To Kill A Mockingbird Contextual Points Flashcards
Publication of Novel
Novel is set in early 1930s + was published in 1960, so it’s important to consider context of both times. Characters: Atticus, Jem + Scout + Themes: Justice, Judgement/Prejudice + Education.
Harper Lee
Born in Monroeville, Alabama, in 1928. Her experience of growing up is at same time as Scout in novel, so novel is thought to be semi-autobiographical. Lee’s father - like Atticus - was lawyer + Lee also had friends who were more or less abandoned by their parents when they were children. As child, Lee was ‘tomboy’ who was more interested in reading + developing her skills as writer, so there are many parallels between her + Scout. Characters: Scout, Atticus + Dill + Themes: Growing up/Childhood, Education + Women + Femininity.
Slavery
Although slavery was abolished in America in 1890, this did little to change attitudes towards African American people, especially in South. These former Confederate states were most vehemently opposed to racial equality + rights for non-White Americans. Characters: Bob, Atticus + Calpurnia+ Themes: Injustice, Morality + Ethics + Prejudice/Judgement.
The ‘Jim Crow’ Laws
‘Jim Crow’ laws enforced racial segregation in Southern United States; they were known as ‘Jim Crow’ laws as this was derogatory term for African Americans at this time. These laws officially stated that Black + White populations were ‘separate but equal’; but, this was not case in reality. First of these laws was introduced in 1865 after end of American Civil War + they were generally overturned in 1965, five years after publication To Kill a Mockingbird. Characters: Atticus, Tom + Calpurnia + Themes: Injustice, Fear + Morality + Ethics.
NAACP
National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909 to campaign against racist legislation. Characters: Tom, Atticus + Calpurnia + Themes: Justice, Courage + Education.
Politics
Legislation designed to prevent African American participation in politics was introduced + led to majority of Black people – + many poor white people – being unable to vote. This was particularly prominent in former Confederate states in South, including Alabama. Characters: Ewells, Atticus + Scout. Themes: Injustice, Prejudice/Judgement + Morality + Ethics.
Black People’s Facilities
Black schools, libraries + facilities received less funding + were maintained at lower standard than facilities for White people. Characters: Calpurnia, Tom + Aunt Alexandra + Themes: Morality + Ethics, Injustice + Prejudice/Judgement.
Lynchings
Vigilante (violent) killing of someone without trial by mob – were common against Black people in Alabama in 1930s; NAACP recorded eight in Alabama in 1937 + six in 1938. Anti-lynching Bills went through Congress in 1930s, but they were brought down by Southern senators. Characters: Tom, Atticus + Scout + Themes: Fear, Family life + Injustice.
The ‘Scotsboro Boys’ trial
1933 ‘Scotsboro Boys’ trial partly inspired To Kill a Mockingbird; 9 Black teenage boys were accused of rape by two white women. One was pushed from train my White man claiming it was ‘white man’s train’ + group of Black teenagers humiliated them + remained on board. Two White women then falsely accused them of rape + all but one – 13 year old – were sentenced to death. Trial was unfair, there was no evidence of rape + boys had poor legal counsel. Lynch mob gathered around prison in which they were being held + jury was all-White. Ultimately, none were actually executed but they spent long time in prison for crime they didn’t commit. Characters: Tom, Ewells + Jem + Themes: Fear, Injustice + Growing up/Childhood.
The Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, white-supremacist organisation, were active in Southern states of US during 1930s + several rose to prominent positions, including Bibb Graves, elected as Governor of Alabama in 1936, + Hugo La Fayette, Alabama Senator, who was confirmed as Supreme Court Justice in 1937. Characters: Atticus, Tom + Jem + Themes: Fear, Growing up/Childhood + Family life.
The Change in Segregation in Education
In 1954, segregation in education was declared unconstitutional, but segregationists resisted this change; it was particularly strongly opposed in Alabama, which declared Supreme Court decision ‘null and void’. Characters: Calpurnia, Miss Maudie + Mrs Dubose + Themes: Courage, Education + Women + Femininity.
The University of Alabama
In 1956 – just four years before To Kill a Mockingbird – was published, first Black student enrolled at University of Alabama, university Harper Lee had attended. Characters: Calpurnia, Tom + Atticus + Themes: Justice, Courage + Education.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955 + 1956, Montgomery Bus boycott took place in Montgomery, Alabama. In response to Rosa Parks being arrested, Black people refused to use public buses. This eventually led to Supreme Court declaring segregated transport unconstitutional. Characters: Calpurnia, Tom + Aunt Alexandra + Themes: Courage, Justice + Women + Femininity.
Emmett Till
In 1954, 14-year-old Black boy called Emmett Till was abducted from his uncle’s house + brutally beaten and killed by two White men in Mississippi having been accused of offending White woman. All-White jury acquitted two men. Protected by ‘double-jeopardy’ laws (meaning you couldn’t be tried twice for same crime), men admitted their crime in 1956, selling story of how they did it to magazine for $4000. Characters: Dill, Scout + Jem + Themes: Education, Fear + Family life.
Miscegenation
Interracial marriage (miscegenation) was illegal across South in 1930s. Alabama continued to enforce miscegenation laws until 1970 + was last State to formally lift ban, doing so in 2000. Characters: Dill, Scout + Atticus + Themes: Education, Morality + Ethics + Prejudice/Judgement.
