To Kill a Mockingbird
Unit Objectives
Welcome to Maycomb County, Alabama in the year 1935. “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square” (Lee 5).
You will meet a cast of memorable characters in this novel from Scout, the young tomboy who narrates the story, to Boo Radley, the mysterious, reclusive neighbor. Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, is considered one of the most admirable characters in all of fiction by many sources.
As we read the story, we would like you to contemplate the following questions:
· Why is it important to consider the narrative point of view in a novel?
· How can we encourage others to be just and courageous?
· How does where you are from, your gender, and your age influence your
perception of the world?
· Can our preconceived notions be unlearned? Is real change possible?
· Do we truly understand other people?
· How do we truly understand ourselves?
We hope by the end of this novel, you come away with some meaningful responses to these questions, and perhaps through the study of TKM, you will have a better appreciation for the importance of empathy and courage in your own lives. While reading, keep the following ideas in mind:
· Courage is fighting for a cause or person even when there is very little chance of winning.
· We all have preconceived ideas, biases, and prejudices within ourselves and in order to grow as individuals we need to confront/recognize those ideas and accept new interpretations.
· We come to our conclusions about the world and the people in it through our direct experiences.
· The study of literature can foster a sense of empathy and understanding of the world.