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Contributor: Elephango Editors. Lesson ID: 12731
Explore the hidden layers of Maycomb’s society and how social class impacts the characters and their actions in To Kill a Mockingbird. See how these divisions still resonate today!
That's exactly what Harper Lee did when she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird.
But before that, she was just a small-town girl with big ideas, a love for stories, and a knack for staying out of the spotlight. She never expected the fame or the controversy that would follow her iconic novel.
Dive into the fascinating life of Harper Lee and discover how her journey led to the creation of one of the most important books in American literature.
Harper Lee (born Nelle Harper Lee) was born in Monroeville, Alabama, in 1926. She became famous for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960.
Despite the book's massive success, Lee remained a private figure, often avoiding public attention. This decision to retreat from the limelight makes her even more intriguing, especially considering her novel's complex themes.
Lee grew up in the Deep South during the Great Depression, and her family played a significant role in shaping her view of the world.
Her father, A.C. Lee, was a lawyer who inspired the character of Atticus Finch. He believed in justice and fairness, even when the odds were against him—principles that Lee would later explore in her writing.
Her mother, on the other hand, faced mental health challenges, which impacted Lee's perspective on family dynamics and individual struggles.
Her novel To Kill a Mockingbird left a lasting mark on the literary world. Though she only published one novel for many years, Lee's legacy never faded.
In 2015, decades after Mockingbird's release, another of her stories, Set a Watchman, was published. The book sparked heated debates, as it was initially drafted before To Kill a Mockingbird but portrayed many of the same characters in a different light.
This sparked renewed interest in her work and questions about preserving her legacy.
While Lee's decision to withdraw from the public eye often made her seem reclusive, she remained one of the most influential American authors of the 20th century. Her choice to live quietly in Monroeville, Alabama, for much of her life gave her the freedom to focus on her writing without the distractions of fame.
Watch the following video to learn more about Lee and her two novels.
You will need a copy of the novel for this series of Related Lessons. If you cannot find a copy at your library, school, or local bookstore, you can access an online version of To Kill a Mockingbird.
Read the first four chapters and take notes on the main characters that you encounter.
Keep these notes in your notebook or journal.
After taking notes, move on to the Got It? section to check your knowledge of the novel.
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