To Kill a Mockingbird: Chapters 14-17

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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In To Kill a Mockingbird, the town of Maycomb is not just divided by class and family history, but by something even more deeply ingrained: race.

From the very beginning of the novel, Harper Lee shows us a town where white and black people are treated differently in almost every aspect of life. This division is not only a part of the social fabric of the time but is also influenced by the deeply discriminatory laws and practices of the Jim Crow era.

Throughout Chapters 1-4, you saw how the town was divided geographically and socially, with townspeople living in one area and country folk in another. In Chapters 10-13, you learned how characters like Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have different views on the role of family legacy and social class.

Now, in this lesson, you’re going to take a closer look at how race affects every aspect of life in Maycomb and how it shapes the attitudes and beliefs of its residents.

Understanding the Racial Divide in Maycomb

The characters in To Kill a Mockingbird are influenced by their social and racial identities, and this divide is starkly seen through professions, social behavior, and the treatment of others.

In your notebook or journal, take a moment to list as many black and white characters as you can remember from earlier chapters. For each adult, try to recall their occupation.

After you've compiled your list, think about the following.

• Do you notice any trends or patterns in the professions of the black characters versus the white characters?
• For example, do most white characters hold positions of power, like lawyers or doctors, while black characters tend to have menial jobs, like farmers or caretakers?

• Who are the only adults who don't have an occupation?
• Are these characters treated differently?
• What does this say about their status in the community?

The Jim Crow Era: Legal and Social Divides

The town of Maycomb, like many southern towns during the early 20th century, is deeply affected by the Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and inequality.

These laws were named after a derogatory character from minstrel shows in the 19th century, and their goal was to maintain the separation of black and white Americans, primarily in the South, but also in certain northern areas.

The Jim Crow era lasted for decades, from the end of Reconstruction (1877) until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. During this period, African Americans faced segregation in schools, public places, and transportation, and were denied equal rights under the law.

Laws that were supposed to protect the rights of black citizens often served to disenfranchise and oppress them.

Key Legal Cases and Their Impact on Racial Segregation

Explore some important legal cases and laws that shaped the Jim Crow era and how they affected African Americans.

The Civil Rights Act of 1875

This law was passed with the intention of ensuring equal rights for all Americans, regardless of race. It guaranteed equal access to public accommodations such as theaters, restaurants, and public transportation, as well as jury service.

However, this law was not upheld for long. In 1883, the Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was unconstitutional in the Civil Rights Cases, declaring that Congress could not regulate private businesses.

The Strauder v. West Virginia Case (1880)

In the case of Strauder v. West Virginia, the Supreme Court ruled that excluding African Americans from jury service was unconstitutional. However, this decision was later undermined by other rulings that allowed racial discrimination to continue in jury selection.

The Plessy v. Ferguson Case (1896)

This landmark Supreme Court case legalized racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal." The case arose when Homer Plessy, a black man, was arrested for sitting in a "whites-only" railroad car.

The Court ruled that segregation was constitutional as long as the separate facilities for black and white citizens were "equal." In practice, however, the facilities for black Americans were almost always inferior to those for whites.

The Gaines v. Canada Case (1938)

In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that Lloyd Gaines, a black student, must be allowed to attend a white law school in Missouri, as the state did not provide an equal law school for African Americans.

While the ruling did not immediately overturn Plessy v. Ferguson, it made it harder to maintain segregation in higher education by requiring states to provide equal facilities for African Americans if they were going to maintain segregation.

The First African American Supreme Court Justice

Thurgood Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court justice when he was appointed in 1967. Before serving on the Court, Marshall was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, arguing landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, which helped end racial segregation in public schools.

The Cases That Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson

Over the years, the Supreme Court began to reverse its stance on racial segregation. The Brown v. Board of Education case (1954) is perhaps the most famous of these decisions, ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

This decision was followed by others that ultimately dismantled the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Racial Identity in Maycomb

Now that you’ve learned about the Jim Crow laws and their impact on racial segregation, look at how these issues are reflected in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Maycomb, like many towns in the South during the 1930s, is deeply divided along racial lines. As you read Chapters 14-17, think about how the characters’ racial identities influence their actions and interactions.

• How do Scout and Jem perceive race?
• Are they aware of the racial tensions in Maycomb, or are they still too young to fully grasp the significance of the racial divide?

• How do the adults in Maycomb view race? Consider how characters like Aunt Alexandra, Atticus, and others talk about race.
• How do their beliefs shape the children’s understanding of the world around them?

• How does the Tom Robinson case affect the way people think about race in Maycomb?
• What does the trial reveal about the town’s racial divisions, and how do the characters' attitudes shift as the case progresses?

What’s Next?

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.

As you read Chapters 14-17, examine the racial issues presented in the novel. Think about how these divisions affect the characters, both young and old.

• What role does race play in the Tom Robinson trial, and how does it continue to shape the lives of those in Maycomb?

Keep taking notes in your journal as you read to better understand how race influences the actions and perspectives of the characters.

When ready, continue to the Got It? section to review what you read.