An in-depth analysis of Harper Lee, his writings, and the historical time period in which they were written.

The first book-length study of Harper Lee's two novels, this is the ultimate reference for those interested in Harper Lee's writing, most notably as it considers race, class, and gender. To Kill a Mockingbird is timeless, continuing to be a favorite among both students and adults. One million copies are sold every year, and it remains one of the books most often taught in school. This companion guide helps students to better understand the complex themes of race, class, and gender that were first introduced in To Kill a Mockingbird and remain relevant in Go Set a Watchman, which both challenges and mirrors the topics discussed in Lee's first novel. A literary scholar and a friend of Harper Lee herself, author Claudia Durst Johnson brings a unique perspective to Lee's texts. The book provides a historical background of the Great Depression and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement as well as an analysis of the widespread censorship of Lee's works. Chapters provide important context for topics such as racial issues, women's issues, and class divisions in the Deep South and serve as discussion points that give students a starting point for their research; similarly, teachers who struggle with how to introduce students to these challenging but timely topics will appreciate the wealth of knowledge this companion guide will deliver.

In the 1970s, a mysterious man captivated and terrorized a small Alabama town. He was elegant and handsome, a charismatic pastor and leader in the African American community. But rumors swirled. Preaching on Sunday, people would say, killing on Monday. Far away in New York City, one of America’s most beloved writers was about to get caught up in the strange and violent tale of Reverend Willie J. Maxwell. Harper Lee, author of the modern-day classic To Kill a Mockingbird, was searching for her next book when the perfect story came her way: There was a man, the Reverend, who had allegedly murdered five of his family members, and managed to do it without getting caught. Thanks to the skills of his talented lawyer, he collected sizeable amounts of money from insurance policies that named him as the beneficiary. It was said the Reverend used voodoo to commit the murders and that his magical powers made him untouchable. And then, at the funeral of his most recent alleged victim—his sixteen-year-old stepdaughter—someone pointed a pistol at Reverend Maxwell’s head and shot three times. Mesmerized by the string of bloody deaths, Harper Lee returned to her native Alabama. She spent months in Alexander City, getting to know the town and the people, slowly pulling out the threads of this macabre tale. She found a story that only a writer of her caliber could do justice to: a modern southern gothic tale of death, fraud, superstition, and race. But apparently she never finished the book. After all that research, all the time spent tracking leads, speaking with crucial sources, and examining records, she dropped the project. Why? Acclaimed investigative reporter Mark Seal, himself an Alabama native, follows the trails of both the Reverend and Harper Lee, bringing the lurid tale back to life. He interviews key players, including relatives and other survivors who bear witness to this astonishing true story. One can only wonder how Lee herself would have told it. With The Devil and Harper Lee, Seal has woven together a new and uniquely American mystery.

In 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird was published to critical acclaim. To commemorate To Kill a Mockingbird's 50th anniversary, Michael J. Meyer has assembled a collection of new essays that celebrate this enduring work of American literature. These essays approach the novel from educational, legal, social, and thematic perspectives. Harper Lee's only novel won the Pulitzer Prize and was transformed into a beloved film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. An American classic that frequently appears in middle school and high school curriculums, the novel has been subjected to criticism for its subject matter and language. Still relevant and meaningful, To Kill a Mockingbird has nonetheless been under-appreciated by many critics. There are few books that address Lee's novel's contribution to the American canon and still fewer that offer insights that can be used by teachers and by students. These essays suggest that author Harper Lee deserves more credit for skillfully shaping a masterpiece that not only addresses the problems of the 1930s but also helps its readers see the problems and prejudices the world faces today. Intended for high school and undergraduate usage, as well as for teachers planning to use To Kill a Mockingbird in their classrooms, this collection will be a valuable resource for all teachers of American literature.

LIFE celebrates Harper Lee, author of one of the most beloved works of American fiction. When HarperCollins published To Kill a Mockingbird in 1960, it quickly became a runaway bestseller-and its author, Harper Lee, an overnight literary celebrity. In this special edition, LIFE delves into its famous archives to present a rich, beautifully illustrated commemoration of Lee's life and legacy. Through essays, photographs and archival materials, LIFE revisits To Kill a Mockingbird and helps us understand its magic, exploring how the coming-of-age story of a tomboy in a small Southern town became an enduring touchstone of our cultural consciousness. This collectable volume features photographs from LIFE's 1961 profile of Lee, taken in her hometown of Monroeville, Ala., where she lived until her death in 2016. These indelible images-some reproduced here for the first time-reveal an intimate portrait of the famously shy author, showing her with her father at their childhood home and in the local courtroom that inspired the setting for the trial in Mockingbird.The book also goes behind the scenes of the Oscar Award-winning film adaptation that starred Gregory Peck in his legendary role as Atticus Finch. Mockingbird's transformation from an explosively popular novel into a classic Hollywood film is captured here in LIFE's photographs from the set, film stills, and anecdotes from those close to the project. Lee's story would not be complete without an exploration of the long-awaited sequel, Go Set a Watchman. TIME's arts critic Daniel D'Addario reviews the novel-published from a manuscript long thought to be lost-that set the literary world aflame in 2015. Throughout, LIFE's special edition incorporates reproductions of unique ephemera, including Peck's original film script with his handwritten annotations.

For most of her life, Harper Lee was (reluctantly) famous for her classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee's newest book, Go Set a Watchman, caused quite a media frenzy even before its publication. This text examines how Lee’s Southern background (she was a descendant of General Robert E. Lee) and racial tensions in the Deep South during that time came together to influence the plot, characters, and themes of To Kill a Mockingbird. This volume also explores the history of Go Set a Watchman and the controversy surrounding it, comparing its themes and structure with Lee's beloved classic. Copious excerpts from the two works along with critical analysis help students interpret and understand the writings of this Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

Discusses the writing of To kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee. Includes critical essays on the work and a brief biography of the author.

Trivia-on-Book: To Kill a Mockingbird: A Novel by Harper Lee Take the challenge yourself and share it with friends and family for a time of fun! The many events that reveal the darker side of human nature in To Kill a Mockingbird threaten the youthful innocence of Scout and Jem. Incidents like false accusations against Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell beating his daughter, cause Scout and Jem to begin to lose faith in the human ability to behave morally. Atticus Finch, Scout and Jem's father, agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. Scout and Jem cannot believe that a jury convicts Tom when it is clear that he is innocent and that the claims against him were a fabrication to protect the child abuser, Bob Ewell. Scout and Jem question the morals their father has taught them, and realize that sometimes the world is not fair. You may have read the book, but not have liked it. You may have liked the book, but not be a fan. You may call yourself a fan, but few truly are. Are you a fan? Trivia-on-Books is an independently curated trivia quiz on the book for readers, students, and fans alike. Whether you're looking for new materials to the book or would like to take the challenge yourself and share it with your friends and family for a time of fun, Trivia-on-Books provides a unique approach to To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee that is both insightful and educational! Features You'll Find Inside: • 30 Multiple choice questions on the book, plots, characters and author • Insightful commentary to answer every question • Complementary quiz material for yourself or your reading group • Results provided with scores to determine "status" Promising quality and value, come play your trivia of a favorite book!

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harperperennial Modern Classics): by Harper Lee | Conversation Starters A Brief Look Inside: Discussing race from the viewpoint of a white family in the Deep South mired in racial politics, To Kill a Mockingbird is a bold novel that swept through the country for decades since release. The story is told by Scout, a young girl, who sees gradual changes happening around her. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who takes up the defense of a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white girl. The story rolls on to its final conclusion but not before the issues of racism have been seen and discussed from the perspective of white people in the South.. EVERY GOOD BOOK CONTAINS A WORLD FAR DEEPER than the surface of its pages. The characters and their world come alive, and the characters and its world still live on. Conversation Starters is peppered with questions designed to bring us beneath the surface of the page and invite us into the world that lives on. These questions can be used to... Create Hours of Conversation: • Foster a deeper understanding of the book • Promote an atmosphere of discussion for groups • Assist in the study of the book, either individually or corporately • Explore unseen realms of the book as never seen before Disclaimer: This book you are about to enjoy is an independent resource to supplement the original book, enhancing your experience of To Kill a Mockingbird. If you have not yet purchased a copy of the original book, please do before purchasing this unofficial Conversation Starters.

Trivia-on-Book: Go Set a Watchman: A Novel by Harper Lee Take the challenge yourself and share it with friends and family for a time of fun! A grown up Scout returns to her hometown in Alabama and confronts a growing unease about how it has irretrievably changed over the years. A partially disabled father, whom she adored, turns out to be handicapped in more ways than one. When Jean Louise has to confront the fact that all the people she grew up with, especially her beloved father, were actually benign racists, she faces a difficult struggle within herself to choose between family and what is right.The story takes us through her journey of discovery to an end where we learn whether she fights them or joins them. You may have read the book, but not have liked it. You may have liked the book, but not be a fan. You may call yourself a fan, but few truly are. Are you a fan? Trivia-on-Books is an independently curated trivia quiz on the book for readers, students, and fans alike. Whether you're looking for new materials to the book or would like to take the challenge yourself and share it with your friends and family for a time of fun, Trivia-on-Books provides a unique approach to Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee that is both insightful and educational! Features You'll Find Inside: • 30 Multiple choice questions on the book, plots, characters and author • Insightful commentary to answer every question • Complementary quiz material for yourself or your reading group • Results provided with scores to determine "status" Promising quality and value, come play your trivia of a favorite book!