1930’s, middle of
several other literary awards Fictional town of Typical small
the Great
Maycomb, Alabama Depression southern town
◦ It was translated into 40 languages and sold more
than 30 million copies
◦ Heavily influenced by Lee’s childhood
Rural area, most of Pre-Civil rights
◦ Adapted into films and plays, 1962 film was the characters make movement,
nominated for several academy awards their living by tumultuous time for
◦ One of the most popular coming of age novels farming African Americans
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Background and Essential Information 11/10/19
about the Novel
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Map Of Maycomb Quick Video about Setting and Background
What is an important background or
Characters
setting detail that stood out to you? Main Characters Secondary Characters
Scout (Jean Louise Finch)- Narrator Boo Radley (Arthur Radley ) – Mysterious Neighbor
Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch)- Scout's older brother and Atticus's son. Tom Robinson – on trial for being accused of rape, defended by
Atticus
Why do you think this will be
Let’s Chat. important?
Atticus Finch - Scout and Jem's father Calpurnia – The Finch family’s maid
Mayella & Bob Ewell – Accuse Tom Robinson of Rape
Aunt Alexandra - Atticus's sister, and Scout and Jem's aunt
Dill Harris – Jem and Scout's friend
Share with your partner and get ready Miss Maudie – Widowed Neighbor
to discuss. Uncle Jack – Atticus and Alexandra's younger brother. Scout and
Jem's uncle.
Atticus Jem
◦ Father to both Jem and Scout ◦ Full name: Jeremy Atticus Finch
◦ A well respected Lawyer until the trial ◦ Age 10 – 13 throughout the duration of the book
◦ The “voice of reason” in the novel ◦ Scout’s older brother and role model
◦ A caring single father who dislikes violence ◦ Grows and learns as much as Scout does during
◦ "You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one the novel
thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep ◦ "Atticus says you can choose your friends but you
those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you
let 'em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change." -
sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin
Chapter 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird
to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em
or not, and it makes you look right silly when you
don't." - Chapter 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird
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Background and Essential Information 11/10/19
about the Novel
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The narrator of the novel is Scout,
Scout but years later after the events
have occurred
◦ Full name: Jean Louise Finch
◦ Our novel’s main protagonist and narrator
The novel is written in first-person
◦ Age 6 - 9 throughout the course if the novel Point of View point of view
◦ Smart and loves to read, yet naïve
◦ Impulsive and a troublemaker
◦ "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks." Showcases Scout’s naïve nature,
- Chapter 23 of To Kill a Mockingbird but also expresses the wisdom she
has gained throughout the events
Let’s Chat. Themes / Main Ideas to Think About
How is Scout limited as our narrator? Is she a Good Vs. Racism /
trustworthy narrator, or is she biased? Justice
Evil Prejudice
Share with your partner and get ready to discuss. Morality Innocence
Symbols to From the Back Cover
Look For of the Book:
Mad Dog Harper Lee's Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork of honor
and injustice in the deep south—and the heroism of one
man in the face of blind and violent hatred
Mockingbird
A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale
Camellias (Flowers) of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent
prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage
inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—
Knothole a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a
black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.
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Background and Essential Information 11/10/19
about the Novel
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
As you read think about issues that we see
in the book that still affect us today Final Activity
Think about how the themes affect everyday
life
Take note of anything that stands out to
Close Reading you about a character
Write a 3– 5 sentence summary
Tips Highlight if you think something important
was said
of what you’ve learned: Next to your summary draw or
sketch one of the main ideas we
It can be about something you discussed, write one sentence
Write any ideas or connections you make found interesting, you hope to about what that theme/main
while reading learn, or something that you idea means to you.
If you don’t know what something means, would like to learn more about.
look it up
Sources:
◦ Harper Lee Biography
◦ [Link]
◦ [Link]
◦ [Link]
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