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Harper Lee took some inspiration from her own life. Harper Lee's father defended two black people in 1919.
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race was a major component of the story.
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Harper Lee was also a neighbor of Truman Capote, who inspired her character, Dill.
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Much of the book comes from her own life... also, she was born in alabama. So she was in the deep south.
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Atticus was partially based on Lee's father, who was also a lawyer (he defended two black men who were tried for murder, and did not practice law again after the men were executed). Scout is based on Lee herself.