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Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird in the form of a novel. She began writing it in the 1950s and submitted it for publication in 1957 but she was told to rewrite it as the publishers felt that her original work appeared to read more like a series of short stories. After working on her manuscript Harper Lee resubmitted it for publication and it was finally published as one long novel in 1960. It was immediately successful, winning many literary awards, the most prestigious of which was the Pulitzer Prize. The Pulitzer Prize is usually awarded to a novel which portrays American life and this is certainly something Harper Lee’s novel does. Since its publication it has sold over 30 million copies and in 2008 it was voted the greatest novel of all time.

When analysing form in To Kill a Mockingbird you can refer to:

• the type of text
• the style of writing

Evidence and explanation of the form used

Writing To Kill a Mockingbird as a long novel gave Harper Lee more opportunity to develop her investigation into the important themes that she wished to discuss, such as courage and prejudice. Novels also give wider scope for character development. This meant that throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee could show the way in which Scout and Jem mature as the novel progresses. It also meant that she could take her time presenting the reader with quite complex characters like Atticus about whom there is much to write.

The form of the novel appeals to readers as it means they are able to thoroughly develop their understanding of the characters and themes and fully appreciate the issues that initially inspired Harper Lee to write To Kill a Mockingbird.