Mrs. French's English Class
Miller Place High School
PreReading Research-Buckle up! It's gonna be a long ride...
To Kill a Mockingbird is set in the sleepy town of
Maycomb, Alabama. The consciousness of a town steeped in prejudice, violence,
and hypocrisy is pricked by the quiet heroism of one man’s struggle for
justice. Through the young eyes of his children, Scout and Jem Finch, Harper
Lee explores the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the
Deep South of the 1930’s.
In order to appreciate and properly analyze a literary
novel you must first understand the time period, environment, social climate and
the individuals on which it is based. As we study Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize
winning novel, we have to look beyond the literary context into the past. It
is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the plot and its setting.
We must seek to understand the people, their way of life, and the ideas upon
which their lives are built.
Task:
You will search, scan, and select specific information on the topics related to the novel. There are 30 response questions and a series of websites provided for your convenience. This research will take more than 1-2 classes to complete. You will need to spend time outside of class to complete it in the manner it deserves.
The Process:
All questions should be answered thoroughly. You have ample time to complete ALL questions; be sure to SPEND YOUR TIME WISELY. The questions will be graded for correctness! Work together, if you choose, to find the best sources of information & respond to the questions accurately and thoroughly. Using complete sentences, open a Word Doc and type your responses. Do NOT copy and paste. Take the necessary steps to be sure you have what you need to work on this outside of class.(Google Drive, flashdrive, etc.)
Evaluation:
The questions will be graded for accuracy and detail and there will be a multiple choice quiz over the information researched.
Suggested Websites: PLEASE search elsewhere if you need more information!
The History of Jim Crow, Jim Crow Laws, and Plessy v. Ferguson
Jim Crow and Plessy v. Ferguson
The Great Depression
Social and Cultural Effects of the Depression
The Great Depression Hits Farms and Cities in the 1930s
Sharecroppers
Sharecropping and Tenant Farming in Alabama
The Scottsboro Boys # 1 # 2 #3 #4 #5
Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird