America and the 1930sAn Introduction to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird

The Great Depression Started on “Black Tuesday”

(10/29/1929) when Wall Street crashed. Lasted well into 1939.

Marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, etc.

Businesses closed, factories shut down, banks failed.

Farm income dropped 50%. Market investors lost over

$40 billion by the end of 1929.

Effects on the People 13 million people became

unemployed. In 1932, 34 million people

belonged to families with no regular full-time wage earner.

Families split up and abandoned their homes in search of work.

“Hoovervilles” – a jab at the failing president – were shanty towns where poor families settled while searching for jobs.

Hoovervilles & Soup Kitchens People were left without

homes, savings, and jobs. Shacks were built from old

cars, milk crates, wood scraps Soup Kitchens were created to

feed the pour. Served free soup and bread Water could be added to feed

more people. Lines often stretched for blocks

of people hoping to be fed. Originally operated by churches

& charities. Eventually gov’t operated many.

Gov’t Agencies Under “The New Deal” Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Sent 250,000 young men to work camps to perform reforestation and conservation tasks.

Civil Works Administration (CWA) Provided public works jobs at $15/week

Works Progress Administration (WPA) Employed 8.5 million workers in

construction and other jobs, but more importantly provided work in arts, theater, and literary projects.

Racial Tension in the 1930s Despite the abolition of

slavery and decline of groups like the KKK, southern racism was still rampant.

Tension began to appear after influx of African Americans in the north.

African Americans were discriminated against under the New Deal agencies.

Jim Crow Laws State & local laws

enacted between 1876-1965

Legalized racial segregation in public places (schools, restaurants, movie theaters, stores, etc.)

Began the “separate but equal” debate What makes something

“equal”?

“The Scottsboro Boys” Trials 9 black young men were

accused of raping two homeless white women on a freight train.

The investigation was done quickly and remains questionable.

8 of them were convicted by all-white juries and were defended by ill-experienced defense attorneys.

8 were sentenced to death on rape charges until the Supreme Court lifted their sentence.

Ended up serving between 6-19 years in prison.

Lynching The act of hanging

someone as a way to intimidate, control, or otherwise manipulate a specific group of people as carried out by a mob.

Most commonly associated with African Americans, though included other minority groups.

While the bulk of American lynchings took place between 1882-1968, lynchings have occurred as recently as 1998.

Harper Lee – author of TKAM Born on April 28, 1926 Grew up in a small town in

Alabama (Monroeville) Father was a lawyer & state

legislator As a child she was a

precocious reader and very much a tomboy.

Best friends with schoolmate & neighbor, Truman Capote.

TKAM is her only well known piece of writing.

Honored in 2007 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to American literature. This is the highest honor a civilian can be given.

To Kill a Mockingbird Published in 1960 and

became an instant best seller.

Won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961.

Currently has over 33 million copies sold.

Recently named “Novel of the Century” by The Library Journal (Mr. Barry’s favorite magazine).

Setting

Maycomb, Alabama (fictional) A small town Very similar to the town Lee grew up in

1933-1935 Age of Great Depression Racial Tension

Major Characters You Should Know Jean Louise Finch

Nicknamed “Scout”; narrator and protagonist; 6-year-old tomboy; smart for her age.

Often compared to Harper Lee’s childhood. Jeremy Finch

Nicknamed “Jem”; Typical American boy; Scout’s older brother (by 4 years); grows up in story.

Atticus Finch Father; highly regarded in the community; lawyer;

widower Calpurnia

The Finch’s stern housekeeper/cook

Additional Characters

Charles Baker Harris Nicknamed “Dill”; a summertime friend

and confidant of Scout & Jem. Frequently compared to Truman Capote

Arthur Radley Nicknamed “Boo”; neighbor of the

Finches; recluse; infamous among Maycomb’s youth

Ideas To Think About

Fear, Ignorance, Prejudice, Racism Social Injustices Existence of Good & Evil True Courage Growing Up/Loss of Innocence Learning Life Lessons Gender Roles Written v. Unwritten Laws