Lesson exploring the context of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird

1. Learning Objective: Understand contextual themes of
European Privilege in the exposition
The Finches
The first Finches to make a living away from the
farm were Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, who
became a lawyer in the nearby town of
Maycomb, and his brother, Jack Finch, who went
to medical school in Boston. Their sister,
Alexandra Finch, stayed to run the Landing.
In rural America, do you think
these jobs were commonplace?
Why does Harper Lee try to highlight the
discrepancies in society at such an early
point in the novel?

2. Learning Objective: Understand contextual themes of
European Privilege in the exposition
Carbon Hill, Alabama
Photographs of a town rather like Maycomb (the setting for To Kill a
Mockingbird), taken in 1938

3. Learning Objective: Understand contextual themes of
European Privilege in the exposition
Carbon Hill, Alabama
Photographs of a town rather like Maycomb (the setting for To Kill a
Mockingbird), taken in 1938

4. Learning Objective: Understand contextual themes of
European Privilege in the exposition
Privileged
background of
European settlers
The Cunninghams and
Ewells
p.21-22
Harper Lee’s Intention:
The Ewells demonstrate the
juxtaposition of humanity and dignity
with which the black characters
behave, despite their poverty.
Highlighting from the outset the white
characters’ ability for disgrace –
breaking social conventions of the era
Reading p. 21-22 What do we learn about
Miss Caroline and the Cunninghams? How
can we link this to major themes?
Reading p. 23-24 How does our perception of
the Cunninghams and the society they live in
develop? How is community both a life line
and an anchor in this town of Maycomb?

5. Learning Objective: Understand contextual themes of
European Privilege in the exposition
Read Chapter One,
make some post-it
notes as you read
along –based on the
exposition
conventions on the
right
General chapter by chapter features:
Exposition
Foreshadowing /The ‘set-up’/ Posing Q’s
immediately
Introducing characters
Description of setting
Hints at rising action
Allusion /Historical reference
Hints at themes
Complete the
Exposition
Worksheet

6. Learning Objective: Understand contextual themes of
European Privilege in the exposition
Why is contextual detail so important to both essay questions on
the Literature paper?