To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Originally published by J.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, 1960.

ISBN for the DVD version of the 1962 movie: 0-7832-2585-7

Plot Summary

Scout is a 6-year-old tomboy in the hot summer of 1932 in Depression-era Alabama. She lives with her lawyer father, Atticus Finch and her 10-year-old brother Jem (their mother died when Scout was 2). When Atticus agrees to defend a black man who is accused of raping a white woman, their world turns upside down. Atticus defends Tom Robinson to the best of his ability but, in this time and place, the outcome of the trial is a foregone conclusion. Atticus wins the respect and admiration of his kids, the black community and those who can see beyond the racism of the time.

Critical Evaluation

I'm going to evaluate the movie and not the book as I haven't read the book lately. Both are classics. Often I'm disappointed by the movie after reading the book but the filmmakers did everything right this time. The movie won 3 Academy Awards and should have won Best Movie. Gregory Peck did win the Oscar for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of Atticus Finch. His passionate defense of Tom Robinson is considered one of the best courtroom scenes ever filmed. The book and the movie should be required for high school students.

Moviegoer's Annotation

We see the town and its people through the young eyes of Scout. At first, she and her brother think they are off to a carefree summer (despite the poverty of the Depression) but they become caught up in the biggest trial their Southern town has ever seen when their father agrees to defend a black man - and not just any black man - but a strong, young black man accused of raping a white woman.

The Author

Harper Lee wrote this Pulitzer-prize winning novel when she was a young woman and her life was never the same. Scout is her young self and Atticus is loosely based on her lawyer father. Her childhood neighbor and lifelong friend was Truman Capote. This was her first and only novel. She lives a reclusive life today in Alabama.

Genre

A somewhat coming-of-age novel (although the children are younger than teens) - some consider To Kill a Mockingbird to be one of the first YA novels.

Curriculum Ties

Required reading on many high school English reading lists. Can also be used in American history classes.

Booktalking Ideas

The courthouse scene is a classic - without giving too much of the plot away I would describe the scene where Atticus has Mr. Ewell write his name - with his left hand!

Reading/ Interest Level

The reading level would be high school age. The interest level would be high school through adults. Everyone should read this book and watch this movie!

Challenge Issues

Racism - both the book and movie use the "n" word

Pulitzer prize-winning book and Oscar-winning movie - both well-deserved classics

Why I Included This Movie

It should be obvious that I feel that everyone should read the books and watch the movie. I jumped at the chance to watch the movie again!