TALKING ABOUT TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

A Brief Biography of Harper Lee: Early Years

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

A Brief Biography of Harper Lee: Later Years

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

Harper Lee vs. Scout Finch -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

Scout’s Point of View 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

Investigating the Introduction 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.

Characters Explained: Scout 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-year-old 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.

Characters Explained: Atticus Finch

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

Major Characters Explained: Jem and Dill 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

Characters Explained: Boo Radley 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

Other Characters Explained Cont’d

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.