Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

1. Discuss the role of empathy in the novel. How do characters like Atticus Finch and Scout demonstrate empathy towards others, particularly those who are marginalized or misunderstood?

2. Analyze the character of Atticus Finch. What qualities make him a moral compass in the story, and how does he uphold his principles in the face of adversity?

3. Explore the theme of racial injustice in the novel. How does Harper Lee depict the systemic racism of the Jim Crow South, and what impact does it have on the characters and the community of Maycomb?

4. Discuss the significance of the mockingbird as a symbol in the novel. What does it represent, and how do various characters, such as Boo Radley and Tom Robinson, embody the innocence associated with the mockingbird?

5. Consider the theme of loss of innocence. How do Scout and Jem navigate their understanding of morality and prejudice as they grow up in Maycomb? What events contribute to their loss of innocence, and what do they learn about the complexities of the adult world?

6. Analyze the character of Boo Radley. How does he serve as a symbol of both fear and compassion in the novel, and what does his role reveal about the nature of prejudice and empathy?

7. Discuss the portrayal of gender roles in the novel, particularly through the character of Scout. How does Scout challenge traditional expectations of femininity and masculinity, and what role does gender play in shaping her experiences and interactions with others?

8. Explore the theme of social class and its impact on the characters in Maycomb. How do socioeconomic differences influence the dynamics within the community, and what does it reveal about power and privilege?

9. Consider the role of education and the importance of moral teachings in the novel. How do characters like Atticus and Miss Maudie instill values of empathy, courage, and justice in Scout and Jem, and how does their guidance shape the children's understanding of right and wrong?

10. Reflect on the relevance of "To Kill a Mockingbird" in contemporary society. How do the novel's themes of racism, empathy, and morality resonate with issues facing society today, and what lessons can be drawn from the story?

Harper Lee, born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama, was an American author best known for her novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." She was the youngest of four children born to Amasa Coleman Lee, a lawyer, and Frances Cunningham Finch Lee, a homemaker. Lee's upbringing in the racially segregated South deeply influenced her writing and the themes explored in her work.

After graduating from high school, Lee attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, before transferring to the University of Alabama to study law. However, she eventually left law school without completing her degree and moved to New York City to pursue a career in writing.

In New York, Lee worked various jobs to support herself while she wrote fiction. She befriended fellow writer Truman Capote, who would later serve as the inspiration for the character Dill in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Lee also began work on her own novel, drawing inspiration from her childhood experiences in the South.

Lee's debut novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," was published in 1960 and became an immediate critical and commercial success. The novel, set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, explores themes of racial injustice, morality, and the loss of innocence through the eyes of young Scout Finch. "To Kill a Mockingbird" won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 and has since become a classic of American literature, beloved by readers of all ages.

Despite the overwhelming success of her first novel, Lee maintained a private and reclusive lifestyle, rarely granting interviews or making public appearances. She shied away from the spotlight and focused on her writing, though she never published another full-length novel during her lifetime.

In 2015, more than five decades after the publication of "To Kill a Mockingbird," Lee's publisher announced the release of "Go Set a Watchman," a novel written by Lee in the 1950s and intended as a sequel to her debut. The novel sparked controversy due to its portrayal of the character Atticus Finch, but it nonetheless became a bestseller upon its release.

Harper Lee passed away on February 19, 2016, at the age of 89 in Monroeville, Alabama. Though she only published one full-length novel during her lifetime, her impact on American literature and her legacy as the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" endure. Her work continues to be celebrated for its timeless exploration of social justice, empathy, and the human experience in the American South.