Name _________________________________                            

Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird                                       

Background Webquest                                                        

 

Directions:  With your partner, proceed to each of the “stations” that contain information on the author, the novel, and the decade in which it is set.  At each station use the information and the clues to answer the appropriate questions.  Stations do not need to be answered in order. 

 

STATION 1

 

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mocking/context.html

http://www.biography.com/search/article.jsp?aid=9377021&search=Harper+Lee

 

Use these websites to find out more about the author, Harper Lee, and to answer these questions:

 

  1. What is the author’s full name?
  2. Where was she born?
  3. Who were the characters of Atticus Finch and Dill based on?
  4. What significant event happened when Lee was five?
  5. How were the nine young black men treated?
  6. What was later revealed about the women?
  7. At the time the book was published (1960), racial tensions in Alabama were rising high.  What law regarding education was passed in 1954?  What incident involving Rosa Parks happened in 1955?

 

 

 

STATION 2

 

Examine the book Take Ten Years: 1930’s  by Ken Hills or these addresses:  http://archer2000.tripod.com/1930.html

 

  1. What was the biggest headline in the year 1930?
  2. What President was elected in 1932?  How many terms did he serve?  Who did he replace?
  3. What famous line from his Inaugural Address inspired bravery?
  4. What famous ban was lifted on December 31, 1933?

 

 

STATION 3

 

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/allusions_all.html

 

Use this address to answer the following questions on allusions:

 

  1. Who was John Dewey? (See Dewey Decimal System ch. 2)
  2. What does is say on the back of an Indian-head (penny)? (ch. 4)
  3. What was One Man's Family? (ch. 4)
  4. How many egg whites does it take to make a Lane cake? (ch. 8)
  5. What does Uncle Jack mean when he says “Let the cup pass from you”? (ch. 9)
  6. What is the mockingbird known for? (ch. 10)
  7. What did the ad for Brown's Mule say? (ch. 12)
  8. What are Rice Christians? (ch. 13)
  9. What two brands of soap were available at the Jitney Jingle? (ch. 15)
  10. Who was William Jennings Bryan? (ch. 16)
  11. What was meant by tryin' to sit with 'em? (ch. 24)
  12. What is Natural Chilean Nitrate? (ch. 26)
  13. What was the motto on the NRA Poster and what year was it declared unconstitutional?  (ch.27)
  14. What was the WPA? (ch. 27)

 

 

STATION 4

 

http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/resources/lessonplans/hs_es_emmett_till.htm

 

Use this address to answer the following questions on Emmett Till:

 

  1. How is Emmett Till described?
  2. Where was he from?
  3. Why is he killed?
  4. How is he killed?
  5. Why does his mother insist that the casket be open?
  6. Describe two ways the trial was unfair?
  7. What happens to those who killed him?

 

STATION 5

 

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm

 

Use this address to answer the following questions on “The Scottsboro Boys”

 

  1. Why did the Scottsboro boys end up in jail?
  2. Who was Haywood Patterson?
  3. Who were Victoria Price and Ruby Bates?
  4. How was Judge Horton different from the first trial judge?
  5. Describe three ways the trial(s) was unfair.
  6. What was the outcome of the first trial?
  7. Summarize the outcomes of the other trials?