Harper Lee Was Inspired by Her Alabama Childhood
While To Kill a Mockingbird is not an autobiography, there are definitely elements of the book that were inspired by the author’s real life. The novel is set in Maycomb, Alabama, which was based on the town Lee grew up in, Monroeville, Alabama.
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Lee was a tomboy growing up and was uncomfortable with traditional femininity, just like her main character Scout. She had a brother named Edwin who was four years older, just like Scout’s brother Jem. Lee even named the family Finch, which was her mother’s maiden name.