Embedded in the heart of America lives racism, prejudice, and severe oppression against people who fail to fit into the norm standards of society. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression Era, these traits of life were recurrent, especially in the South. Harper Lee recognized this and wrote what would become one of the most treasured pieces in the history of literature: To Kill A Mockingbird (1960). In small town, Maycomb County, located in Alabama lives Atticus Finch and his two children Jem and Scout. Jeremy “Jem” Finch is a young boy who spends his time playing games with Scout and their friend Dill Harris. They daringly venture by the residence of Boo Radley, the town’s asylum case, who hasn’t been seen by anyone in Maycomb for …show more content…
Jem refuses to admit it, but he is terrified of Boo and the horror stories that lurk around him. When Dill challenges him to knock on the doors of the Radley Place, he unsurprisingly follows through because “he loved his honor more than his head” (13). The importance of preserving his reputation and pride overpowers his fear. After the incident, Jem becomes more assertive and constantly boasts about his accomplished feat; he believes that it was an act of bravery, conquering something that no one else dared to do. Dill incessantly tests Jem’s willingness to take on new risks and the Boo Radley Game is invented. The children mock Boo in front of the entire town on a daily basis, and Jem believes he is proving a point by doing a harmless, comical thing. Atticus catches them in the action, yet “[he] hasn’t said [they] couldn’t, therefore [they] could...Jem had thought of a way around it” (41). Like most kids, Jem is brutally honest and goes off of what he hears and what is in plain sight. His doings are prompted by the innocence he still has as well as his lack of exposure to the darker sides of the world. He is unable to make higher-level connections or construct advanced ideas about his environment yet, showing that he is no more mature than the next child. Monsters are easy to believe, especially as a child, yet finding real proof of the misshapen, gruesome fiends is a near impossible task. Living in a southern small town, Jem is prone to
One reason the readers have come to love Jem Finch is the many personality traits he has shown throughout the book. These personality traits also happen to further themes in the book. He’s innocent, idealistic, and responsible. Jem’s innocence is one of the first traits readers are introduced to. It is shown when Jem spreads and believes rumors about Boo Radley: “Jem hissed. ‘Scout, how’s he gonna know what we’re doin’? Besides, I don’t think he’s still there. He died years ago and they stuffed him up a chimney.’” (Lee 39). In this scene Jem, Dill, and Scout are playing “‘Boo Radley.’” (Lee 38). Jem suggested the plan to the others as foolish game where they play out roles of the Radley household. Jem’s action in doing
Jem’s relationship with Scout changes as he matures in the story. He goes from a fellow conspirator and playmate for his sister to her protector, resembling Atticus more and more with every chapter. In chapter 4, they are playing a game enacting what they perceive Boo Radley to be like. Atticus interrupts the game and inquires whether the game was about the Radley’s or not. Jem lies, saying no in response. In page 40, Scout yells in confusion and Jem remarks, “Shut up! He’s gone in the living room; he can hear us in there.” This shows his mischievous behaviour and the fact that he is still
''Jem gave a reasonable description of Boo: Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an
Next, Scout and Jem learn how to have empathy for those who are misunderstood. Scout and Jem learn this through experiences with Boo Radley. Everyone in Macomb makes Boo out to be a mysterious and extremely dangerous, animal-like individual. The kids hear new rumors daily about Boo, and they begin to get curious. Scout, Jem and Dill all try to spy on Boo. They are determined to get him to come out of his house so that they can see the monster that everyone claims he is. Atticus soon catches on to what the kids are doing. He tells the kids that they need to leave Boo alone. What they hear about Boo
Furthermore, on morals, Jem takes his father's advice and steps into other people’s places and sees things from their point of view. One example of this would be how Jem comes to the realization that Arthur Radley, the town shut in who is also known as Boo, stays in his home because he wants to. When realizing this, Jem not only creates a moral but also begins to think for himself instead of believing the lies told by the town gossips. In the beginning of the story Jem believes Arthur has stayed in his house all this time because he is forced to. Jem also believes that Boo is insane and has tried to kill his own family. Nonetheless, Jem does step into Arthur’s shoes and see the town from his perspective. By doing this Jem sees the town as a hateful place filled with judge full people and explains it to Scout that Arthur stays inside because he wants too. This actualization of Arthur ensures that Jem uses this technique with many other situations.
Few people can imagine living during the time of racial segregation or the great depression. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird takes place from the year 1933 to 1995. During this time, two siblings named Scout and Jem Finch are living in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. While growing up, they go through many events and learn numerous lessons from their father, Atticus Finch. Throughout the novel, Jem goes through many experiences that change the way he perceives the town of Maycomb and it’s people.
Jem initially acts childish but starts to think and act like an adult to decisions where he previously would take the immature route. Jem demonstrates his child-like thinking with his vivid imagination. Jem’s imagination has distorted his image of Boo Radley a neighbor with a mysterious past Jem fictitiously describes Boo as a person
Another character in the book that the Mockingbird represents is Atticus Finch. Atticus is the father of the main character, Scout Finch. Atticus is the man that decides he would risk his entire reputation to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus knows that he would not be able to win the trial, but he is so kind-hearted that he goes on to defend this trial. On page 194, Lee writes “‘You’ve got everything to lose from this, Atticus.
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the characterization of Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout helps to reveal the THEME of the book. As shown in the beginning of the book, we find that both Dill and Jem are planning to peep through the window of the Radley’s house to see if they can catch a glimpse of Boo Radley. With Atticus being absorbed into his readings and it being late at night, helps them get to the Radley’s house without being detected and have a better view within the dark house. During the time of planning, Scout had tried to plead Jem, but was cut short where he ended up saying, “Scout, I’m tellin’ you for the last time, shut your trap or go home– I declare to the Lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl every day!’ With that,
Have you ever wondered what person truly represents the meaning of courage and strength? That person is Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. The reader appreciates and looks up to Atticus because he demonstrates his mental endurance and courage through standing up to society and doing what he thinks is right, and the song “I Won’t Back Down” buy Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers explains that these qualities are admirable which is why Atticus is such a likeable and relatable character.
The term “saint-like” is given to people who help other people without realizing and expect nothing in return. The following quote strongly explains the qualities that Atticus Finch’s character possesses. “Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people. (Helen Keller)” In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus, teaches his community what the meaning of character is. Throughout the whole story Atticus Finch is fighting for equality and along the way he raises his children into well rounded people by himself with no mother figure around. Atticus teaches not only his kids, but the whole community, that skin color does not make a person who they are. Atticus is saint-like in his code of honor as a lawyer, a father, and as a man.
Introduction- To Kill a Mocking Bird takes place in maycomb, AL in the 1930’s. The main character is a girl named Jean Louise Finch, but they call her scout. Scout is Atticus’s daughter. Everyone in town is scared of a character name Boo Radley, everyone thinks he is a monster and there are many rumors about him. But he isn't what people think he is, in the beginning he gives the kids items without knowing it was him. Until someone blocks the hole with cement to stop Boo. Throughout out the story scout becomes more wise and caring, but Atticus doesn't change no matter what happens, stays calm and thinks straight, thinks before acting. He doesn't fight and doesn't disrespect anyone in Maycomb.
Jem’s naivety is shown when he has preconceived opinions toward their reclusive and mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. Boo Radley is thought of as an eerie man by the children in the community due to Boo’s appearance in court when Boo was a teenager. Jem begins to understand why Boo is so reclusive after witnessing Tom Robinson's trial realizing what Boo went through when he was a teenager. While talking to Scout and Dill in front of the Finch’s house, Jem says he won't back out on a dare to go and touch the Radley's house, making a comparison of Boo coming out to making a turtle come out, “Dill said striking a match under a turtle was hateful. ‘Ain’t hateful, just persuades him---‘s not like like you’d chunk him in the fire,’ Jem growled. ‘How do you know a match don't hurt him?’ ‘Turtles can’t feel stupid,’ said Jem. ‘Were you ever a turtle, huh?’ ” (Lee, 18). Jem’s naivety is shown by the insensitivity he displays towards Boo Radley after comparing him to a turtle, “Turtles can’t feel stupid”. Jem’s insensitivity is evident because he states that Boo cannot feel even though Jem has never met Boo. Jem compares Boo metaphorically to a turtle because Boo is hidden in his house, just as a turtle hides in its shell, and the only way to get him out is to present a threat. Jem has this preconceived opinion
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel written by Harper Lee. It is set in America in the 1930s during the Great Depression, a time of economic decline after World War II. The novel follows a young girl called Scout Finch and her brother Jem as they learn about the prejudice and racism within their society of Maycomb County. The children and their widowed father, Atticus have a unique relationship that includes the teaching of valuable life lessons and unusual, maternal nurturing.
Jem her older brother learned many of his own as well. At the start of the novel Jem was the playful older brother but as the novel progressed he became more mature and wiser. At the start of the novel Jem was very gullible and found himself believing far fetched rumors about Arthur “Boo” Radley: “ Boo was about six and a half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch…” (13). However, as the story drew nearer to its end Jem finally realizes that the rumors he heard were not true and to not base his opinions off of what others say. “Thank you for my children, author,”(276).