Upload
eunice-lyons
View
221
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Unit 4: To Kill a Mockingbirdand the American Dream
Warm-Up
Jim Crow Laws
Introduction to TKaM
Homework
Warm-Up:Review the Jim Crow Laws handout. Select one and discuss your reaction.
Unit Essential Questions:• What impact does historical, cultural, geographical, and social context have on a novel and on the reaction of readers to it?
• What are the characteristics of bildungsroman and how does TKaM fit into this category?
Summative TaskHow do the authors of this unit
use diction to express a vision of The American Dream? Do you agree or disagree with the portrayal each author provides of the dream?
“Jim Crow” Laws• From the 1880s to the
1960s most states enforced segregation through the “Jim Crow” laws named after a black-faced character in minstrel shows.
• Through these laws legal punishments could be imposed on people for having contact with members of another race.
“ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
Dr. Martin Luther King
Historical Background
• The setting • Maycomb, Georgia• 1933-1935• Great Depression• Hitler in power in Germany
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
Historical Background
• Slavery was abolished in 1864, but Southerners still believe in white supremacy.
• Segregation exists. Blacks may not sit in the same sections as whites. They have separate facilities as well.
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
Historical Background• Gender Bias
• Women were the weaker sex.• Education not important for
women.• Wealthy women were expected
to supervise staff• Men were not seen as nurturing
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
Historical Background
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
Poor White Families•Hard-working•Honest•Proud•Survive on very little•Always pay back their debts – even if it is with hickory nuts, turnips, or holly.•The Cunninghams fit this category
Historical Background
Poor white trash
•Dirty•Lazy•Good-for-nothing•Never done a day’s work•Foul-mouthed•Dishonest•Immoral•The Ewells fit this category
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
Historical BackgroundThe Black Community
•Simple•Honest•Clean•Hard-working•God fearing•Proud•Would never take anything with paying it back•Respectful•Had stronger character than most of the whites•Oppressed•Uneducated•Discriminated against•Talked about badly•Deserve better than what is dished out to them by society
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
CharactersJean Louise Finch “Scout”
The story’s narratorAlthough now an adult, Scout looks
back at her childhood and tells of the momentous events and influential people of those years.
Scout is six when the story begins.She is naturally curious about life.
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
CharactersAtticus Finch
Father of Scout and JemA widowerAn attorney by professionHighly respectedGood citizenInstills good values and morals in his
children.
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
CharactersJem Finch
Scout’s older brother
Looks up to his father Atticus
Usually looks out for Scout
Typical older brother at times
Smart
Compassionate
Matures as the story progresses
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
CharactersCalpurnia
The Finch’s black housekeeperHas watched the children since their
mother’s deathHas been a positive influence on the
children.
to kill a
mockingbird
by harper
lee
Bildungsroman
• Bildungsroman is a special kind of novel that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of its main character from his or her youth to adulthood.
• A Bildungsroman is a story of the growing up of a sensitive person who looks for answers to his questions through different experiences. Generally, such a novel starts with a loss or a tragedy that disturbs the main character emotionally. He or she leaves on a journey to fill that vacuum.
• During the journey, the protagonist gains maturity gradually and with difficulty. Usually, the plot depicts a conflict between the protagonist and the values of society. Finally, he or she accepts those values and they are accepted by the society, ending the dissatisfaction. Such a type of novel is also known as a coming-of-age novel.
Language• Sometimes the language of Scout will be that of her as a child;
other times, she will be speaking in the voice of an adult• Atticus uses formal speech• Calpurnia uses “white language” in the Finch house and
switches to “black jargon” when amidst blacks• The Ewells use foul words and obscenities• Jem, Scout, and Dill will use slang words, typical of their age• Tom Robinson uses language typical of the southern black
such as “suh” for “sir” and “chillun” for “children”• Various derogatory terms for blacks will be used such as “n,”
“darky,” “Negroes,” and “colored folk” – Lee uses such language to keep her novel naturally in sync with common language of the times
Video – The “N” Word
What to Look For in Chapters 1-5
Scout Jem DillAtticus Calpurnia Boo
RadleyWalter
CunninghamRachel Caroline
FisherBurris Ewell
Gum Hot Steam
Molasses Cootie Read
Reading Dates
Read DueChapters 1 – 5 Monday 12/21Chapters 6 – 8 Tuesday 12/22Chapters 9 – 20 Monday 1/4Chapters 21 – 24 Tuesday 1/5Chapters 25 – 28 Wednesday 1/6Chapters 29 – end Thursday 1/7