Preview

To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: The Life Of Harper Lee

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1020 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: The Life Of Harper Lee
Mary Katherine Talley
Ms. Alix Stelly
English 1
7 March 2017
The Life of Harper Lee Harper Lee is still one of America's most well known authors, not just because of her Pulitzer Prize winning novel, but because of the type of person she was. Lee was a civil rights enthusiast and was very interested in the 1960s movement (“Harper Lee: Childhood”). She became famous for her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which tells the story of a young girl in Maycomb, Alabama and the racism of the south. She lived a quiet and private life considering the amount of fame she had (“Harper Lee Biography”). Lee has made a huge impact on society by challenging her readers to think about civil rights differently.
Harper Lee was born in the spring of 1926 and grew …show more content…
The process of writing To Kill a Mockingbird was long and time consuming. Lee would write for up to twelve hours a day just to produce one page of her manuscript (Chen, Daryl). This novel is not only a coming of age novel, but it also includes the racial aspects of life in the south and reflects on her childhood. Many of the characters in the novel are based on real people in Lee’s life. More than one million copies of To Kill a Mockingbird are sold per year, and it has been translated into 40 or more languages (“Harper Lee Biography”). This is understandable considering the awards she has won in her lifetime.
Lee won her first award for To Kill a Mockingbird only one year after it was published. Not only did her novel win several awards, but it was also made into a movie in 1962. The movie won three awards and is still very popular today. She has also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2007 along with the Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction in 2015 for Go Set a Watchman (“Harper Lee Biography”). Although Lee is from a small town, she quickly became a legacy for her writing (“Harper …show more content…
When she was in Monroeville, she would spend her time on the water, fishing, and with wildlife (Chen, Daryl). Many people admired Lee for avoiding being in the limelight and wanting privacy (“Harper Lee Biography”). She never married but rather spread her love out to her friends and family (“To Kill a Mockingbird”). Lee would also make random acts of kindness by sending out anonymous donations to various charities. Although Lee took care of herself, in 2007 she had a stroke and her health issues worsened. February 19, 2016 was a mournful day for Harper Lee fans. Her death was said to be peaceful by dying in her sleep (“Harper Lee
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Southern Parallels: An Exploration of the Life of Harper Lee and the Lasting Impact of To Kill a Mockingbird
    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Southern Parallels: An Exploration of the Life of Harper Lee and the Lasting Impact of To Kill a Mockingbird

    Harper Lee is considered one of America’s most enigmatic and influential writers of the twentieth century. Lee’s popular novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, offers readers deep insight into the dynamics of an unconventional family and Southern lifestyle in the1930s. Harper Lee was born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama (Sparknotes.com). According to the author’s official website, Harper Lee was a descendant of famous Civil War general, Robert E. Lee, and daughter to a former newspaper editor turned state senator and practicing attorney. She studied law at the University of Alabama from 1945 to 1949 and spent a year at Oxford University Wellington Square as an exchange student (Harperlee.com). Dean Shackelford, author of “The Female Voice In To Kill a Mockingbird: Narrative Strategies In Film and Novel,” explains that To Kill A Mockingbird “portrays a young girl's love for her father and brother and the experience of childhood during the Great Depression in a racist, segregated society which uses superficial and materialistic values to judge outsiders, including the powerful character Boo Radley.” Harper Lee struck literary gold by creating parallel experiences between her life and her novel. Similarities between Lee’s relationships and experiences and that of the protagonist and the spotlight she places on important struggles of the time create a lasting impact on all her readers.…

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    6.03 Mla Style Research Paper Essay Example
    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages

    6.03 Mla Style Research Paper Essay Example

    Back in 1960, Harper Lee finally published her famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. There have been many debates on why this novel outshined others, although many sources say they have come to an answer. The conclusion was simply that book was relatable! It was not worked up to a ridiculous amount of illusory action or played up with gory violence. It spoke with severe truth, and an intensive storyline! Authors tend to base their stories, if not exactly, off of experiences they have had. Not only because familiarity is comforting, but it gives the writer a sense of real involvement in the world they have created. Writers do this because their work tends to sound and feel more factual, and genuine. Harper Lee’s National medal of Arts Winner, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a prime example of this phenomenon.…

    • 557 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Nell Harper Lee Research Paper
    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Nell Harper Lee Research Paper

    It soon became a common book for schools across America to have students read, save for a few schools in southern states who believed the book to portray southern white people in a negative light. Soon after its release in 1961, Lee won the Pulitzter Prize for Literature, making her the first woman since 1942 to receive it. The success of the book was widespread, and, one year later, the movie rights for it were bought by Universal Studios. A year after that, in 1962, the movie was released. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, winning four of them. After a while, however, the glamour started to fade and Nelle backed away from the…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Harper Lee Research Paper Essay Example
    • 779 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Harper Lee Research Paper Essay Example

    “Harper Lee was born in Monroevill, Alabama in 1926” (Hacht). “Lee was born to Frances Finch, who died when Lee was young, and was the daughter of a lawyer in Maycomb County, Amasa Coleman”(Moss, Wilson 390), who they referred to as “Atticus”. Lee was a “Tom-boy” growing up because she was the only girl in the family. “Truman Capote, famous writer, was a close childhood friend of Lee and is thought to have served as the model for Dill in the novel” (Hacht).…

    • 779 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Harper Lee Use Jim Crow Laws In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Harper Lee Use Jim Crow Laws In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama on April 28, 1926. During this time period a lot of racism was in action, the Jim Crow Laws were one of the most major events that Harper Lee had to live through. The Jim Crow Laws are a practice or policy of segregating or discriminating against blacks, as in public places, public vehicles, or employment. The majority of the people in her community were racist, but Lee knew the ways African Americans were treated just wasn’t right. Her father defended two black men accused of murdering a white storekeeper, but both clients were hung. Harper Lee uses both events from her own experiences and historical events, to form To Kill a Mockingbird. She uses characterizes characters in her novel off her…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Atticus Learned In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Is Atticus Learned In To Kill A Mockingbird

    To Kill a Mockingbird: a novel set in the Jim Crow south showing injustice and society through the eyes of a young girl, written by (Nelle) Harper Lee, and winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Lee started writing started writing at the University of Alabama newspaper and then pursued writing in New york. After working odd jobs for about eight years, and with the help of Truman Capote, Lee published the bestseller “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Scout is the main character in this novel as the son of Atticus Finch, sister to Jem Finch, friend to many, and the narrator. The whole story is shown through Scout’s eyes. She recognizes all of the injustice and problems with their society. She learns many lessons from Atticus and her many experiences that she has in Maycomb County. Atticus stood up for a negroe, John Robinson, who didn’t commit a crime, even though everyone was against him; he defended the mockingbird.…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Atticus Finch Character Analysis Essay
    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Atticus Finch Character Analysis Essay

    As of today, we still have problem with prejudice and racism towards blacks. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel illustrating the struggles of a racist town in Alabama. Characters are at a struggle to comprehend the way people act. Knowing this, they have to learn what is right and act accordingly. Throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, characters discover and begin to emphasize each other’s lives in large portions and in doing so, many characters develop and mature to understand the world they live in.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Harper Lee's Life and Work
    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Harper Lee's Life and Work

    Some major accomplishments Harper Lee made was one her book “How To Kill a Mockingbird” was prize-winning best seller her one and only novel.…

    • 357 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Harper Lee's Accomplishments
    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Harper Lee's Accomplishments

    She retreated from her public life and her last appearance was in 2007. In that same year, 2007, she met President George W. Bush at the white house. Harper lee never expected her novel to become a success. She made the news whenever she received an award, but that was because her appearances were rare. (Hensher 1). She gave only one recorded interview and kept the award speeches very brief. Most writers when their book becomes highly popular celebrate by going to interviews, book readings and signings, and taking in the publicity by doing all these things and more. The book can be turned into a movie and the author can celebrate success by going on talk shows or appearing at the movie…

    • 642 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Maturation
    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Atticus Maturation

    To Kill A Mockingbird, authored by Harper Lee, is an American novel of growth and maturation because it focuses on the character development of Scout as she comes to understand the world. This classic novel is set in a racially charged southern town during the Great Depression. The main character and narrator, a young girl named Scout, develops and changes from the conversations and actions that happen in the book. Scout’s direct maturation and learning of life lessons develops by witnessing the hypocrisy of her hometown Maycomb, Alabama, and her father, Atticus, being a major influence in her development.…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Boo Radley Courage
    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Boo Radley Courage

    To Kill A Mockingbird is a priceless and classic piece of American literature because it emphasizes symbolic changes that we as a country went through. Even though Atticus, Miss Maudie, Jem, Scout and Boo all grew up in a world full of hatred and racism, they overcame it by being respectful, influential, and courageous. It reminds us of how far we’ve come from the harsh past and helps us appreciate our freedom more.…

    • 665 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Class Warfare In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1211 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Class Warfare In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Harper Lee published an amazing novel in 1960 that would change lives for years to come. In her novel, Lee portrays her childhood through a story about a little girl and her family who all live in a small town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. The story revolves around the lives of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus. In the story, Harper Lee expresses one major theme: the only way to truly understand other people is by considering their perspective. This could resolve bigotry, racism, and class warfare in society.…

    • 1211 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is The Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Is The Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    To Kill a Mockingbird is a popular story written by Harper Lee and is considered, “of rare excellence...a novel of strong and contemporary national significance,” (Chicago Tribune). The book tells a story from the view of a young girl who…

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    dont open this paper
    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages

    dont open this paper

    To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a story of racial prejudice and social class set in a time when such narrow-mindedness was considered acceptable. Narrated and based on Jean Louise Finch and the many problems she and her brother, Jem, face in their years growing up; out of childhood innocence they come to the realization of the true evils of their community. Such as, false pretenses surrounding the innocence of two characters, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson, for which the community of Maycomb had long labeled and ridiculed for either their color or peculiar behavior patterns. Lee writes this novel about personal experiences she has growing up. Harper Lee is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of the brilliantly written To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee uses symbolism and foreshadowing to demonstrate courage is doing the right thing regardless of the outcome.…

    • 910 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird Position Paper
    • 543 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To Kill a Mockingbird Position Paper

    The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee took the world by storm in 1960s with a story about southern racism and discrimination. Although the novel focused on small town life in southern Alabama, it influenced the future and success of the Civil Rights Movement. Harper Lee wrote this novel in a childs point of view at the beginning of the Civil Rights Era when events such as the murder of Emmett Till, the lunch counter sit-ins, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott put Alabama at the center of the movement. Throughout this era there was a great deal of racial discrimination and the expectation that no one would try to argue with the whites assumed authority. In Lees book, the focus is centered on the conviction of Tom Robinson, a poor black man. He was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a notoriously poor white family in a small town called Maycomb. The protagonists father, Atticus, took on the case but only did so because otherwise, I couldnt hold up my head in town, I couldnt represent this county in the legislature, and I couldnt even tell you or Jem not to do something again. Atticus also struggled with the fact that he had no hope of winning due to the race of his client. Ts morbid, watching a poor devil on trial for his life. Look at all those folks, its like a Roman carnival. At the end of the trial, Tom was convicted and sentenced to death, despite undeniable evidence that he was innocent. These results shocked readers and reminded many of the Scottsboro trials and how unfair they were. In addition, the childs point of view on To Kill a Mockingbird allowed many white southerners to question the way the system was if even a child could point out its flaws. After these realizations, the famous novel was quickly made into a movie, expanding its audience even further. After the movies big debut, several significant events occurred, which shaped the Civil Rights Movement and America as we know it today. For example, within a few years,…

    • 543 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics