To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Name: To Kill A Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, published in 1960. It is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression. The story follows the life of Scout Finch, a young girl living with her father, Atticus, and brother, Jem. Atticus is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white woman. The trial and its aftermath are central to the novel, which explores themes of racial injustice, courage, and morality. The novel is narrated by Scout, who looks back on her childhood experiences with her father, brother, and the people of Maycomb. Through Scout's eyes, readers are able to gain insight into the racism and prejudice of the time. The novel also explores the themes of courage and morality, as Scout and Jem learn to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

By Harper Lee · First published 1960 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Coming-of-Age, Drama · 31 chapters · 99,804 words

First lines

When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.

When it healed, and Jem's fears of never being able to play football were assuaged, he was seldom self-conscious about his injury. His left arm was somewhat shorter than his right; when he stood or walked, the back of his hand was at right angles to his body, his thumb parallel to his thigh. He couldn't have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt.

What this Textopian page supports

To Kill A Mockingbird is listed on Textopian as a novel by Harper Lee, dated 1960 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Harper Lee
Date: 1960 CE
Language: English
Genres: Southern Gothic, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Length: 99,804 words
Structure: 31 chapters, 4,316 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Harper Lee fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Southern Gothic first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Southern Gothic — The novel is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Great Depression, and explores themes of racial injustice, class, courage, and morality.
Coming-of-Age — The novel follows the life of Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in the South, as she learns about the world around her and matures.
Drama — The novel is filled with dramatic moments, such as the trial of Tom Robinson and the confrontation between Atticus and the lynch mob.
Realistic Fiction — The novel is set in a realistic world, with characters that are believable and relatable.

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