To Kill a To Kill a MockingbirdMockingbird

Historical and Historical and Background Background InformationInformation

Harper LeeHarper Lee Born Nelle Harper Lee Born Nelle Harper Lee

on 28on 28thth April 1926 in April 1926 in Monroeville Alabama.Monroeville Alabama.

Her father was a Her father was a lawyer.lawyer.

She studied law at the She studied law at the University of Alabama University of Alabama 1945-49, but left before 1945-49, but left before finishing to pursue a finishing to pursue a literacy career.literacy career.

Harper LeeHarper Lee In 1957 she submitted the manuscript of her novel but In 1957 she submitted the manuscript of her novel but

she was told that it consisted of a series of short she was told that it consisted of a series of short stories strung together, and she was urged to rewrite stories strung together, and she was urged to rewrite it.it.

For the next two and a half years she reworked the For the next two and a half years she reworked the manuscript and in 1960 To Kill a Mockingbird was manuscript and in 1960 To Kill a Mockingbird was published. published.

The novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.The novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. Despite the success of the novel Lee never published Despite the success of the novel Lee never published

any more books. any more books.

The Great The Great DepressionDepression

A worldwide economic downturn starting in America A worldwide economic downturn starting in America with a major stock market crash on 29with a major stock market crash on 29 thth October 1929 October 1929 which became known as Black Tuesday.which became known as Black Tuesday.

Many shares suddenly became worthless and poverty Many shares suddenly became worthless and poverty swept the country.swept the country.

The public lost confidence in the economy and The public lost confidence in the economy and spending levels decreased.spending levels decreased.

This resulted in drastically falling production levels This resulted in drastically falling production levels and drastically rising unemployment. and drastically rising unemployment.

AlabamaAlabama

Alabama in the Alabama in the 1930s1930s By the early 20By the early 20thth

century, every southern century, every southern state had passed laws state had passed laws that created two that created two separate societies; one separate societies; one black, the other white.black, the other white.

Blacks and whites could Blacks and whites could not use the same waiting not use the same waiting rooms and blacks were rooms and blacks were barred from many barred from many hospitals. hospitals.

Slavery and Slavery and RacismRacism

In the early 20In the early 20thth Century tens of thousands of Century tens of thousands of convicts, mostly black men, were caught up in a racist convicts, mostly black men, were caught up in a racist justice system. justice system.

Until nearly 1930, Alabama was providing convicts Until nearly 1930, Alabama was providing convicts to businesses, who would work in the fields and to businesses, who would work in the fields and mines.mines.

Nearly two decades after slavery was abolished in Nearly two decades after slavery was abolished in America, men were dying as slaves in a prison work America, men were dying as slaves in a prison work scheme that benefited southern states and businesses. scheme that benefited southern states and businesses.

Civil Rights Civil Rights MovementMovement To Kill a Mockingbird was written in 1960 at the To Kill a Mockingbird was written in 1960 at the

beginning of the black Civil Rights Movement.beginning of the black Civil Rights Movement. Although it was almost 100 years since slavery was Although it was almost 100 years since slavery was

abolished in America black people were still being abolished in America black people were still being treated as second class citizens.treated as second class citizens.

Blacks, who had fought for their country during the Blacks, who had fought for their country during the Second World War, were starting to demand more Second World War, were starting to demand more civil rights, such as their right to vote. The black Civil civil rights, such as their right to vote. The black Civil Rights Movement took on new strength and Alabama Rights Movement took on new strength and Alabama was an important centre in this movement. was an important centre in this movement.

ThemesThemes PrejudicePrejudice RacismRacism LonelinessLoneliness CourageCourage InnocenceInnocence Growing UpGrowing Up Coexistence of Good and EvilCoexistence of Good and Evil Gaining UnderstandingGaining Understanding Importance of Moral EducationImportance of Moral Education