Harper Lee presents themes of racism, justice, and moral growth in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Through the experiences of Scout and her father Atticus, the novel explores the destructive impact of prejudice and the importance of empathy and understanding. Lee uses characters like Boo Radley and Tom Robinson to illustrate the complexity of human nature and the need to challenge societal norms.

Jem's final statement that makes Scout go along with the plan to peek in the Radley window is when he says, "I ain't going back in Finch's Landing 'til I can bring him with me." This implies that Jem is determined to understand Boo Radley and not let fear dictate his actions, which inspires Scout to join him.

Harper Lee creates and sustains tension in chapters 18 and 19 of "To Kill a Mockingbird" through the intense courtroom scenes where the trial of Tom Robinson unfolds. The narrative tension is heightened by the stark contrast between the unfair treatment of Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of rape, and the innocence and vulnerability of his accuser, Mayella Ewell. Lee builds suspense by revealing the biases and prejudices of the townspeople as the trial progresses, keeping readers on edge as they witness the injustice unfolding in the courtroom.

Harper Lee decided not to pursue a career in law after realizing she had no passion for it. Instead, she pursued writing, which led to her literary success with the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Lee Stafford attended Higham Lane School in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England.

Harper Lee wants readers to see Atticus Finch as a principled and compassionate man who stands up for justice and equality, even in the face of adversity. He serves as a moral compass in the novel, advocating for empathy and understanding in a society marked by prejudice and intolerance. Lee portrays Atticus as a flawed but deeply admirable character, encouraging readers to consider the importance of integrity and moral courage.

1. One rumor is that Harper Lee actually helped Truman Capote write parts of his book "In Cold Blood," though this has never been definitively proven.

2. Another rumor is that Capote and Lee had a falling out after Capote's success with "In Cold Blood," leading to tension in their friendship.

Harper Lee was not known to participate in many extracurricular activities. She was a private person and focused primarily on her writing career. She did maintain a close friendship with Truman Capote and supported him in his literary endeavors.

Harper Lee discusses the Finch family history at the beginning of the novel to provide context and background information about the main characters, particularly Atticus Finch and his children, Scout and Jem. This history sets the stage for the themes of moral integrity, social justice, prejudice, and empathy that are central to the story. By understanding the Finch family's roots and values, readers gain insight into the characters and the community in which they live.

Harper Lee did not have many recorded extracurricular activities during her time in school. She was known to be a reserved and private individual.

Truman Capote served as a close friend and mentor to Harper Lee, providing support and guidance throughout her writing process. Capote's work, particularly "In Cold Blood," inspired Lee to venture into the true crime genre, resulting in her writing "To Kill a Mockingbird." Additionally, Capote's success in the literary world motivated Lee to pursue her own writing career.

Harper Lee used the first-person narrative point of view in "To Kill a Mockingbird" to provide readers with a child's perspective on the events unfolding, allowing for innocence and moral clarity amid a racially charged setting. This differs from Mark Twain's use of first-person narrative in "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," where Huck's voice offers a satirical commentary on society and morality, reflecting a more rebellious and questioning tone.

The correct plural of Finch is Finches. It is not Finch's as is commonly thought, as an an 's marks a possessive, as in "The Finch's Car". However, "Jem and Atticus are both Finches." is the correct plural.

Harper Lee's neighbor growing up was Truman Capote. The two authors developed a childhood friendship that influenced their writing careers. Lee even helped Capote with research for his book "In Cold Blood."

Harper Lee contrasts the poor Cunningham family with other wealthy families in Maycomb in her novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." Through the character of Atticus Finch, Lee challenges stereotypes and prejudices associated with social class by depicting the Cunningham family as respectable and hardworking despite their economic struggles. This contrast serves to highlight themes of empathy, compassion, and the complexities of human nature.

Harper Lee named Scout's father Atticus after a Roman poet named Titus Pomponius Atticus, who was known for his impartiality and wisdom. By naming him Atticus, Lee wanted to signify the character's qualities of fairness, wisdom, and integrity.

Harper Lee's childhood friend, Truman Capote, passed away in 1984. They had a falling out in their later years, but Capote continued his writing career up until his death.

Harper Lee used the metaphor of the mockingbird in her novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" to symbolize innocence, beauty, and vulnerability. Just as mockingbirds are harmless creatures that bring joy through their song, Lee suggests that certain individuals in society, such as Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, are also innocent and should be protected from harm. By using the mockingbird as a symbol, Lee highlights the theme of empathy and understanding towards those who are unfairly judged and mistreated.

Scout's class is lectured about Hitler's persecution of the Jews and on the virtues of equality and democracy. The satirical points are made by Scout who asks Jem how Miss Gates can preach about equality when she came out of the courthouse after the trial and told Miss Stephanie Crawford that "it was about time that someone taught the blacks in town a lesson". This reveals the education system at that time to be as hypocritical as the missionary circle (in Chapter 24).

According to Powell's Books, an online bookseller, there have been over 30,000,000 copies of To Kill A Mockingbird sold so far. It is presently ranked in the top 2,000 titles sold on Amazon, so that number changes rapidly.

Harper Lee uses darkness and light in chapter 6 of "To Kill a Mockingbird" to create suspense by contrasting the innocence of the children playing in the dark with the ominous presence of Boo Radley. The unknown and mysterious nature of the night, along with the flickering streetlights and shifting shadows, heightens the sense of tension and anticipation as the children venture closer to the Radley house. Lee utilizes the interplay between darkness and light to build a sense of foreboding and unease, adding to the overall suspense of the chapter.

Harper Lee's goals as a writer were to accurately capture the human experience, address issues of social justice and inequality, and create meaningful stories that resonate with readers. She aimed to provoke thought and stimulate conversations through her writing.

Harper Lee dropped her first name, Nelle, as a professional choice to write under a gender-neutral pseudonym, which she believed would appeal to a wider audience. By using her middle name, Harper, she was able to distance herself from her gender and racial biases associated with her previous name.

Harper Lee was brought up in the Methodist faith. She attended a Methodist church in Monroeville, Alabama, where she lived most of her life.

Harper Lee included the Halloween story in "To Kill a Mockingbird" to add suspense and tension to the novel. It also serves as a way to showcase the prejudices and fears of the town's residents, providing insight into the struggle between good and evil present in the story. Additionally, the Halloween story contributes to the overall theme of innocence and loss of innocence in the book.