American Literature: Weekend Work

We have just gotten in the remaining copies of To Kill a Mockingbird, and I will give those out on Tuesday. However, several of you already have copies. We listened to chapter 1 in class on Wednesday (audio) and answered the chapter 1 questions. If you already have a book, please read chapter 1 and answer the questions below. If you do not have a copy yet, you can probably find a free version online either of the text or audio. Please try to finish chapter 1 before Tuesday if you can and finish the questions.

“As you grow up, always tell the truth, do no harm to others, and don't think you are the most important being on earth. Rich or poor, you then can look anyone in the eye and say, “I'm probably no better than you, but I'm certainly your equal.”- Harper Lee, in a letter to a fan.

1. Summarize the social context of the time during which the novel is set.

2. Refer to Lee’s advice to a fan above. How might this advice relate to the time and context into which Lee was writing?

3. When and where was Lee born? How might this have influenced her writing?

4. One of the most prominent motifs of To Kill a Mockingbird is prejudice and discrimination. Does that mean that it will be all about race? Explain why or why not.