To kill a mocking bird
About chapter 1
Characters introduced
After introducing some family background, the story jumped to the summer 1933, when Jem and Scout met Dill, they started to discuss about lure Boo Radley , a mysterous neighbor.
Dill was fascinated by Boo, he then dared Jem to run over to touch Boo's house, Jem did it there was no sign of movement, but Scout thinks that she saw something moving slightly, as if someone was peeking out.
Scout starts to explain her family history, starting off with introducing her family members and how her ancestors came to Maycomb.
Simon Finch, ancestors of Scouts family in America
Atticus Finch, Scouts dad, who became a lawyer in Maycomb
Jack Finch , Scout's brother
Alexandra Finch, Scout's sister
Scout , the narrator of the story
Dill, a friend of Scout and Jem who lives nearby
Jem, Scout's brother
Calpurnia , house keeper of the Finch's house
Geographical setting
1933 is when Great Depression struck US, the unemployment rate in the US was high, but still people fled from other countries to the US to look for a job , and the US banking system which was under great strain was propped up by the US government ( US banking act of 1933 )to try and stop the panic of people withdrawing their money from the banks.
Therefore since the setting of the story is in 1933, it would surely mention about the different impacts of great depression on the society.
Purpose of the chapter
To give a brief introduction on the Finch family and also about the year and where this story is set.
The uncertainty of the action in the Boo Radley, prepared the introduction of the 2nd chapter.