tkam overview FINAL

Author Background – Harper Lee

• Born in Monroeville, Alabama, in 1926.

• Lifelong friend of Truman Capote.

• Wrote To Kill a Mockingbird in the late 1950s.

• Published TKAM in 1960; won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.

• Published only two books: To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman (released in 2015).

• Publication came during the Civil Rights Movement—relevant due to the novel’s focus on racism and justice.

Historical Background – Scottsboro Trial

• Took place in Alabama in 1931.

• Nine Black teenagers were falsely accused of raping two white women on a train.

• Despite weak evidence and recanted testimony, all-white juries convicted them.

• Multiple appeals, retrials, and long prison sentences followed.

• Exposed deep racism in the Southern justice system.

• Inspired elements of Tom Robinson’s trial in TKAM.

 Historical Setting of TKAM

• Set in Maycomb, Alabama (fictional town).

• Takes place during the Great Depression (1930s).

• Racial segregation, economic hardship, and rigid social classes define the setting.

• Strong influence of traditional Southern values and racial prejudice.

 Plot Events (in order)

1. Scout starts school and has conflicts with Miss Caroline.

2. Scout, Jem, and Dill become obsessed with Boo Radley.

3. Jem loses his pants at the Radley fence, later finds them mended.

4. Children find gifts in the knothole of the Radley tree.

5. Tree hole is filled with cement by Nathan Radley.

6. Fire at Miss Maudie’s house; Boo places a blanket on Scout.

7. Jem is punished by reading to Mrs. Dubose learns about courage.

8. Atticus shoots the rabid dog.

9. Calpurnia takes the children to her Black church.

10. Lynch mob arrives at jail; Scout unknowingly breaks the tension.

11. Tom Robinson’s trial begins.

12. Atticus presents clear evidence of Tom’s innocence.

13. Despite this, Tom is convicted due to racial bias.

14. Missionary circle visits; shows the town’s hypocrisy.

15. Tom tries to escape prison and is shot and killed.

16. Bob Ewell harasses Tom’s family and others.

17. On Halloween night, Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem.

18. Boo Radley saves them and kills Bob Ewell.

19. Heck Tate protecting Boo by claiming Bob fell on his knife.

20. Scout finally meets Boo and walks him home, seeing the world from his perspective.
    

Themes

• Racism and Injustice: Exposed through Tom Robinson’s trial and society’s treatment of African Americans.

• Moral Growth: Scout and Jem learn empathy, courage, and justice.

• Courage: Shown by Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Boo.

• Empathy: Atticus teaches Scout to “climb into someone’s skin and walk around in it.”

• Family and Parenting: Different parenting styles (Atticus vs. Aunt Alexandra).

Loss of Innocence: The children’s journey from innocence to understanding the harsh realities of the world.

Symbols

• Mockingbird: Symbol of innocence and goodness (Tom Robinson, Boo Radley).

• Camellias: Symbol of forgiveness and courage (Mrs. Dubose).

• The Radley House: Symbol of fear of the unknown and later, misunderstood kindness.

• The Knothole Tree: Represents communication and connection; loss of innocence when sealed.

• Atticus’s Glasses: Represent wisdom and clarity; broken when he shoots the dog—moment of uncomfortable action.

 Ethos, Pathos, Logos in the Trial

• Ethos (Credibility): Atticus uses his strong reputation and calm demeanor to establish trust.

• Pathos (Emotion): He appeals to the jury’s conscience and humanity, especially in his closing argument.

Logos (Logic): He points out the lack of medical evidence, Tom’s disabled