It takes place in the fictional "tired old town" of Maycomb, Alabama, the seat of Maycomb County.

Jem's elbow is broken in a violent encounter with Bob Ewell.

Scout's friend Dill was inspired by Lee's childhood friend and neighbor, Truman Capote. Lee, in turn, was the model for a character in Capote's first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, published in 1948.

The first object Scout discovers is a piece of Wrigley's Double-Mint gum.

Calpurnia is a strong, positive female influence in Jem & Scout's lives.

Amid the confusion someone comes to the children's rescue. The mysterious man carries Jem home, where Scout realizes that he is Boo Radley.

The mad dog in Harper Lee's novel is symbolic of the "madness" that Atticus has to face once he takes on Tom Robinson's case.

Although Jem believes that Mrs. Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her morphine addiction.

Although Atticus establishes that his accusers are lying, the jury convicts Tom anyway.

Tom is shot and killed while trying to escape from prison.