The Civil Rights Movement
a. When did the civil rights movement begin?
In 1955.
b. What was the civil rights movement about?
It was about fighting for equal rights between the white Americans and African Americans. E.g. The rights to vote.
c. State some of the significant incidents that took place in the Civil Rights movements.
1. The Murder of Emmett Till (1955).
Emmett Till was brutally beaten by his two white abductors, who then shot him and dumped his body in the Tallahatchie River. His two murderers were arrested the day after Till's disappearance. Both were acquitted a month later, after the jury of all white men deliberated for 67 minutes and then issued their "Not Guilty" verdict. After being acquitted, the two murderers went on record as blatantly declaring that they were indeed guilty. They remained free and unpunished as a consequence of the judicial procedure known as "double jeopardy."
2. Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
Mrs. Rosa Parks, while riding on a public bus, refused to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. Mrs. Parks was subsequently arrested, tried, and convicted of disorderly conduct and of violating a local ordinance. Alabama's black community organized and launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott, to protest the practice of segregating blacks and whites in public transportation. The successful boycott lasted for 382 days (1956 was a leap year), until the local ordinance legalizing the segregation of blacks and whites on public buses was vitiated.
d. Which American president supported this movement?
John F. Kennedy.
e. What was the outcome of this movement?
As a result to the civil rights movement african-americans are now as equal as whites. That's what they would have Americans believe and although African Americans have more rights and can hold office to good jobs, there is still racism going on to this day.
f. Civil Rights movement relation to the novel?
When Dill and Scout return to the courtroom, they found Atticus well into his closing remarks. Jem whispers that Atticus has just gone over the evidence and there’s no way they can lose. Atticus tells the jury that the prosecution is relying on the jury’s racism to convict Tom even though there’s no evidence any crime even took place. Mayella’s injuries at the time suggested that she was beaten by a left-handed man, and Tom’s left hand is useless (though Mr. Ewell’s isn’t). Atticus reminds the jury that everyone should be equal under the law, and they should do their duty and acquit Tom. After four hours of deliberation, the jury finally delivers its verdict: guilty. As Atticus walks down the aisle and out of the courtroom, the African-Americans in the balcony silently stand up as a gesture of respect.
Montgomery Bus Boycott and Scottsboro trials
a. State the specifics of each trial and why they were significant.
Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Also say "yes sir" or "no sir" and "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am" at all appropriate times. If you don't use these you may be viewed as arrogant or disrespectful, or uppity.
Several fundamental tenets of southern manners:
-Be humble - Always put others first and yourself last ("after you..."). This is rooted in Bible Belt theology. Acting uppity, selfish, or self-centered are certainly not good manners.
-Be courteous - This stems from the Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you).
-Behave yourself - When in public, don't be rude, brash, loud, uncouth, coarse, or cause a commotion. If you do act that way people may think you weren't raised properly and don't know better.
-Be friendly - Act this way towards everyone whether you know them or not.
-Be modest - this is similar to being humble. In other words, don't brag on yourself.
Here are some other tips (but this is not an exhaustive list of course):
-Always ask for something, but never demand it.
-Refer to females as "Ladies".
-Chivalry of all forms is well appreciated throughout the South.
-Hold doors open for others.
-If you're a male, walk on the street side of a sidewalk when accompanying a lady.
-Men stand when a lady enters the room.
-Remove your hat, if you're a male, when entering a building. A hat should also be removed (by men) during the national anthem, the raising of the flag, funeral processions, and prayer.
-When at fault, own up to it and say you're sorry.
-Say "pardon me" or "excuse me" when having to walk in front of someone or if you bump into someone.
-Err on the side of being too nice.
-Know proper table manners and always use them.
-Make eye contact with people and say "hi, how are you" or an appropriate greeting to them depending on the time of day ("good morning", "good afternoon", etc.).
-Conduct small talk with others whether you know them or not (particularly in stores and restaurants, etc.).
-Respect elders
-Be gracious and extend hospitality whenever possible. Offer guests in your home food and drink.
-Don't interrupt.
-Shake hands with a firm grip.
-Don't be in a rush and impatient all the time. Things move at a different pace in the South.
-Keep your word.
-Stand by your family.
-If someone has had surgery, a new baby or a death in the family, organize the neighbours to all take turns fixing dinner for the affected family.
-Welcome new neighbours.
Harper Lee
a. When did the civil rights movement begin?
In 1955.
b. What was the civil rights movement about?
It was about fighting for equal rights between the white Americans and African Americans. E.g. The rights to vote.
c. State some of the significant incidents that took place in the Civil Rights movements.
1. The Murder of Emmett Till (1955).
Emmett Till was brutally beaten by his two white abductors, who then shot him and dumped his body in the Tallahatchie River. His two murderers were arrested the day after Till's disappearance. Both were acquitted a month later, after the jury of all white men deliberated for 67 minutes and then issued their "Not Guilty" verdict. After being acquitted, the two murderers went on record as blatantly declaring that they were indeed guilty. They remained free and unpunished as a consequence of the judicial procedure known as "double jeopardy."
2. Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
Mrs. Rosa Parks, while riding on a public bus, refused to relinquish her seat to a white passenger. Mrs. Parks was subsequently arrested, tried, and convicted of disorderly conduct and of violating a local ordinance. Alabama's black community organized and launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott, to protest the practice of segregating blacks and whites in public transportation. The successful boycott lasted for 382 days (1956 was a leap year), until the local ordinance legalizing the segregation of blacks and whites on public buses was vitiated.
d. Which American president supported this movement?
John F. Kennedy.
e. What was the outcome of this movement?
As a result to the civil rights movement african-americans are now as equal as whites. That's what they would have Americans believe and although African Americans have more rights and can hold office to good jobs, there is still racism going on to this day.
f. Civil Rights movement relation to the novel?
When Dill and Scout return to the courtroom, they found Atticus well into his closing remarks. Jem whispers that Atticus has just gone over the evidence and there’s no way they can lose. Atticus tells the jury that the prosecution is relying on the jury’s racism to convict Tom even though there’s no evidence any crime even took place. Mayella’s injuries at the time suggested that she was beaten by a left-handed man, and Tom’s left hand is useless (though Mr. Ewell’s isn’t). Atticus reminds the jury that everyone should be equal under the law, and they should do their duty and acquit Tom. After four hours of deliberation, the jury finally delivers its verdict: guilty. As Atticus walks down the aisle and out of the courtroom, the African-Americans in the balcony silently stand up as a gesture of respect.
Montgomery Bus Boycott and Scottsboro trials
a. State the specifics of each trial and why they were significant.
Montgomery Bus Boycott.
On Thursday, December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man. In response, the Women's Political Council distributed fliers throughout the community urging African-Americans to boycott the bus line on the day of Mrs. Parks's trial. The following Monday Mrs. Parks was found guilty of disorderly conduct and fined. It was on this day in the afternoon at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church that a meeting was held, it was at this meeting that the Montgomery Improvement Association was formed and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., selected as the new organization's president. That evening a meeting was held at the Holt Street Baptist Church at which it was decided that continuing the bus boycott would be an effective way to protest the segregated bus service.
In terms of participation, the bus boycott was an immediate success. Virtually all of the African-Americans who formerly patronized the bus service now walked, arranged carpools or found other means of transportation. Despite the strong participation in the boycott and the financial hardship experienced by the bus company, the laws were not changed. The Montgomery Improvement Association filed suit in federal court on behalf of those discriminated against by the bus service. On June 2, 1956, a federal court ruled for the Montgomery Improvement Association and declared segregated bus service to be unconstitutional. The ruling was appealed to the United States Supreme Court who, on November 13, 1956, upheld the lower court's findings. The boycott ended on December 20, 1956, 382 days after Mrs. Parks's conviction, when the court order requiring integrated bus service was served to Montgomery officials.
Scottsboro trials
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, poor people would ride in railroad freight cars, trying to get to a town that might have work. In 1931, two white women were riding the trains along with two groups of men: one white and another black. A fight broke out between the two groups of men. The blacks won and threw the whites off the train. The whites reported this to the local sheriff, and the train was stopped in Scottsboro, Alabama. Everyone on board was arrested. Victoria Price was in serious trouble because her friend, Ruby Bates, was a minor. It's a federal crime to take a minor across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. In order to get out of trouble, Victoria and Ruby said that the black men had raped them. In 1931, rape was punishable by death. Considering the races of the accusers (white) and accused (black), the normal response would have been a lynching (hanging someone who is suspected of a crime). But the people of Scottsboro held a trial, instead. Of course, the result had been decided before the trial began. The Scottsboro Boys were convicted and sentenced to death - at the first trial.But that was only the beginning. The Scottsboro Trials - we will examine two of them - dragged on for six more years and resulted in two Supreme Court rulings.
b. How is the Scottsboro trial related to the trial in the novel?
When Lee was a young girl, about six-years-old, there was a highly publicised court case, the Scottsboro Trials, involving several young African-American men. There are many parallels between the trial of Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird and one of the most notorious series of trials in the nation's history ‚ the Scottsboro Trials. On March 25, 1931, a freight train was stopped in Paint Rock, a tiny community in Northern Alabama, and nine young African American men who had been riding the rails were arrested. As two white women - one underage - descended from the freight cars, they accused the men of raping them on the train. The accused were taken to Scottsboro jail. Within a month the first man was found guilty and sentenced to death. There followed a series of sensational trials condemning the other men solely on the testimony of the older woman, a known prostitute, who was attempting to avoid prosecution under the Mann Act, prohibiting taking a minor across state lines for immoral purposes, like prostitution. Although none of the accused were executed, a number remained on death row for many years. The case was not settled until 1976 with the pardon of the last of the Scottsboro defendants. This trial has many similarities to Tom Robinson's trial including the word of a poor White woman against the word of an African-American man and the fact that there was no real evidence.
c. In what way are these trials similar?
Both are biased. The black is going against the white and white against the black.
Trials of a true Southern Belle and Southern Gentleman
a. What were the rules of etiquette for Southern gentlemen and ladies?
Above all, say "please" and "thank you". Always saw please whenever making any sort of request. You may further express thanks by saying something like "Thank you very much, I really appreciate it." If you don't get what you want, say something like "well, thank you anyway." You should also use "May I," "You're Welcome," "Excuse Me," and "Pardon Me."Also say "yes sir" or "no sir" and "yes ma'am" or "no ma'am" at all appropriate times. If you don't use these you may be viewed as arrogant or disrespectful, or uppity.
Several fundamental tenets of southern manners:
-Be humble - Always put others first and yourself last ("after you..."). This is rooted in Bible Belt theology. Acting uppity, selfish, or self-centered are certainly not good manners.
-Be courteous - This stems from the Golden Rule ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you).
-Behave yourself - When in public, don't be rude, brash, loud, uncouth, coarse, or cause a commotion. If you do act that way people may think you weren't raised properly and don't know better.
-Be friendly - Act this way towards everyone whether you know them or not.
-Be modest - this is similar to being humble. In other words, don't brag on yourself.
Here are some other tips (but this is not an exhaustive list of course):
-Always ask for something, but never demand it.
-Refer to females as "Ladies".
-Chivalry of all forms is well appreciated throughout the South.
-Hold doors open for others.
-If you're a male, walk on the street side of a sidewalk when accompanying a lady.
-Men stand when a lady enters the room.
-Remove your hat, if you're a male, when entering a building. A hat should also be removed (by men) during the national anthem, the raising of the flag, funeral processions, and prayer.
-When at fault, own up to it and say you're sorry.
-Say "pardon me" or "excuse me" when having to walk in front of someone or if you bump into someone.
-Err on the side of being too nice.
-Know proper table manners and always use them.
-Make eye contact with people and say "hi, how are you" or an appropriate greeting to them depending on the time of day ("good morning", "good afternoon", etc.).
-Conduct small talk with others whether you know them or not (particularly in stores and restaurants, etc.).
-Respect elders
-Be gracious and extend hospitality whenever possible. Offer guests in your home food and drink.
-Don't interrupt.
-Shake hands with a firm grip.
-Don't be in a rush and impatient all the time. Things move at a different pace in the South.
-Keep your word.
-Stand by your family.
-If someone has had surgery, a new baby or a death in the family, organize the neighbours to all take turns fixing dinner for the affected family.
-Welcome new neighbours.
b. What did southern ladies do to pass their time?
They like to look at recipes, cook and collect things.c. Pictures of Southern ladies and gentlemen
d. Identify characters in the novel that fit the mould of true southern belles and gentlemen and those who don’t? Explain why they fit the mould and why they don’t?
Atticus is the true southern gentleman. He is gentle and calm, and seldom hot-tempered. His gentle voice and calm expression makes him look like a cool man indirectly. Calpurnia is a true southern belle. She seldom shouts and greets others politely. She also has a good view of things and can make good judgement. She will not invade into other people’s privacy.Harper Lee
a. About the author
Nelle Harper Lee (born April 28, 1926) is an American author best known for her 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which deals with the issues of racism that were observed by the author as a child in her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. Despite being Lee's only published book, it led to Lee being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States for her contribution to literature in 2007. Lee has also been the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, but has always declined to make a speech.b. Biodata
Born | April 28, 1926 Monroeville, Alabama |
Occupation | Novelist |
Nationality | American |
Subjects | Literature |
Literary movement | Southern Gothic |
c. Novels written by her
To Kill a Mockingbirdd. Awards received
Pulitzer Prize (1961)
Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1961)
Alabama Library Association Award (1961)
Bestsellers Paperback of the Year Award (1962)
Member, National Council on the Arts (1966)
Best Novel of the Century, Library Journal (1999)
Alabama Humanities Award (2002)
ATTY Award, Spector Gadon & Rosen Foundation (2005)
Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award (2005)
Honorary degree, University of Notre Dame (2006)
American Academy of Arts and Letters (2007)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2007)
Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1961)
Alabama Library Association Award (1961)
Bestsellers Paperback of the Year Award (1962)
Member, National Council on the Arts (1966)
Best Novel of the Century, Library Journal (1999)
Alabama Humanities Award (2002)
ATTY Award, Spector Gadon & Rosen Foundation (2005)
Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award (2005)
Honorary degree, University of Notre Dame (2006)
American Academy of Arts and Letters (2007)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2007)
e. Why was TKAM a significant novel to her?
Harper Lee is clearly making a commentary about the levels of society in Maycomb. Through the example of its citizens, Lee forces us to question how and why we rigidly structure our society. Consider the ways in which the children follow Maycomb’s caste rules and also how they break them. Consider the interaction of the children with the Cunninghams, Calpurnia, Reverend Sykes, Boo Radley, and Dolphus Raymond. Their play and their conversations connected to these characters offers what at first appears to be an innocent comment about Maycomb’s citizens; when it is indeed the carefully masked social commentary on the dangers of Maycomb’s rigid caste system by the adult novelist, Harper Lee.
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