Lecture: To Kill A Mockingbird - Introduction and Chapters 1-5

Introduction

• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, published 1960
• Set in the Southern United States during the 1930s
• Themes of racial injustice and moral growth

Chapter 1

• Introduction to the Finch family (Atticus - father, Jem - brother, Scout - narrator)
• Dill, a friend, visits during the summer
• Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor, becomes a subject of fascination
• Background on the Finch family history, including Simon Finch and the family's homestead, Finch's Landing
• Maycomb described as a tired, old town with a slow pace of life

Chapter 2

• Scout starts school, experiences conflict with her teacher Miss Caroline
• Scout's advanced reading ability is noted
• Introduction of the Cunninghams, a poor but proud family
• Scout explains the Cunningham family's refusal to accept charity

Chapter 3

• Walter Cunningham Jr. is invited to lunch with the Finch family
• Calpurnia teaches Scout an important lesson about hospitality and respect
• Introduction of Burris Ewell, highlighting the Ewell family neglect and poverty
• Atticus explains the importance of empathy and understanding others

Chapter 4

• Scout finds gifts in a tree on the Radley Place
• Jem and Scout's fascination with Boo Radley grows
• Introduction of the "Dewey Decimal System" as a new teaching method

Chapter 5

• Scout spends more time with Miss Maudie Atkinson
• Miss Maudie provides insights into Boo Radley's past
• Dill and Jem plan to give a note to Boo Radley, showcasing their curiosity
• Atticus catches them and advises against tormenting Boo Radley

These chapters set the foundation for the main themes of the novel, including childhood innocence, curiosity, and the social dynamics of Maycomb. The character development and interactions provide insights into the societal issues of the time.