Background Information

Understanding the world of the 1930s

To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the 1930s in a small southern
The town in America. The 1930s were a time of the Great Depression
when people were struggling to make ends meet and life was
Author particularly difficult in rural towns.
In 1929 the economic prosperity of the ‘20s was halted by
Harper Lee (FULL the stock-market crash known as the Wall Street Crash, which
NAME: Nelle Harper Lee) resulted in the Great Depression. This was a dark and depressing
was born on April 28 1926 time in American history as many people lost their jobs, banks
and is an American author. failed, people became homeless and many went hungry. It lasted
Lee only published two for about ten years.
novels: one of which was the And this is the time in which Lee chose to set her novel. It
widely successful and informs the situation of the poor farmers in To Kill a Mockingbird
critically acclaimed To Kill a who have no money to pay a lawyer but pay instead with produce
Mockingbird (the other being like hickory nuts and turnip greens.
Go Set a Watchman, which
was published over 50 years
later).
RACISM in the 1930s

Although slavery was officially abolished in the late

Lee’s personal life clearly
1800s, in the 1930s racial discrimination was still very much
informed her novel: she was
alive. The Jim Crow Laws meant that black and white people
born and raised in Alabama;
were officially segregated (not allowed to sit in the same areas of
her father (known as ‘Finch’)
restaurants, not allowed on the same buses, not allowed to marry
was a lawyer who once
etc.)
defended two black men who
Moreover, black citizens were treated as second-class
were convicted of murdering
citizens: they were not paid the same wages as their white
a storeowner.
colleagues, they were often required to do ‘dirty jobs’, and lived
Lee studied law at the
on the outskirts of society.
University of Alabama, but
Not only were they officially discriminated against, but
dropped out in order to focus
black people also had to contend with the many prejudices and
on her writing.
stereotypes within society: lynch mobs often attacked African
In 1960 the novel To Kill
Americans and the Ku Klux Klan was still active.
a Mockingbird was published
and has sold over 30 million
copies.
Lee never married; she
died in 2016, in Alabama.

The Scottsboro Boys

In 1931, when Lee was five years old, nine young black men were accused of raping two white
women in Scottsboro, Alabama. The trials went on for years with many appeals, convictions, reconvictions
and eventual pardons. Many prominent lawyers and other American citizens saw the sentences as false and
motivated only by racial prejudice (they were convicted by an all-white jury). It was also widely believed
that the women who had accused the men were lying, and in appeal after appeal, their claims became more
and more doubtful.
There can be little doubt that the Scottsboro Case (as the trials of the nine men came to be called)
served as a seed for the trial that stands at the heart of To Kill a Mockingbird.

1
 ADVICE FROM LEE
Context
“As you grow up, always tell the truth, do no harm to
others, and don't think you are the most important being
on earth. Rich or poor, you then can look anyone in the
eye and say, “I'm probably no better than you, but I'm
certainly your equal.”
- Harper Lee, in a letter to a fan.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1. Summarize the social context of the time during which the novel is set.
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2. Refer to Lee’s advice to a fan above. How might this advice relate to the time
and context into which Lee was writing?
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3. When and where was Lee born? How might this have influenced her writing?
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4. In one of the extracts it says that black people were often forced to do ‘dirty
jobs’; what does this mean and why were they the ones forced to do such jobs?
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5. One of the most prominent themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is prejudice and

discrimination. Does that mean that it will be all about race? Explain why or why
not.
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2
 WHAT IS Prejudice?
Read each of the statements below, and then discuss
them with a partner. Do you agree or disagree? You must give an explanation of your opinion.

AGREE OR
STATEMENT DISAGREE? EXPLAIN / GIVE AN EXAMPLE.

Prejudice is something of the

past; society has learned
from history and we no longer
experience prejudice or
discrimination.

Stereotypes are a natural part

of being human; we all make
snap-judgments based on a
person’s gender, age,
appearance etc.

We have come a long way

when it comes to gender
discrimination; women are
now seen as completely equal
to men.

One is not born with prejudice;

it is something which one
learns from one’s parents,
family and society at large.

Prejudice only relates to

racism.

It is wrong to hate anyone;

every single person has both
good and bad characteristics.

Prejudice always stems from

ignorance.

3
The dictionary definition of prejudice: Why is prejudice
wrong?
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judged someone and ended up

_______________________________________________________________
A situation in which you pre-

_______________________________________________________________
being totally wrong:

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_______________________________________________________________

3 SYNONYMS

_________________________________
for PREJUDICE
for

An Antonym
PREJUDICE
_____________________________

_
_____________________________

_____________________________

In your opinion,
Prejudice is... prejudice and discrimination in our world today.
q Understandable in some circumstances List situations in which people still experience
q Never acceptable
q Is a normal human characteristic
q Something we learn as we get older
q Something we are born with
q Is always harmful

respond to prejudice when one witnesses it?

How should one

4
Character Profile: SCOUT
Full Name:
Character:
Scout
Type of
AGE:! Gender:!
character:!

Physical Description:!
e?
Who is sh

Personality:
Important Events in her life:!

How does she view

the world?!

How she relates to other characters:

To Jem:
To Aunt Alexandra:

To Atticus:
To Walter Cunningham:

To Calpurnia:!
! To Dill:!

Important quotation:!

Important quotation:
!
Important quotation:
!

How she changes throughout the novel:!

ANY OTHER NOTES:!

5
 Character Profile: ATTICUS
Type of
Gender:!
character:!

?
Occupation:!
Who is he

Full Name:
Physical Description:!

Personality:
Important Events in the novel:!

What he tries to te
ach his children:!

Description of his parenting style:

!
How Scout views him:!

Important quotation:!

Important quotation:
!

Important quotation:
!

How he relates to the main themes of the novel:

ANY OTHER NOTES:!
Justice:

Courage:

Prejudice:

6
Character Profile: JEM
Full Name:
Character:
Jem
Type of
AGE:! Gender:!
character:!

Physical Description:!
?
Who is he

Personality:
Important Events in his life:!

What Jem learns:!

How he relates to other characters:

To Scout:
How Scout views him:!

To Atticus:

To Mrs Dubose:
Important quotation:!
To Dill:!
!

Important quotation:
!
Important quotation:
!

How he changes throughout the novel:!

ANY OTHER NOTES:!

7
 Character Profiles: CAL & DILL
Full Name:
Character:
Cal
Type of
Gender:!
character:!
Who is she?
Occupation:!

Physical Description:!

Personality:

Important quotation:!
What Scout learns
from her:!

Important quotation:!

Full Name:
Character:
Dill
Type of
AGE:! Gender:!
character:!

Physical Description:!
?
Who is he

Personality:
Important Events in his life:!

How Scout relates

to him:!

Important quotation:!

Important quotation:!

Stacey Lloyd 2015 8

Character Profiles: TOM & BOO
Full Name:
Character:
Tom
Type of
Gender:!
character:!
Who is he?
Occupation:!

Physical Description:!

Personality:

Important quotation:!
Why he’s importan
t to the novel:!

Important quotation:!

Full Name:
Character:
Boo
Type of
AGE:! Gender:!
character:!

Physical Description:!
?
Who is he

Personality:
Important Events in his life:!

How Scout relates

to him:!

Important quotation:!

Important quotation:!

9
 Character Profiles: BOB & MAYELLA
!

Full Name:
Character:
Bob
Type of
Gender:!
character:!
Who is he?
Occupation:!

Physical Description:!

Personality:

Important quotation:!
Why he’s importan
t to the novel:!

Important quotation:!

Full Name:
Character:
Mayella
Type of
AGE:! Gender:!
character:!

Physical Description:!
Who is she?

Personality:
Describe her life situation:!

Why she’s importan

t to the novel:!

Important quotation:!

Important quotation:!

10
 Let’s pause to talk about
THEMES
Take a moment to discuss the following themes, and then make notes
about how these themes have been portrayed in the first five chapters in the novel.

17
 Chapters FIFTEEN - SIXTEEN
Jot down the main events of
these two chapters:
Describe the events of
these chapters in
ONE WORD 3 words
which describe
ATTICUS
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________

Do you think that Atticus will win

the trial? Why or why not?
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v
____________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Questions you have about the characters or plot at this stage

1.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Favorite line in these chapters:

Draw a symbol which
represents these chapters

GLOSSARY
privy (n.): ___________________________________________________
acquiescence (n.): ___________________________________________________
aggregation (n.): ___________________________________________________
elucidate (v.): ___________________________________________________
fey (adj.): ___________________________________________________
champertous (adj.): __________________________________________________
sundry (adj.): ___________________________________________________
venerable (adj.): ___________________________________________________

25
 15 -16
To Kill A Mockingbird

ga
id, watchin is Who says this?
orb rh
“'t's m il on trial fo lks,
e v fo
poor d at all those al ...
ok niv
life. Lo Roman car lic, I What does it illustrate about his/her character?
e a u b
it's lik cause it's p
e o I?”
Just b ave to go, d
don't h
REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What is the ‘nightmare’ that has descended upon the children?

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2. Why does the mob turn up at the jail? What is their intention?
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3. How does Scout defuse the situation outside the jail without realizing it?
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4. Why do you think that so many people want to attend the trial?
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5. We see that the jury is made up of farmers – is this significant?

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6. Does Judge Taylor take his job seriously? Explain your answer fully.
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WPROMPT
riting Rewrite the incident outside the jail, from the
perspective of one of the other characters
(Atticus, Mr. Cunningham, Jem or Dill).
26
 Exploring THE TRIAL
Defendant:
Imagine you’re a
court reporter. Fill Defendant’s council:
in these pages,
documenting Plaintiff:
your notes &
Prosecutor:
opinions on the
trial.
Judge:

PLAINTIFF’S ACCOUNT
Summary:

DISCREPANCIES

27
 17-19
To Kill A Mockingbird

Personal Notes:
Description of Bob:

Thoughts on Mayella’s testimony:

Thoughts on Atticus’s defense -

Tom Robinson’s testimony:

Other notes:

Notes on Jury reaction:

28
 Analyzing !ATTICUS’S CLOSING ARGUMENTS
In Atticus’s closing speech of the trial, he employs rhetorical language and persuasive techniques in an attempt
to convince the jury of Tom’s innocence. Closely analyze his words, and then fill in the following table.

QUOTE TECHNIQUE EFFECT

“...evidence you have heard...” / “We

know all men...”
“She was white, and she tempted a
Negro. She did something that in our Repetition
society is unspeakable: she kissed a
black man.”

Simile (use of
figurative language)

Atticus uses questions here; this is persuasive as

they are the questions the jury may have, and so
by answering them, he is drawing the jury to his
conclusion – that Tom is innocent.

“The state has not produced one

iota of medical evidence...”

Logos (appeal
to reason)

Anaphora (use
of figurative
language)

“equal” / “honorable” /“duty”

“Thomas Jefferson once said...”

Rule of three
(adjectives)
31
POS T- R EAD
ING
Themes ! Themes ! Themes ! !
Key characters related to this theme: THEME:
COURAGE & BRAVERY !

If this theme were a How can we apply this to our own lives? What can we learn?
color, it would be:

Explain/describe/mind map this theme:

Draw this theme (be creative!):

Key Quotations: What comment is Lee

making about society?

Explain/describe/discuss/mind map this theme: If this theme were a

color, it would be:
How can we apply this to our own lives? What can we learn?

the education system?

What greater comment is Lee making about

Key characters: Draw this theme (be

creative!):
THEME:
EDUCATION & LEARNING!
Key Quotations:

41
 Themes Themes Themes
POST
! ! ! ! -REA
DING
Explain/describe/discuss/mind map this theme:

Key Quotations: THEME:

INNOCENCE & GROWING UP!
Key characters: ``" Draw this theme (be creative!):

How can we apply this to our own lives? What can we learn?
and parenting?
What comment is being made about childhood

If this theme were a color, it would be:

WOMANHOOD
If this theme were a Key characters:
color, it would be:

& FEMALE
!!!
THEME:

How can we apply this to our own lives? What can we learn?
IDENTITY!
Explain/describe/discuss/mind map this theme: Draw this theme (be creative!):

Key Quotations:

What comment is Lee making about society and female identity?

42
POS T- R EAD
ING
Themes ! Themes ! Themes ! !
THEME: If this theme were a Key characters:
color, it would be:

JUSTICE &
!

SOCIAL CLASS!

How can we apply this to our own lives? What can we learn?
Explain/describe/discuss/mind map this theme: Draw this theme (be creative!):

Key Quotations:

What comment is Lee making about the legal system and society?

THEME: Explain/describe/discuss/mind map this theme:

PREJUDICE!
How can we apply this to our own lives? What can we learn?

If this theme were a color, it would be:

about human dignity and society?
What comment is Lee making

Draw this theme (be creative!): Key characters:

Key Quotations:

43
 Main Events of Rising Action: __________________________________________________________________" Main Events of Falling Action: ____________________""
" "

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________" ___________________________________________________________________"
"
"
!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________" ___________________________________________________________________"
"
"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________" ___________________________________________________________________"
"
"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________" _____________________________________________________________"
"
"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
Climax ________________________________________________________"
"
"
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________" ______________________________________________________"
"
"
_____________________________________________________"
Protagonist’s Conflict:"_____________________________________________________________ "
Greatest point of tension/action:

n
" ____________________________________________________"
_________________________________________________"

o
________________________________________________________________________________________" " "

i
" """"""""_______________________________________________________" __________________________________________________"

Fallin
"

ct
___________________________________________________________________________________" " g
" _________________________________________________"

A
""____________________________________________________________"
" "

g
Elements of suspense:"____________________________________________ ________________________________________________"
A
"
""""""""""""___________________________________________________________________"
"
c

"

in
_______________________________________________________________________"
t

______________________________________________"

s
____________________________________________________________________________"
i

"

i
Let’s pause to think about

" "
___________________________________________________________________" ______________________________________________"

R
"
_____________________________________________________________________________"
"
on

"
_______________________________________________________________" ______________________________________________"
______________________________________________________________________________"
" "
_______________________________________________________________________________"
"
Exposition " Resolution
"

Setting: _____________________________________________________________________________________________" How is the conflict resolved?"___________________________________________________________________________

"

Narrative Perspective: ______________________________________________________________________
Characters introduced: _____________________________________________________________________"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
Ending: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________"
THE PLOT STRUCTURE
!

"
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
"
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
POST

Opening Events: _______________________________________________________________________________

How is the protagonist changed? ______________________________________________________________________
"
-REA

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________" _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
"
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________" ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________"
DING

44
 ING
POS T- R EAD Let’s pause to think about
THE NARRATIVE
! PERSPECTIVE !

 From
" whose perspective is the The Tense of the Narration:" Three words which
story told?" characterize the narrator:"

Describe the narrator (in as much detail as

possible):"

The narrative perspective is:"

q  First-person "

why not?"
Should the reader trust the narrator? Why or
(Tick one)"

q  Second-person "
q  Third-person limited "
q  Third-person objective"
q  Third-person omniscient"

How is this shown through the

language?"

Is the narrator a ‘likeable’ character? Why or why not?"

What role does the narrator play in the development of the plot?"

What role does the narrator play in the characterization of one or more of the
characters?"

Describe the TONE of the Why this choice of narrative perspective? How is
narration:" it effective?"

A quotation from the text which clearly displays the narrative perspective/character of the narrator:"

45
 POST
Let’s pause to think about -REA
DING

LITERARY ELEMENTS
!LITERARY ELEMENTS
Title: ___________________________________________________
Author: ________________________________________________ !

Time (historical): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ !

Location (geographical): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Setting Location (specifically): _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Weather: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sensory experiences: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mood created by setting: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Protagonist: _________________________________________________________ Antagonist: ________________________________________________________

Other main characters: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Characters
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Narrative Perspective: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conflict Internal conflict faced by protagonist: ______________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

External conflict faced by protagonist: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Result of the conflict: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Exposition: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rising Action: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Plot
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Climax: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Falling Action: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Resolution: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Main Theme: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Theme How is this theme conveyed? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Any motifs/symbols: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

46
© Stacey Lloyd 2014