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Harper Lee (1926 - ) 1961 Pulitzer Prize Winner
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1. Why is this the only novel that Harper Lee ever published?
2. What does this novel reveal about racism in the United States in the 1930s?
3. What themes of this novel are universal to modern readers?
Read a brief biography about Harper Lee.
Read a NY Times article about an essay contest that Lee attends at the University of Alabama each year.
Read
an article
about the elusive Harper Lee.
Oprah convinces Lee to write an article about her love of books.
Visit this awesome teacher-created site for information on all of the vocabulary, allusions and idioms used in the novel, organized by chapter. You can even view a picture of some of the most unique vocabulary words, such as scuppernog and spittoon.
View the old Monroe County Courthouse and other sights in Monroe County.
Background information on mockingbirds:
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a mockingbird |
Read a short description of a mockingbird, and hear the difference between its song and its call. This works well if you are using Microsoft Explorer (but if you are using Netscape, it requires a download).
Read a thorough, beautifully written explanation by John James Audubon on the habits of mockingbirds.
Read a thorough article about mockingbirds and their habits.
After visiting the sites above, take a quiz that I created on mockingbird habits. |
Consider the following discussion topics as you read the novel. It is advisable that you mark examples of these concepts in your text as you read. After we finish the novel, we will tie the following topics into themes from the novel.
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Physical vs. Moral Courage |
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References to Mockingbirds |
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Tolerance vs. Intolerance |
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Isolation and Loneliness |
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Individual Conscience vs. Society’s Values |
Updated 8/17/09
