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History And Literature: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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History And Literature: To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
History and Literature: The Connection History and literature seem to go hand-in-hand. In fact, one is rarely affected without the other being affected as well. A great example is the struggle of African Americans throughout history and the effect it has had on literature of that time. In her novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Harper Lee uses historical examples and situations to bring to light the horrors of prejudice in Southern society that have gone on for years, and makes obvious the need for change.
The book itself is based in the 30s. During this time, racial tension concerning African Americans and white societies was at an all-time high. Due to the stock market crash, there was major unemployment, leading to heated arguments and …show more content…
According to Gilbert Muyumbi, “The very definition of history encompasses literature. History is the study of past human events and activities.” (Muyumbu, 2012) So it’s not a surprise that the events that happened in the 30s and through the 60s influenced Harper Lee extensively. From the conviction of the Scottsboro boys and their relationship with the case of fictional Tom Robinson to the prejudice acts that followed even decades after that, Lee saw many things that influenced her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and to this day the lessons to be learned in her book are still relevant. The book itself is an example of not just great literature, but a great representation of the historical battle for civil rights and how things really were only 60 years ago.
References
Linder, D. O. (2013, Dec. 28). "Scottboro Boys.". Retrieved from UMKC: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/fTrials/scottsboro/SB_acct.html
Murder of Emmitt Till. (2013, Dec. 28). Retrieved from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/filmmore/index.html
Muyumbu, G. (2012, July 30). The Close Relationship Between History and Literature. Retrieved from Gilbert Muyumbu Blog: http://www.gilbertmuyumbu.net/the-close-relationship-between-history-and-literature/
Race Ralations in 1930s and 1940s. (2013, Dec 28). Retrieved from loc.gov: http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/depwwii/race/
Vox, L. (2013, Dec. 26). Civil Rights Movement 1951-1959. Retrieved from about.com:
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