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To Kill a Mockingbird

What is To Kill a Mockingbird about?

What inspired harper lee to write to kill a mockingbird , how did people respond to to kill a mockingbird , why is to kill a mockingbird a significant text, is there a sequel to to kill a mockingbird .

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression (1929–39). The story centres on Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch, an unusually intelligent girl who ages from six to nine years old during the novel. She and her brother, Jeremy Atticus (“Jem”), are raised by their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a well-known and respected lawyer. He teaches his children to be empathetic and just, always leading by example.

When Tom Robinson, one of the town’s Black residents, is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a young white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him despite threats from the community. Although Atticus presents a defense that gives a more plausible interpretation of the evidence—that Mayella was attacked by her father, Bob Ewell—Tom is convicted. He is later killed while trying to escape custody. The children, meanwhile, play out their own miniaturized drama. Scout and Jem become especially interested in the town recluse, Arthur (“Boo”) Radley, who interacts with them by leaving them small gifts in a tree. On Halloween, when Bob Ewell tries to attack Scout and Jem, Boo intervenes and saves them. Boo ultimately kills Ewell. The sheriff, however, decides to tell the community that Ewell’s death was an accident.

It is widely believed that Harper Lee based the character of Atticus Finch on her father, Amasa Coleman Lee, a compassionate and dedicated lawyer. The plot of To Kill a Mockingbird was reportedly inspired in part by his unsuccessful defense of two African American men—a father and a son—accused of murdering a white storekeeper. The fictional character of Charles Baker (“Dill”) Harris also has a real-life counterpart. Dill is based on the author Truman Capote , Lee’s childhood friend and next-door neighbour in Monroeville, Alabama. (After the spectacular success of To Kill a Mockingbird , some speculated that Capote was the actual author of Lee’s work. This rumour was not put to rest until 2006.) There is some anecdotal evidence that the town recluse, Arthur (“Boo”) Radley, was based on Lee and Capote’s childhood neighbour, Son Boulware. According to Capote, Boo “was a real man, and he lived just down the road from us.…Everything [Lee] wrote about it is absolutely true.”

Harper Lee began writing To Kill a Mockingbird in the mid-1950s. It was published in 1960, just before the peak of the American civil rights movement . Initial critical responses to the novel were mixed. Many critics praised Lee for her sensitive treatment of a child’s awakening to racism and prejudice. Others, however, criticized the novel’s tendency to sermonize. Some reviewers argued that the narrative voice was unconvincing. The novel was nonetheless enormously popular with contemporary audiences. To Kill a Mockingbird flourished in the racially charged environment of the United States in the early 1960s. In its first year it sold about 500,000 copies. A year after the publication of the novel, Lee was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best-known and most widely read books in the United States. Since its publication in 1960, the novel has been translated into some 40 languages and has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. A staple on American high- school reading lists, the novel has inspired numerous stage and film adaptations, the most notable of which was the 1962 film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. Lee’s novel continues to resonate with audiences today; in 2018 a stage adaptation of the novel debuted to rave reviews on Broadway.

In 2015 Harper Lee published a second novel titled Go Set a Watchman . Although it was technically written before To Kill a Mockingbird , the novel is essentially a sequel. Go Set a Watchman is set 20 years after the events of To Kill a Mockingbird . In the novel, Jean Louise (”Scout”) Finch—now a grown woman living in New York City—returns to her childhood home in Alabama to visit her aging father, who has embraced racist views. Despite the controversy surrounding its publication (some believe the novel is actually an early draft of To Kill a Mockingbird ), the novel reportedly sold 1.1 million copies in its first week.

To Kill a Mockingbird , novel by American author Harper Lee , published in 1960. Enormously popular, it was translated into some 40 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide , and is one of the most-assigned novels in American schools. In 1961 it won a Pulitzer Prize . The novel was praised for its sensitive treatment of a child’s awakening to racism and prejudice in the American South .

scene from To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression . The protagonist is Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch, an intelligent though unconventional girl who ages from six to nine years old during the course of the novel. She is raised with her brother, Jeremy Atticus (“Jem”), by their widowed father, Atticus Finch . He is a prominent lawyer who encourages his children to be empathetic and just. He notably tells them that it is “a sin to kill a mockingbird ,” alluding to the fact that the birds are innocent and harmless.

When Tom Robinson, one of the town’s Black residents, is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him despite threats from the community . At one point he faces a mob intent on lynching his client but refuses to abandon him. Scout unwittingly diffuses the situation. Although Atticus presents a defense that gives a more plausible interpretation of the evidence—that Mayella was attacked by her father, Bob Ewell—Tom is convicted, and he is later killed while trying to escape custody. A character compares his death to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds,” paralleling Atticus’s saying about the mockingbird.

The children, meanwhile, play out their own miniaturized drama of prejudice and superstition as they become interested in Arthur (“Boo”) Radley , a reclusive neighbour who is a local legend . They have their own ideas about him and cannot resist the allure of trespassing on the Radley property. Their speculations thrive on the dehumanization perpetuated by their elders. Atticus, however, reprimands them and tries to encourage a more sensitive attitude. Boo makes his presence felt indirectly through a series of benevolent acts, finally intervening when Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout. Boo kills Ewell, but Heck Tate, the sheriff, believes it is better to say that Ewell’s death occurred when he fell on his own knife, sparing the shy Boo from unwanted attention. Scout agrees, noting that to do otherwise would be “sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird.”

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

To Kill a Mockingbird: Introduction

To kill a mockingbird: plot summary, to kill a mockingbird: detailed summary & analysis, to kill a mockingbird: themes, to kill a mockingbird: quotes, to kill a mockingbird: characters, to kill a mockingbird: symbols, to kill a mockingbird: literary devices, to kill a mockingbird: theme wheel, brief biography of harper lee.

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Historical Context of To Kill a Mockingbird

Other books related to to kill a mockingbird.

  • Full Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
  • When Written: 1950-1960
  • Where Written: New York City and Monroeville, Alabama
  • When Published: 1960
  • Literary Period: Modernism
  • Genre: Bildungsroman; Social Novel
  • Setting: The fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression
  • Climax: The trial of Tom Robinson; or when Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem
  • Antagonist: Bob Ewell; more broadly, racism and mob mentality
  • Point of View: First Person

Extra Credit for To Kill a Mockingbird

“Dill” Capote. The character of Dill is based on Harper Lee’s real-life childhood friend, Truman Capote, who went on to become a national literary star in his own right. He wrote the bestselling true crime book In Cold Blood .

Atticus in Real Life. Harper Lee became close friends with Gregory Peck, the actor who played Atticus in the Academy Award-winning film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird . She remained close with his family after Peck died, and Peck’s grandson is even named Harper after her.

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To Kill a Mockingbird: Book Review, Summary & Analysis

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Introduction: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Book Review, Summary & Analysis

Book:  to kill a mockingbird.

  • Author: Harper Lee
  • Publisher: Harper Collins
  • Publication Year: 1960
  • Binding: Paperback  

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

About the Author: Harper Lee  

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

Excerpts from the original text

There is no need to say everything you know. That's not a lady-besides, people don't like people around them who know more than they do. That will annoy them. No matter how correct you are, you can't change these people. Unless they want to learn, there is no way. You either close your mouth or use their language. —— Quoted from page 153.

Short Comment

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

Book Summary

Book review & analysis.

"The life that has not read this book is really different from the life after reading it." 
  • How to get along with others? 
  • How to handle complex interpersonal relationships in an honest manner? 
  • How to be a friendly but self-persistent person? 

Main Storyline

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

How to get along with others?

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

  • The reason why we don't get along well with a certain person (or a certain type of person) is that we disagree with this person's behavior style, and thus produce an overall negation of this person.
  • If we always look at others from our own perspective, it is difficult to understand why others have such "weird" behavior;
  • "Standing from the point of view of others": It is not simply imagining yourself as the other party, and guessing based on your own experience. It is to "get into someone else's body and wander around", which means that you have to really understand the person's past background and experience. If you still use your own experience to judge what this person is doing, you will not be able to achieve true transposition.
  • If you have not been able to "get into someone else's body and wander around", at least, you should have such a belief in others: "After you finally understand them, you will find that most people are good people. ". This sentence is the last sentence that Father Atticus told Scott in the book. I think it is simply a well-known saying. Before we did not understand other people, at least we can first understand that "other people's actions are justified".

How to deal with dissent?

"Even if you didn't do those pranks, I would still let you read to Mrs. Du Boss to accompany her because I want you to take a good look at her. This is the bravest person I have ever seen. What did she explain? called the real courage. courage gas on hand is not a man with a gun. courage is when you embark on the field before you know you will be Tongzou meal, but you still on the field, and no matter what happens, you Persevere till the end. Most of the time you will fail, but sometimes, you will also succeed."

How to stick to yourself?

"Sometimes, I feel that I am a failure to be a parent, but I am everything they have. When Jim looks up to others, he looks up first. It’s me, I want to live upright so that I can face him calmly..."

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

"You may hear some bad comments in school, but please do one thing for me: raise your head and lower your fists. No matter what others say to you, don't get angry. Try to fight with your head. Don't because We had already failed for a hundred years before that, and though we had no reason to fight for victory."
"Be sensible about despicable things, and when things pass, you can look back with sympathy and understanding, and be grateful for not disappointing people at the time. When most people think they are right and you are wrong Of course, they have the right to think so, and their views are also entitled to be fully respected. But before they can get along with others, they must first get along. There is one thing that cannot follow the principle of conformity, and that is the conscience of people."

Self-photography in the mirror

"Uh, coming out of the court that night, Miss Gates-she walked in front of us when she descended the steps, you must have not seen her-she was talking to Miss Stephenson. I heard her say: It's time to teach them. They are becoming less and less aware of their identities. Will they think that they can marry us in the next step. Jim, a man who hates Hitler so much, is so vicious to the people of his hometown when he turns his face?"

book-review-to-kill-mockingbird-by-harper-lee

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To Kill a Mockingbird

By harper lee.

  • To Kill a Mockingbird Summary

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Alabama during the Depression, and is narrated by the main character, a little girl named Jean Louise "Scout" Finch. Her father, Atticus Finch , is a lawyer with high moral standards. Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill are intrigued by the local rumors about a man named Boo Radley , who lives in their neighborhood but never leaves his house. Legend has it that he once stabbed his father in the leg with a pair of scissors, and he is made out to be a kind of monster. Dill is from Mississippi but spends his summer in Maycomb at a house near the Finch's.

The children are curious to know more about Boo, and during one summer create a mini-drama they enact daily, which tells the events of his life as they know them. Slowly, the children begin moving closer to the Radley house, which is said to be haunted. They try leaving notes for Boo on his windowsill with a fishing pole, but are caught by Atticus, who firmly reprimands them for making fun of a sad man's life. Next, the children try sneaking over to the house at night and looking through its windows. Boo's brother, Nathan Radley, who lives in the house, thinks he hears a prowler and fires his gun. The children run away, but Jem loses his pants in a fence. When he returns in the middle of the night to get them back, they have been neatly folded and the tear from the fence roughly sewn up.

Other mysterious things happen to the Finch children. A certain tree near the Radley house has a hole in which little presents are often left for them, such as pennies, chewing gum, and soap carved figures of a little boy and girl who bear a striking resemblance to Scout and Jem. The children don't know where these gifts are coming from, and when they go to leave a note for the mystery giver, they find that Boo's brother has plugged up the hole with cement. The next winter brings unexpected cold and snow, and Miss Maudie's house catches on fire. While Jem and Scout, shivering, watch the blaze from near the Radley house, someone puts a blanket around Scout without her realizing it. Not until she returns home and Atticus asks her where the blanket came from does she realize that Boo Radley must have put it around her while she was entranced by watching Miss Maudie, her favorite neighbor, and her burning house.

Atticus decides to take on a case involving a black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping a very poor white girl named Mayella Ewell , a member of the notorious Ewell family, who belong to the layer of Maycomb society that people refer to as "trash." The Finch family faces harsh criticism in the heavily racist Maycomb because of Atticus's decision to defend Tom. But, Atticus insists on going through with the case because his conscience could not let him do otherwise. He knows Tom is innocent, and also that he has almost no chance at being acquitted, because the white jury will never believe a black man over a white woman. Despite this, Atticus wants to reveal the truth to his fellow townspeople, expose their bigotry, and encourage them to imagine the possibility of racial equality.

Because Atticus is defending a black man, Scout and Jem find themselves whispered at and taunted, and have trouble keeping their tempers. At a family Christmas gathering, Scout beats up her cloying relative Francis when he accuses Atticus of ruining the family name by being a "nigger-lover". Jem cuts off the tops of an old neighbor's flower bushes after she derides Atticus, and as punishment, has to read out loud to her every day. Jem does not realize until after she dies that he is helping her break her morphine addiction. When revealing this to Jem and Scout, Atticus holds this old woman up as an example of true courage: the will to keep fighting even when you know you can't win.

The time for the trial draws closer, and Atticus's sister Alexandra comes to stay with the family. She is proper and old-fashioned and wants to shape Scout into the model of the Southern feminine ideal, much to Scout's resentment. Dill runs away from his home, where his mother and new father don't seem interested in him, and stays in Maycomb for the summer of Tom's trial. The night before the trial, Tom is moved into the county jail, and Atticus, fearing a possible lynching, stands guard outside the jail door all night. Jem is concerned about him, and the three children sneak into town to find him. A group of men arrive ready to cause some violence to Tom, and threaten Atticus in the process. At first Jem, Scout and Dill stand aside, but when she senses true danger, Scout runs out and begins to speak to one of the men, the father of one of her classmates in school. Her innocence brings the crowd out of their mob mentality, and they leave.

The trial pits the evidence of the white Ewell family against Tom's evidence. According to the Ewells, Mayella asked Tom to do some work for her while her father was out, and Tom came into their house and forcibly beat and raped Mayella until her father appeared and scared him away. Tom's version is that Mayella invited him inside, then threw her arms around him and began to kiss him. Tom tried to push her away. When Bob Ewell arrived, he flew into a rage and beat her, while Tom ran away in fright. According to the sheriff's testimony, Mayella's bruises were on the right side of her face, which means she was most likely punched with a left hand. Tom Robinson's left arm is useless due to an old accident, whereas Mr. Ewell leads with his left. Given the evidence of reasonable doubt, Tom should go free, but after hours of deliberation, the jury pronounces him guilty. Scout, Jem and Dill sneak into the courthouse to see the trial and sit in the balcony with Maycomb's black population. They are stunned at the verdict because to them, the evidence was so clearly in Tom's favor.

Though the verdict is unfortunate, Atticus feels some satisfaction that the jury took so long deciding. Usually, the decision would be made in minutes, because a black man's word would not be trusted. Atticus is hoping for an appeal, but unfortunately Tom tries to escape from his prison and is shot to death in the process. Jem has trouble handling the results of the trial, feeling that his trust in the goodness and rationality of humanity has been betrayed.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ewell threatens Atticus and other people connected with the trial because he feels he was humiliated. He gets his revenge one night while Jem and Scout are walking home from the Halloween play at their school. He follows them home in the dark, then runs at them and attempts to kill them with a large kitchen knife. Jem breaks his arm, and Scout, who is wearing a confining ham shaped wire costume and cannot see what is going on, is helpless throughout the attack. The elusive Boo Radley stabs Mr. Ewell and saves the children. Finally, Scout has a chance to meet the shy and nervous Boo. At the end of this fateful night, the sheriff declares that Mr. Ewell fell on his own knife so Boo, the hero of the situation, won't have to be tried for murder. Scout walks Boo home and imagines how he has viewed the town and observed her, Jem and Dill over the years from inside his home. Boo goes inside, closes the door, and she never sees him again.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for To Kill a Mockingbird is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Discuss the concept of education.

Shortly after the novel begins, Scout starts her first year at school. The educational system in Maycomb leaves much to be desired. Scout is ahead of her classmates because Atticus has taught her to read and write, and Calpurnia has even taught...

How old was Scout when her mother died?

Scout's mother died when she was two years old.

Our mother died when I was two, so I never felt her absence.

Where can I find the literary devices used in each chapter a book?

To find literary devices used in each chapter of "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, you can refer to literary analysis guides, study aids, or academic resources that offer chapter-by-chapter breakdowns. Here are a few places where you might...

Study Guide for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a book written by Harper Lee. The To Kill a Mockingbird study guide contains a biography of Harper Lee, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About To Kill a Mockingbird
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Essays for To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

  • The Impact of Class Structure
  • Justice in To Kill a Mockingbird
  • The Journey Motif in Works of American Literature
  • Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird and Goin' Someplace Special
  • Character Analysis in To Kill A Mockingbird

Lesson Plan for To Kill a Mockingbird

  • About the Author
  • Study Objectives
  • Introduction to To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Bringing in Technology
  • Notes to the Teacher

Wikipedia Entries for To Kill a Mockingbird

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book report of to kill a mockingbird

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'To Kill a Mockingbird' Overview

book report of to kill a mockingbird

  • B.A., English, Rutgers University

To Kill a Mockingbird is a searing portrayal of racial prejudice, justice, and innocence lost in a complex mixture of childish naiveté and mature observation. The novel explores the meaning of justice, the loss of innocence, and the realization that a place can be both a beloved childhood home and a source of evil.

Fast Facts: To Kill a Mockingbird

  • Author : Harper Lee
  • Publisher : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
  • Year Published : 1960
  • Genre : Fiction
  • Type of Work : Novel
  • Original Language : English
  • Themes : Prejudice, justice, innocence
  • Characters : Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, Tom Robinson, Calpurnia
  • Notable Adaptation : 1962 film adaptation starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch

Plot Summary

Scout Finch lives with her father, a lawyer and widower by the name of Atticus, and her brother, a young boy named Jem. The first part of To Kill a Mockingbird tells of one summer. Jem and Scout play, make new friends, and first learn of a shadowy figure by the name of Boo Radley, who lives in a neighboring house yet is never seen.

A young Black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman. Atticus takes on the case, despite the vitriol this arouses in the largely white, racist townsfolk. When the time of the trial comes around, Atticus proves that the girl that Tom Robinson is accused of raping actually seduced him, and that the injuries to her face were caused by her father, angry that she had tried to sleep with a Black man. The all-white jury nevertheless convicts Robinson and he is later killed by a mob while trying to escape from jail.

The girl's father, who holds a grudge against Atticus because of some of the things he said in court, waylays Scout and Jem as they walk home one night. They are saved by the mysterious Boo, who disarms their attacker and kills him.

Major Characters

Scout Finch. Jean Louise "Scout" Finch is the narrator and main character of the novel. Scout is a "tomboy" who rejects traditional feminine roles and trappings. Scout initially believes that there is always a clear right and wrong in every situation; as she grows older, she begins to understand more about the world around her and begins to value reading and education more.

Atticus Finch. Scout’s widower father is an attorney. Atticus is a bit of an iconoclast. He values education and indulges his children, trusting their judgment despite their young age. He is an intelligent, moral man who believes strongly in the rule of law and the necessity of blind justice.

Jem Finch. Jeremy Atticus "Jem" Finch is Scout’s older brother. He is protective of his status and often uses his superior age to force Scout to do things his way. He has a rich imagination and an energetic approach to life, but displays difficulty dealing with other people who do not rise to his standard.

Boo Radley. A troubled recluse who lives next door to the Finches (but never leaves the house), Boo Radley is the subject of many rumors. Boo naturally fascinates the Finch children, and displays affection and kindness towards them, ultimately rescuing them from danger.

Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is a Black man who supports his family by working as a field hand despite having a crippled left arm. He is charged with the rape of a white woman, and Atticus defends him.

Major Themes

Maturation. Scout and Jem are frequently confused about the motivations and reasoning of the adults around them. Lee explores the way that growing up and maturing into adults makes the world clearer while also less magical and more difficult, ultimately connecting racism with childish fears that adults ought not to experience.

Prejudice. Lee explores the effects of prejudice of all kinds—racism, classism, and sexism. Lee makes it clear that racism is inextricably linked to economics, politics, and self-image. Sexism is explored in the novel through Scout and her constant battle to engage in behaviors she finds interesting instead of "appropriate" behaviors for a girl.

Justice and Morality. In the earlier parts of the novel, Scout believes that morality and justice are the same thing. Tom Robinson’s trial and her observation of her father’s experiences teach her that there is often a stark difference between what is right and what is legal.

Literary Style

The novel utilizes subtly layered narration; it can be easy to forget that the story is actually being told by the adult Jenna Louise and not the 6-year old Scout. Lee also restricts the point-of-view to Scout's direct observations, creating an air of mystery for the reader that mimics the childish sense of not quite understanding what all the adults are up to.

About the Author

Harper Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. She published To Kill a Mockingbird in 1960 to instant acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. She then worked with her friend Truman Capote on what would become Capote’s "nonfiction novel," In Cold Blood . Lee retreated from public life afterwards, granting few interviews and making almost no public appearances—and publishing almost no new material. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 89.

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, 1961

Book Review - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Author: Harper Lee

Publisher: J. B. Lippincott & Co.

Genre: Bildungsroman, Historical Fiction

First Publication: 1960

Language:  English

Major Characters: Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, Arthur Radley, Mayella Ewell, Aunt Alexandra, Bob Ewell, Calpurnia (housekeeper), Tom Robinson, Miss Maudie Atkinson, Judge John Taylor, Dill Harris, Heck Tate, Stephanie Crawford

Setting Place: The fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression

Theme:  Community and Convention, Female Sexuality and Friendship, Faith, Suffering, and God’s Will, Science and Superstition, Justice and Judgment

Narrator:  First person

Book Summary: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes readers to the roots of human behavior – to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos.

Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Book Review - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

With endless books and infinitely more to be written in the future, it is rare occasion that I take the time to reread a novel. And this time it’s To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a timeless classic. The first time I read this I was much, much younger and I remember loving it then. Over fifteen years later, it still held so much for me – wonderful language and characters that I never forgot about, profound themes explored , and relevancy even so many years later. Harper Lee is one of the best female authors.

The story in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is told from the point of view of Scout (Jean-Louise Finch), a six year old girl , through various events that happen in the town of Maycomb and in particular, the court case of Tom Robinson as her father Atticus Finch acts as Tom’s defence lawyer. Tom, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman, has to endure multiple racial attacks. Atticus, widely described as the “most enduring fictional image of racial heroism”, describes the events to Scout so that she sees that all people should be treated equally.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

The narrator of this story is young tomboy Jean Louise (Scout), and her observations of Maycomb and people’s behavior are simple, honest, and visually very rich. I had no problem picturing Scout, Jem and Dill’s childish efforts to draw Boo Radley out of his house, or Calpurnia taking the kids to a colored church.

But when, after 128 pages, the court case begins and the plot really becomes intriguing, you immediately feel a rise in tension and excitement. Here Jem and Atticus become the main characters instead of Scout because they are more aware of the risks and importance of the case, although Scout’s moment with the mob was heartwrenchingly beautiful in it’s innocence.

“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.”

The last part of the book was less tense but never dull: it was important to show the aftermath and the effects of the case on different class – and races – of people to convey the impact of Atticus’ actions. Because back in 1935 and even now, in our current political situation, standing up for what’s right while the majority is against you, is an incredible brave and difficult thing to do.

One thing especially about this story that stood out to me, are the interesting gender roles in this book. We have Atticus who isn’t only presented as an amazing father but also as a great male character, because he’s patient, courteous, clever…but not traditionally masculine. In contrast with Bob Ewell, the main antagonist, Atticus isn’t physically strong, doesn’t use strong language, and hates violence (example: he keeps his shooting skills a secret from his children).

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

His sister, aunt Alexandra, is a very traditional female figure who wants Scout to behave more ‘lady like’, and because Scout doesn’t like her (at first), we as readers dislike her too. Acting as her opposites are Calpurnia and Miss Maudie, who neither show traditional feminine characteristics like politeness and charm, but both are presented as good and right.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a well-loved book for many good reasons, but I was very surprised by its diverse male and female characters, who make this story even richer than it already is.

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  • Common Sense Says
  • Parents Say 27 Reviews
  • Kids Say 169 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Barbara Schultz

Classic novel examines American racism and justice.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Harper Lee's 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird addresses the terrible impact of racism in America through a little girl's point of view. The story takes place in Depression-era Alabama, in the fictional town of Maycomb, which Lee patterned after her own hometown of Monroeville. The…

Why Age 12+?

A drunk breaks a kid's arm. A man is killed with a knife. Atticus and his childr

Frequent use of "damn," one "bastard," and one "son-of-a-bitch." The "N" word an

Mr. Raymond drinks Coke (though others think it's liquor) and gives some to Dill

Mrs. Dubose is secretly addicted to morphine. A man named Dolphus Raymond is bel

Any Positive Content?

Atticus Finch tells Scout, "You never really understand a person until you consi

Author Harper Lee offers a snapshot of small-town life in Alabama during the 193

Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout's father, courageously defends Tom Robinson in a to

Violence & Scariness

A drunk breaks a kid's arm. A man is killed with a knife. Atticus and his children face down a lynch mob in the middle of the night. Town gossip includes a story about a man stabbing a family member with scissors. A rabid dog is shot in the street. The trial at the center of the story involves a man accused of raping and beating a woman. A prisoner is shot trying to escape.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Frequent use of "damn," one "bastard," and one "son-of-a-bitch." The "N" word and "('N'-word)-lover" is used liberally by some residents of Maycomb as if it's perfectly commonplace, and by others as a weapon.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Mr. Raymond drinks Coke (though others think it's liquor) and gives some to Dill. Jem eats a Tootsie Roll.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Mrs. Dubose is secretly addicted to morphine. A man named Dolphus Raymond is believed to be the town drunk, because he drinks something hidden in a paper bag, but it turns out to be a bottle of Coca-Cola. Bob Ewell is said to spend his relief checks on green whiskey, letting his children go hungry. Scout smells stale whiskey on a man's breath.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Atticus Finch tells Scout, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view -- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

Educational Value

Author Harper Lee offers a snapshot of small-town life in Alabama during the 1930s, including views about race and some information about events taking place in Europe leading up to world War II. Readers will also learn about 1930s gender roles, education, and divisions created by economic status.

Positive Role Models

Atticus Finch, Jem and Scout's father, courageously defends Tom Robinson in a town where racial prejudice is firmly entrenched. He risks not only public disapproval but also his own safety to make sure Tom receives as fair a trial as possible. He imparts many lessons to his children verbally, but his actions speak loudest, teaching them empathy, and to judge people by their actions rather than by the color of their skin.

Parents need to know that Harper Lee 's 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird addresses the terrible impact of racism in America through a little girl's point of view. The story takes place in Depression-era Alabama, in the fictional town of Maycomb, which Lee patterned after her own hometown of Monroeville. The narrator, 6-year-old Scout Finch, and her brother Jem and their friend Dill play children's games, but they also have a clear view of the adults in their world. Their youth and innocence contrasts with the prejudice, cruelty, and poverty they often observe. There's some threatened and real violence in this Pulitzer Prize winner: A man breaks a child's arm; a rabid dog is shot and killed; there is a stabbing death; the children and their father, Atticus Finch, confront a lynch mob; and the court case at the center of the novel involves a Black man who's been accused of raping and beating a white woman. Some of this violence is whiskey-fueled, as well. Profanity includes "damn," "bastard," and "son-of-a-bitch." The "N" word and "('N'-word)-lover" is used liberally by some residents of Maycomb as if it's perfectly commonplace, and by others as a weapon. The children in the novel learn powerful lessons about the impact of poverty and prejudice, and the importance of empathy, and so will those who read this classic. The 1962 film version starring Gregory Peck is one of those rare films that truly does justice to the original book. The audiobook read by Sissy Spacek is also note-perfect.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

  • Parents say (27)
  • Kids say (169)

Based on 27 parent reviews

So many levels to enjoy this book

What's the story.

Growing up in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, Scout Finch -- the narrator of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD -- and her brother, Jem, are being raised by their widowed father, Atticus. Some interesting characters live on their street, both seen and unseen. Dill Harris comes to stay with Scout and Jem's next-door neighbor Rachel Haverford every summer, and the three children develop a close friendship. Elderly Mrs. Dubose shouts insults at the neighbors from her porch. Miss Maudie offers the children friendly advice and baked goods. The young Finches are scared of the Radleys' house, as creepy stories are circulated about Mr. Radley and his sons, especially Arthur, also known as Boo. The children enjoy re-enacting make-believe versions of the stories they've heard about Boo. Scout goes through some growing pains in the story, as her first day of school goes poorly and Jem becomes less willing to play with his little sister. Atticus encourages his daughter to exhibit empathy and patience with others, and he warns both his children that tough times may be coming to their little family; they may hear things that upset them, and he wants them to keep cool. The children learn that Atticus, an attorney, has taken the case of a Black man who has been accused of raping and beating a White woman. The events that unfold surrounding the trial and its aftermath teach the children a lot about their father's inner strength and wisdom, and the effects of racism and poverty on their community.

Is It Any Good?

Told through the eyes of a child, Harper Lee's magnum opus may seem to take a simplistic point of view, but Scout's world is rich and complex. And the author doesn't stint when it comes to the realities Black people face in a racist society -- and the pressures that poverty puts on the Maycomb community. All of that said, Lee's story is about a White family and is told from a White perspective. The reader learns much about the history of the Finch family and very little about Tom Robinson's life other than what's revealed through Scout and her father. This is a beautifully written book, with important lessons to teach, but readers should also be encouraged to read great writing by Black Americans, such as Richard Wright and Toni Morrison .

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the prejudice exhibited by some characters in To Kill a Mockingbird . Could this story take place today? How have American attitudes about race changed since the 1930s? How have they remained the same?

This story is told through the eyes of a little girl. What does the author achieve by making Scout the narrator? How does this affect the way the story unfolds?

What does Boo Radley represent in the story? Why do you think the children enjoy re-creating stories they've heard about him?

Book Details

  • Author : Harper Lee
  • Genre : Literary Fiction
  • Topics : Activism , Brothers and Sisters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
  • Book type : Fiction
  • Publisher : Time Warner Books
  • Publication date : July 11, 1960
  • Publisher's recommended age(s) : 11 - 18
  • Number of pages : 281
  • Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
  • Last updated : August 11, 2020

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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What to read next.

Black Boy Poster Image

The Bluest Eye

The Color Purple book cover: illustration of two Black women's faces in different skin tones, one resting her chin on the other's right shoulder on a pale pink background

The Color Purple

Books about racism and social justice, tv about racism and social justice, related topics.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — To Kill a Mockingbird — A Book Report for To Kill a Mockingbird

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A Book Report for to Kill a Mockingbird

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Themes of racial injustice and morality, character development and loss of innocence, narrative style and symbolism, bibliography.

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20 To Kill a Mockingbird Discussion Questions

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a haunting exploration of innocence lost amidst a society grappling with deep-rooted racial prejudice.

Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, the novel follows young Scout Finch as she navigates the complexities of growing up. Through her innocent eyes, we witness the stark realities of racial injustice and the enduring power of empathy.

Published in 1960, the book rapidly ascended to literary acclaim, culminating in the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. Its subsequent adaptation into an Oscar-winning film solidified its status as a cultural touchstone. Beyond its captivating narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird offers profound insights into themes of morality, courage, and the human condition.

Join us as we dive into the complexities of this timeless classic through a series of thought-provoking discussion questions. Prepare to be challenged, moved, and inspired as we explore the enduring relevance of Harper Lee’s masterpiece.

And if you like this classic, don’t forget that a sequel Go Set a Watchman was released in 2015. We have a set of questions for that as well. 

book report of to kill a mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird Discussion Questions

  • In the novel, the character of Atticus Finch is often considered a symbol of moral integrity and justice. How does Lee depict Atticus as a role model for his children, Jem and Scout, and what impact does his unwavering belief in justice have on the larger community of Maycomb?
  • One of the recurring themes in the novel is the exploration of racial prejudice and injustice. Discuss how Harper Lee portrays the racial tensions and discrimination prevalent in 1930s Alabama through various characters, incidents, and the trial of Tom Robinson. How does this depiction resonate with the readers in understanding the historical context and the broader implications of racism?
  • The relationship between Scout, Jem, and their enigmatic neighbor Boo Radley undergoes a transformation throughout the book. Analyze the factors that contribute to their changing perceptions of Boo, from initial fear and curiosity to empathy and understanding. How does their interaction with Boo challenge their preconceived notions about outsiders and the nature of courage?
  • Harper Lee skillfully employs the symbol of the mockingbird throughout the narrative. Discuss the significance of the mockingbird as a symbol of innocence and its thematic resonance in relation to various characters, including Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and even Scout herself. How does this symbol shed light on the moral dilemmas faced by the characters and the broader themes of the novel?
  • The character of Calpurnia occupies a unique position in Maycomb society as the Finch family’s African American housekeeper. Explore the complexities of Calpurnia’s role, considering her loyalty to the Finch family, her community ties, and her role as a bridge between the white and black communities. How does Calpurnia’s character contribute to the exploration of race and social dynamics in the novel?
  • The trial of Tom Robinson is a pivotal event in the novel, bringing issues of racial inequality to the forefront. Discuss the strategies employed by Atticus during the trial to challenge the prosecution’s case and expose the flaws in the Maycomb justice system. How do these courtroom scenes highlight the power dynamics and prejudices that exist within the town?
  • Maycomb’s social hierarchy is another important aspect explored in the book. Analyze the divisions within the community, such as the distinctions between the Finch family, the Cunninghams, and the Ewells. How do these class differences shape the characters’ attitudes, behaviors, and interactions? What commentary does Lee offer about the impact of social status on individual lives?
  • Aunt Alexandra, Atticus’s sister, is a conservative and traditional Southern woman who strongly believes in the importance of family reputation. Examine Alexandra’s influence on Scout and Jem, considering how her presence affects their upbringing, their understanding of their place in society, and their views on race and class. How does Alexandra’s character contribute to the novel’s exploration of societal expectations and individual growth?
  • Scout’s growth and coming-of-age journey is a central narrative thread in To Kill a Mockingbird. Analyze the events and relationships that contribute to Scout’s maturation process, from her interactions with Boo Radley and Calpurnia to her observations of the injustices and prejudices in Maycomb. How does Scout’s perspective on the world evolve throughout the novel, and what lessons does she learn about empathy, understanding, and the complexities of human nature?
  • Throughout the book, Lee explores the concept of empathy and its role in combating prejudice and injustice. Discuss the instances in which characters display empathy or lack thereof, such as Atticus, Miss Maudie, and even the children themselves. How does Lee convey the importance of empathy in fostering positive change and challenging societal norms?
  • Tom Robinson’s trial takes place during a time of intense racial tension in Maycomb. Investigate the responses of different characters to the trial and their motivations for taking a stance, whether supportive or discriminatory. How does Lee illustrate the consequences of standing up against injustice in a community that is resistant to change?
  • The character of Bob Ewell embodies the worst aspects of Maycomb’s society. Analyze the motivations and actions of Bob Ewell, considering his racism, his abusive behavior, and his role in the trial of Tom Robinson. How does Ewell’s character contribute to the exploration of the novel’s themes of prejudice, power, and the destructive nature of ignorance?
  • The Radley House serves as a haunting presence throughout the novel, capturing the imagination of Jem, Scout, and Dill. Discuss the symbolic significance of the Radley House, its role as a catalyst for curiosity and fear, and the eventual revelation of Boo Radley’s true nature. How does the Radley House contribute to the novel’s exploration of the power of rumors, gossip, and the fear of the unknown?
  • Mayella Ewell, the accuser in Tom Robinson’s trial, is a complex and tragic character. Examine Mayella’s motivations for accusing Tom Robinson, considering her social and familial circumstances. How does Mayella’s character highlight the effects of poverty, racism, and patriarchal oppression on individuals who are marginalized and voiceless?
  • Atticus’s famous quote, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” is a recurring theme in the book. Discuss the instances in which characters demonstrate the ability to see beyond their own perspectives and empathize with others. How does Atticus’s philosophy influence the overall narrative and the characters’ development?
  • The town of Maycomb itself is almost a character in its own right, with its richly described streets, neighborhoods, and inhabitants. Analyze the significance of Maycomb as a microcosm of Southern society, considering its attitudes towards race, class, and tradition. How does the setting of the town contribute to the novel’s exploration of societal dynamics and the individual struggles faced by its residents?
  • The relationship between Scout and her brother Jem is a central aspect of the story. Explore the complexities of their sibling bond, considering their similarities, differences, and the growth they experience together. How does their relationship reflect the larger themes of the novel, such as the loss of innocence, the exploration of moral courage, and the power of childhood friendships?
  • Miss Maudie Atkinson, a neighbor and friend of the Finch family, serves as a moral compass for Scout and Jem. Examine Miss Maudie’s character and her role in the novel, considering her wisdom, resilience, and her progressive views on life and justice. How does Miss Maudie’s character contribute to the overall theme of morality and the fight against prejudice?
  • Harper Lee uses various narrative techniques, including Scout’s first-person perspective and the use of flashback, to tell the story. Discuss the impact of these narrative choices on the reader’s understanding of the events, the development of the characters, and the exploration of the novel’s themes. How do these techniques enhance the overall reading experience and contribute to the novel’s enduring legacy?
  • To Kill a Mockingbird is often praised for its exploration of the complexities of human nature and the duality of good and evil. Analyze the characters of Atticus, Scout, and Boo Radley as representations of these dualities, considering their struggles with moral choices, their capacity for kindness, and their encounters with injustice. How does the exploration of these dualities deepen our understanding of the human condition and the broader messages of the novel?

If you liked this set of questions, here are a few other options for you to explore. 

  • The Magnolia Palace Book Club Questions
  • The Dictionary of Lost Words Book Club Questions
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  • The Housemaid Book Club Questions

Historical Context

To kill a mockingbird, by harper lee.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee was apt in timing as it addressed the powerful issue of race at a time in history when serious conversations and actions about race were taking place across the world.

Onyekachi Osuji

Article written by Onyekachi Osuji

B.A. in Public Administration and certified in Creative Writing (Fiction and Non-Fiction)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in a 1930s Southern small town in Alabama, USA, but was written in the late 1950s and published in 1960. Both the era of the novel’s setting and the timing of its writing and publication combine to give it a profound historical context.

The Jim Crow Era

The Jim Crow era is a period ranging from the late 1880s to the mid-1960s when local and state laws, mostly in Southern states of the US, enforced racial segregation in all public facilities and stringent voting requirements that disenfranchised some poor white people and a majority of the black population.

The state built separate schools for blacks and whites, separate compartments in public transport vehicles, black people were not allowed into hotels and banks for white people, and the residential area for blacks was separated from that of whites. These Southern states rationalized this discriminatory policy with the phrase ”seperate but equal”, but in actuality, the public facilities allotted to the blacks were significantly inferior to those for the whites.

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the Jim Crow laws are still in effect in the setting, and an indication of this is in Jem and Scout’s cluelessness about the lives of black people when they follow Calpurnia to the Black people’s church and in the decidedly secluded part of town meant for blacks only.

The Great Depression

The Great Depression was a period of severe economic depression that began in the United States and spread across the world from the year 1929 to 1939.

In To Kill a Mockingbird , the narrator remarks that everyone is poor but in relation to others , the farmers are the most impoverished by the economic depression. The Cunningham family, who are farmers, are described to be so poor that they cannot afford to feed well or to pay for legal services. This description is realistic because farmers were badly hit by the depression as crop prices fell by about 60 percent during the period.

Nazi Germany

To Kill a Mockingbird makes allusions to the totalitarian rule and antisemitic policies of Adolf Hitler in Germany. Adolph Hitler became the ruler of Germany in 1933 and ruled until his suicide in 1945.

Hitler’s rule in Germany is used as a backdrop to show the extent of hypocrisy, bigotry, and multiple moral standards some Southern white people have when it comes to race and racism. For instance, we see the character Miss Gates passionately condemning Hitler’s antisemitic actions of the Adolph Hitler dictatorship but passionately supporting injustice and discrimination against blacks in her own community.

The Civil Rights Movement

The writing and publication of the racially-themed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee aptly coincided with the uprising against racial discrimination and the Civil Rights Movement that was gaining momentum in the Southern States of the US. The 1950s and 1960s had the South becoming an epicenter of civil disobedience, nonviolent resistance, protests, and riots.

There was the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education Topeka that pronounced school segregation unconstitutional, the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, the 1956 Sugar Bowl riots, the emergence of the charismatic black freedom fighter Martin Luther King Jr, and his leadership of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the late 1950s and other civil unrests campaigning for the abolishment of racial discrimination. All these events provided an apt historical context for the reception of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird .

Why are the Cunninghams poor?

The Cunninghams in To Kill a Mockingbird are poor because they are small-town farmers who were adversely affected by the economic hardships of the Great Depression.

Why is To Kill a Mockingbird famous?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is famous for being a well-told story that exposes the evils of discrimination and cruelty in a masterful narration from a child’s perspective. To Kill a Mockingbird ‘s 1962 film adaptation with the same title also helped make the novel more famous.

What does Atticus mean when he says Mr Cunningham has blind spots?

Atticus was referring to Mr Cunningham’s racial prejudice. Atticus believed that Mr Cunningham’s racist actions were a product of conditioning from the racist community to which he belongs and also of his ignorance.

Is To Kill a Mockingbird a true story?

No, To Kill a Mockingbird is not a true story. It is a fictional novel, written by Harper Lee. The novel was published in the year 1960.

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Onyekachi Osuji

About Onyekachi Osuji

Onyekachi was already an adult when she discovered the rich artistry in the storytelling craft of her people—the native Igbo tribe of Africa. This connection to her roots has inspired her to become a Literature enthusiast with an interest in the stories of Igbo origin and books from writers of diverse backgrounds. She writes stories of her own and works on Literary Analysis in various genres.

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Harper Lee, “To Kill a Mockingbird”

First published in 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is considered an American classic and won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature. Based loosely on Lee’s own childhood experiences, the novel takes place in the Deep South during the Great Depression. It is a coming-of-age story for the protagonist Scout Finch, a intelligent and tomboy who is six years old at the start of the novel. The two themes most central to the novel are racial inequality and the loss of innocence. The pivotal event of the novel is the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping a white girl. Scout’s lawyer father Atticus is assigned to defend Tom Robinson. Despite providing ample reasoning and evidence that Robinson is innocent, Atticus loses the case and Robinson is shot dead while trying to escape jail. The novel’s title comes from a conversation between Atticus and Scout where Atticus states that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they simply sing their song and never harm others. The mockingbird is used as a symbol for Robinson, who was innocent and never hurt anyone, yet was shot dead. This analogy is also used to describe Boo Radley, a recluse that befriends Scout and her brother Jem and later saves their lives.

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most frequently challenged books in the US due to its themes of rape and use of profanity and racial slurs. While numerous attempts have been made to ban the novel since its publication, two successful cases of banning have occurred within the past three years. In 2017, the novel was removed from 8th-grade classrooms in Biloxi, Mississippi due to a complaint from a parent citing the use of the N-word and the fear that the class’ reaction to the word may negatively affect her daughter. After protests from free speech advocates, the novel was re-added to the list of optional readings. However, parental permission was required to read it. The second case occurred in 2018 at schools in Duluth, Minnesota, where copies of both To Kill a Mockingbird and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were removed from the classroom. Unlike the previous case, the book was banned due to the accumulation of complaints over the years. Free speech groups are calling for the restoration of both novels but no changes have yet occurred.

book report of to kill a mockingbird

About the Author

Harper Lee was an American novelist best known for her work, To Kill a Mockingbird , where Lee’s own experiences growing up in the Deep South heavily inspired the events of the novel. Despite the enormous success of her first work, Lee did not publish any further works for years and remained largely hidden from the public eye. It was not until 2015 that To a Set a Watchman , a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird , and the original manuscript for it, was published. Lee died February 19, 2016, at the age of 89.

Further Readings

National Endowment for the Arts page on the novel and Harper Lee https://www.arts.gov/national-initiatives/nea-big-read/to-kill-a-mockingbird

ALA’s list of challenged books, including information on To Kill a Mockingbird http://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/classics

Washington Post article on the 2017 Biloxi banning https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/10/15/the-ironic-enduring-legacy-of-banning-to-kill-a-mockingbird-for-racist-language/

Independent article on the 2018 Duluth banning https://www.independent.co.uk/schools-us-ban-books-kill-mockingbird-huckleberry-finn-minnestota-district-racial-slurs-a8201416.html

book report of to kill a mockingbird

  • Literature & Fiction
  • Genre Fiction
  • Coming of Age

book report of to kill a mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep south - and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred, available now for the first time as a digital audiobook.

One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than 40 languages, sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the 20th century by librarians across the country. A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father - a crusading local lawyer - risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

  • Part of series To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Listening Length 12 hours and 17 minutes
  • Author Harper Lee
  • Narrator Sissy Spacek
  • Audible release date July 8, 2014
  • Language English
  • Publisher Caedmon
  • ASIN B00K1HPPXO
  • Version Unabridged
  • Program Type Audiobook
  • See all details

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Product details

Listening Length 12 hours and 17 minutes
Author
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Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 08, 2014
Publisher
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00K1HPPXO
Best Sellers Rank #294 in Audible Books & Originals ( )
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Customers find the book amazing, classic, and well-written. They praise the prose as superb, remarkable, and perfectly narrated. Readers describe the story as heartwarming, inviting contemplation on timeless themes, and showing true meaning of family and bravery. They appreciate the wonderful characters and fascinating study of human characters. They say it's decent for the price and a great addition to a new personal library. Customers also mention the pace is profoundly moving and engaging.

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Customers find the book amazing, classic, and well-written. They say it's a sheer pleasure to read and a profound lesson. Readers also mention the courthouse scenes during the trial are brilliant and evoke emotion.

"...For me, that is why To Kill A Mockingbird is the great American novel . It spans the gap of generations, and through Scout’s eyes, looks into our soul." Read more

"...The scenes leading up to and within the courthouse during the trial are brilliant and evoke so much emotion as you "climb into another's skin and..." Read more

"...I rate 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with five stars for its masterful storytelling , poignant exploration of human nature, and its unwavering impact on..." Read more

"...From a sad (Jim Crow south) but also simpler time. Well worth reading again ." Read more

Customers find the prose superb, riveting, and remarkable. They say the book is perfectly narrated and has much poetry on every page. Readers also mention the author has a sharp but warm command of the Southern vernacular. Additionally, they say the book is easy to read and the narrator is unforgettable.

"...The prose is superb . The story is engaging and riveting...." Read more

"...The writing is so vivid and the characters really come alive. Your heart wants one verdict even though your head knows it's going to be another...." Read more

"...While the book tackles weighty themes, it does so with grace and subtlety , inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of life and the intricacies of..." Read more

"...Lee has such a fluid prose that makes for excellent storytelling, especially through the coming-of-age narrative of Scout, and has a knack for..." Read more

Customers find the book thought-provoking, meaningful, and full of life lessons. They say it moves them, inspires them, and offers space for reflection. Readers also mention the story creates a world that makes them have sympathy for the carricters.

"...The story is engaging and riveting. There are moments that will make you smile , others that will make you angry and some that might bring tears to..." Read more

"...and within the courthouse during the trial are brilliant and evoke so much emotion as you "climb into another's skin and walk around in it"...." Read more

"...Its enduring relevance and impact lie in its ability to engage readers across generations, inviting contemplation on timeless themes such as justice..." Read more

"It has been a few years since I read this classic, thought provoking book . From a sad (Jim Crow south) but also simpler time...." Read more

Customers find the story moving, inviting contemplation on timeless themes such as justice, empathy, and bravery. They say it shows the true meaning of family and bravery. Readers also mention the book is a study of human nature and the best novel for teaching empathy. They appreciate the captivating, hilarious, and touching stories.

"...in its ability to engage readers across generations, inviting contemplation on timeless themes such as justice, empathy, and the struggle between..." Read more

"...Harper Lee created a wonderful work that incorporated a wide range of potent themes , wrapping class systems, gender roles, Southern manners and..." Read more

"...She sees Atticus as a racist and feels deceived. The confrontation is realistic ...." Read more

"...statement regarding racial equality and unequivocal respect for all living things (Jem even adopts a stance of not even crushing insects) that is..." Read more

Customers find the characters wonderful and fascinating. They also say the book provides an interesting view of women.

"...The writing is so vivid and the characters really come alive . Your heart wants one verdict even though your head knows it's going to be another...." Read more

"...the coming-of-age narrative of Scout, and has a knack for creating exquisite characters that have left their immortal mark in the halls of..." Read more

"...This book is very good and you end up getting very fond of the characters it almost seems that your growing up with them...." Read more

"...Scout and her older brother Jem are completely natural characters , recognizable to all of us who remember our own childhoods...." Read more

Customers find the book decent for the price. They say it's a great addition to their personal libraries and they enjoy the perspective of Scout.

"...the quality is great and it was the cheapest version sooo" Read more

" great price . great quality." Read more

"I got the title that I was looking for at a great price . A very good book!" Read more

"Good quality, good price , on time - thank you 😊..." Read more

Customers find the book profoundly moving, engaging, and thought-provoking. They say it completely transports them to its time and place. Readers also mention the book is a fast read that maintains a wonderful flow.

"...Just know that it is a gripping story with a conclusion that keeps you on the edge of your seat before Lee allows you to take a breath in the final..." Read more

"...Harper Lee's storytelling is at once compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving ...." Read more

"...This book was way ahead of its time and I am glad I decided over 20 years later to read it again." Read more

"..."us" as a society (not just in the 1930s but even today), moves me , inspires me,Possibly the best novel ever written." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the humor of the book. Some find it funny, sweet, and entertaining, while others say it's boring and disheartening from beginning to end.

"...sense of all the hustle and bustle around her, and this creates an incredible ironic effect where there are large events going on that the reader..." Read more

"...I wouldn’t be reading this. Boring as hell ." Read more

"...to the audiobook this time and followed along, and found it so much more enjoyable ." Read more

"...There's a lot of funny stuff about education and John Dewey...." Read more

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BOOK To Kill a Mockingbird Lettering Set Instant Display Title Colourful Whole Alphabet, Letters etc

BOOK To Kill a Mockingbird Lettering Set Instant Display Title Colourful Whole Alphabet, Letters etc

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Visual aid/Display

Classroom Resources, Displays, Lettering Sets and Much More!

Last updated

30 September 2024

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BOOK To Kill a Mockingbird Lettering Set Instant Display Title Colourful Whole Alphabet, Letters etc Novel by Harper Lee

Beautiful and updated lettering set for your classroom display.

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IMAGES

  1. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird by Sergel (Original)

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  2. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

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  3. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird First Edition Issue Points

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  4. To Kill of a Mockingbird Book Report/Review Example

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  5. To Kill a Mockingbird Plot Summary (pertaining to novel

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  6. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Book Summary

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COMMENTS

  1. To Kill a Mockingbird

    To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. The protagonist is Jean Louise ("Scout") Finch, an intelligent though unconventional girl who ages from six to nine years old during the course of the novel. She is raised with her brother, Jeremy Atticus ("Jem"), by their widowed ...

  2. To Kill a Mockingbird Summary

    Introduction. To Kill a Mockingbird is a groundbreaking novel written by Harper Lee and published in America in 1960. The novel was one of the first of it's kind to deal with the subjects of racial inequality and rape and is still widely read in schools to this day. Harper Lee wrote the book based off of an incident that happened in her small ...

  3. To Kill a Mockingbird

    Book Summary. To Kill a Mockingbird is primarily a novel about growing up under extraordinary circumstances in the 1930s in the Southern United States. The story covers a span of three years, during which the main characters undergo significant changes. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and their father Atticus in the fictitious town of ...

  4. To Kill a Mockingbird

    281. To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by the American author Harper Lee. It was published in July 1960 and became instantly successful. In the United States, it is widely read in high schools and middle schools. To Kill a Mockingbird has become a classic of modern American literature; a year after its release, it won the Pulitzer Prize.

  5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Plot Summary

    To Kill a Mockingbird Summary. In the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, in the middle of the Great Depression, six-year-old Scout Finch lives with her older brother, Jem, and her widowed father, Atticus. Atticus is a lawyer and makes enough to keep the family comfortably out of poverty, but he works long days.

  6. To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide

    Historical Context of To Kill a Mockingbird. In 1931, nine black teenage boys were accused of rape by two white girls. The trials of the boys lasted six years, with convictions, reversals, and numerous retrials. These trials were given the name The Scottsboro Trials, made national headlines, and drastically intensified the debate about race and ...

  7. To Kill a Mockingbird: To Kill a Mockingbird Book Summary & Study Guide

    Use this CliffsNotes To Kill a Mockingbird Study Guide today to ace your next test! Get free homework help on Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird: book summary, chapter summary and analysis, quotes, essays, and character analysis courtesy of CliffsNotes. In To Kill a Mockingbird , author Harper Lee uses memorable characters to explore Civil Rights and racism in the segregated southern United ...

  8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Summary

    Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose, a mean old lady that lives two houses away from Atticus's house sees Jem and Scout and begins to taunt them for their father's legal defense of a black man. In a fit of rage, Jem destroys the flowers in her front yard. Atticus finds out and instructs Jem to go and apologize to Mrs Dubose.

  9. To Kill a Mockingbird: Book Review, Summary & Analysis

    Introduction: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Book Review, Summary & Analysis. "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel—a black man charged with the rape of a white girl.

  10. To Kill a Mockingbird Summary

    To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Alabama during the Depression, and is narrated by the main character, a little girl named Jean Louise "Scout" Finch. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer with high moral standards.Scout, her brother Jem, and their friend Dill are intrigued by the local rumors about a man named Boo Radley, who lives in their neighborhood but never leaves his house.

  11. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' Study Guide

    Updated on January 29, 2020. To Kill a Mockingbird is a searing portrayal of racial prejudice, justice, and innocence lost in a complex mixture of childish naiveté and mature observation. The novel explores the meaning of justice, the loss of innocence, and the realization that a place can be both a beloved childhood home and a source of evil.

  12. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    It is a classic that exposes the folly and injustice of racism in the Deep South through the lens of childhood innocence. About the Book. Protagonist: "Scout" Atticus Finch. Publication Date: 1960. Genre: Classic, Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction. Rating: 4.7/5. Explore To Kill a Mockingbird. Introduction.

  13. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    Genre: Bildungsroman. "It is a well-loved book for many good reasons, but I was very surprised by its diverse male and female characters, who make this story even richer than it already is." Title: To Kill a Mockingbird. Author: Harper Lee. Publisher: J. B. Lippincott & Co. Genre: Bildungsroman, Historical Fiction. First Publication: 1960.

  14. To Kill a Mockingbird Book Review

    Parents need to know that Harper Lee's 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird addresses the terrible impact of racism in America through a little girl's point of view. The story takes place in Depression-era Alabama, in the fictional town of Maycomb, which Lee patterned after her own hometown of Monroeville. The….

  15. A Book Report for to Kill a Mockingbird

    Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that explores themes of racial injustice, morality, and the loss of innocence. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s, the story follows Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in the segregated South, as she navigates the complexities of her community and confronts the harsh realities of prejudice.

  16. 20 To Kill a Mockingbird Discussion Questions

    Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is a haunting exploration of innocence lost amidst a society grappling with deep-rooted racial prejudice. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, the novel follows young Scout Finch as she navigates the complexities of growing up. Through her innocent eyes, we witness the stark ...

  17. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    The Great Depression. The Great Depression was a period of severe economic depression that began in the United States and spread across the world from the year 1929 to 1939. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the narrator remarks that everyone is poor but in relation to others, the farmers are the most impoverished by the economic depression.

  18. Harper Lee, "To Kill a Mockingbird"

    However, parental permission was required to read it. The second case occurred in 2018 at schools in Duluth, Minnesota, where copies of both To Kill a Mockingbird and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were removed from the classroom. Unlike the previous case, the book was banned due to the accumulation of complaints over the years.

  19. Amazon.com: To Kill a Mockingbird (Audible Audio Edition): Harper Lee

    Report an issue with this product or seller. Read & Listen Switch back and forth between reading the Kindle book and listening to Audible audiobook. ... Overall, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a masterful tale that has captivated readers for generations, and its exploration of human nature, prejudice, and redemption continues to resonate today." ...

  20. BOOK To Kill a Mockingbird Lettering Set Instant Display Title

    BOOK To Kill a Mockingbird Lettering Set Instant Display Title Colourful Whole Alphabet, Letters etc Novel by Harper Lee Beautiful and updated lettering set for your. ... Report this resourceto let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch. £4.00