What is revealed that is confusing about Mr. Underwood in Chapter 16? How does this relate to one of the themes in the book? (Sanya)

In chapter 16, readers discover more about Mr. Underwood's character; specifically that he backed up Atticus, even though he previously hatted Negroes. Mr. Underwood displays an act of empathy in this scene. The morning after Atticus returns from guarding Tom Robinson, from the gang that potentially aimed to lynch him, Aunt Alexandra makes an important statement. She claims that the children didn't need to go, because Mr. Underwood was positioned as backup. Atticus then states, "You know its a funny thing about Braxton... He despises Negroes, won't have one near him," (Lee 209). Harper Lee uses language like "despises" and "won't have one near him", in this scene. Clearly Braxton, didn't even consider a Negro worthy of his attention, and had extremely hateful thoughts towards them. Braxton seems to have a change of thought, since he recently attempts to protect Atticus from the gang. He feels empathy for Atticus. Empathy is the act of "stepping into another persons shoes", or trying to feel and relate to another person. Mr. Underwood assessed the situation Atticus was in, and had felt empathy.

Overall, Mr. Underwood had a change in heart in the gang scene, because of empathy. Empathy is a powerful theme and emotion in To Kill A Mockingbird. Readers get to see this emotion displayed in different characters, and actions throughout the book.

Chapter 14/15: In chapter 15, Atticus is visited by two groups of men. Explain the situations and the intentions of each group. (Tushar)

In this chapter, the two groups of men that visit Atticus want very different things; one wants to give Tom Robinson a fair trial, and the other wants to attack Tom before he ever had his trial. After a long day of phone calls, Mr. Heck Tate comes to the Finch’s home to deliver some news. When the men were speaking outside, Scout was inside so she could only hear snippets of their conversation. She recalls Mr. Tate saying, “…moving him to the county jail tomorrow…I don’t look for any trouble, but I can’t guarantee there won’t be any…” (Lee 194).  The trouble that he is referring to is most probably people who are against Atticus taking the case and those who firmly that Tom Robinson doesn’t deserve a trial. Mr. Link Deas later mentions, “It’s that Old Sarum bunch I'm worried about…” (Lee 194). This also references some sort of group that hates black people. Later in the chapter, Atticus meets another group of people at the county jail, but these people have a very different intention than the first group of men. When the men first encounter Atticus at Tom Robinson’s cell, they want him to move out of the way. Scout hears a man saying, “You know what we want… Get aside from the door” (Lee 202). The way the man says this implies that these men don’t want to talk to Tom, but rather hurt him. Atticus knows this because he later tells Tom, “They won’t bother you anymore” (Lee 206). This statement also adds to the fact that the second group of men didn’t believe that Tom deserved a trial, and they felt that they needed to take justice into their own hands by ending Tom. The first group of men wanted to protect Tom, whereas the second one wanted to kill Tom. 

Chapter 14/15: In chapter 15, Atticus is visited by two groups of men. Explain the situations and the intentions of each group. (Gillian)

Two groups of men talk to Atticus in the chapter 15, both with two very different objectives of either helping or hurting Atticus. At the beginning of chapter 15, Atticus meets a group of men outside of his home, Heck Tate explains to him, “‘...movin’ him to the county jail tomorrow,’ Mr. Tate was saying, ‘I don’t look for any trouble, but I can’t guarantee there won’t be any...” (Lee 194). Mr. Tate and the rest of the group came to Atticus to warn him how they had to move Tom Robinson to the county jail. They did this because they knew that there may be some trouble from the other folk that live in Maycomb, and that they might come after Tom. Heck and his friends came to Atticus trying to help and warn him. After they leave, Atticus comes back inside. Jem is terrified, thinking that they were a gang, but Atticus explains to him that “‘No son, those were our friends” (Lee 196). This statement reveals to the reader that the “gang” was just trying to assist Atticus and tell him that something bad could be coming for him and Tom. The other group, had an extremely different goal. Atticus expected them to come after Tom, so he stationed himself outside of the county jail the night that Tom was moved in. While Atticus is sitting, four cars roll up near him, and a group of men surrounds him. They say to him, “‘You know what we want,’ another man said, ‘Get aside from the door Mr. Finch’” (Lee 202). Due to other information revealed by the men, the audience learns that the men are after Tom Robinson, and Atticus is guarding him. It isn’t shown what their true motive and goal is, but inferences can reveal that the men wanted to kill Tom. The two groups of men in chapter 15 that came to spoke to Atticus both wanted very different things, revealed by context clues and evidence from the text. One group wanted to warn him about people coming after Tom, while the other wanted to kill Tom Robinson.

Chapter 14-15: Explain what Dill means in the last line of chapter 14. Is this surprising to you? (Cam)

In the last line of chapter 14, Dill says, “Maybe he doesn’t have anywhere to run off to…” (Lee 192) when answering Scout about why Boo Radley has never run away from home. This conversation takes place in Scout’s room after Scout questions Dill about why he ran away from home. Dill explains to Scout that he ran away because his family doesn’t care about him or need him and he feels ignored. He always feels as if he doesn’t contribute to the family. As Scout and Dill are talking, Dill says, “...they do get along better without me, I can’t help them any. They ain’t mean.” (Lee 191). Dill’s parents buy him all of the things he wants, but they want him to be more independent and to play by himself or out playing baseball with other kids. Scout feels the opposite of this. She tells Dill that her family is always paying attention to her and she often feels that she has too much attention. She says, “I was fixin’ to run off tonight because they were all there. You don’t want’ em around you all the time, Dill…” (Lee 190). During the conversation, Scout wonders what her life would be like if her family didn’t need her, and she can’t understand why Dill would run away.  She can’t imagine that his family doesn’t need him, so she thinks his family must be mean. Dill is trying to make up excuses for why he ran away from home when all he wants to do is spend time with Scout and the Finches. What Dill means in the last line of the chapter is that, since Boo (Arthur) Radley knows no one else in the community other than his father, he can’t run away. He has nowhere to go. He has to stay in his home or else he will be alone and frightened. It is not surprising to me that Boo Radley can't run away because he has nowhere to run off to. This isn't surprising because Boo knows practically no one in Maycomb and if he did try to run away, his family wouldn't even care. Dill is admitting that he wouldn’t have run away unless he had somewhere better to go to.

Chapter 14/15: What happens in this chapter that causes a fight between Jem and Scout? What does this reveal about their relationship? How is this furthered later in the chapter when Dill arrives? CC

Leading up to this chapter, Jem has recently turned twelve and with his new age, he has gained a new personality. Jem is trying to act more responsible and more like the young man he believes he should be. However, Scout isn’t all that keen on Jem’s new behaviour.

“‘It’s different with grown folks, we--’ His maddening superiority was unbearable these days” (Lee 184). Scout notices him growing up and Jem keeps treating Scout like a little girl, even though she is only a few years his junior. This leads to their brawl.

Scout angers Aunt Alexandra, after expressing her own opinion a bit too harshly. Afterwards, Jem takes Scout upstairs to chastise her, “‘Now I mean it, Scout, you antagonize Aunty and I’ll--I’ll spank you.’ With that I was gone” (Lee 184). Scout knows that she messed up with Aunt Alexandra, but she knows that Jem could have easily done the same thing. When Jem disciplines her, Scout realizes just how much Jem has changed and evokes a fight with him.

Soon after, Dill is discovered underneath Scout’s bed. He’s escaped from his home, and refuses to go back. He pleads to Jem and Scout not to let anyone know about his arrival. Scout readily agrees but Jem doesn’t, “Dill’s eyes flickered at Jem, and Jem looked at the floor. Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood” (Lee 187-188). Jem alerts Atticus to Dill’s presence thus disregarding Dill’s pleas. Lee writes “the remaining code of our childhood” (188). Jem ignored what Dill and Scout said to do what is responsible, instead of putting his friends and family first. Even though he is helping Dill, he still told on him.

Jem may have only aged a year but to Scout and Dill he could have aged fifty. They are starting to grow apart, hanging on by a line, and it is only a matter of time before that line snaps.

Chapter 12/13: Explain what Scout means when she says, “There was indeed a caste system in Maycomb” (175). What is a caste system, and how does it work in Maycomb, according to Scout?  (Mac)

When Scout says that there is a Caste System in Maycomb it means that how you're perceived and the wealth of your family will decide if you will be poor or rich. A caste system “is a class structure that is determined by birth. Loosely, it means that in some societies, if your parents are poor, you're going to be poor, too. Same goes for being rich, if you're a glass-half-full person.” In Chapter 13 scout says “There was indeed a caste system in Maycomb but to my mind it worked this way: the older citizens, the present generation of people who had lived side by side for years and years, were utterly predictable to one another: they took for granted attitudes, character shadings, even gesture..”(Lee 175). I think what Scout is saying is that if you are born into a rich respected family you don't have to worry about anything. That they don’t think about what they do and take everything for “granted.” Do you think something similar to the Caste System happens today? Why?

Chapter 12/13: What do you learn about Calpurnia in chapter 12? What does Scout realize about her? (Mali W.)

In this chapter, Calpurnia becomes a more involved and deep character and acts as the bridge between the black and white world of Maycomb for Scout and Jem. In the beginning of the chapter, Scout is very upset about Jems comment about her being not “girly” enough and she goes to Calpurnia. Calpurnia responds with comforting words, “Don’t you fret too much over Mister Jem...Baby, I just can’t help it if Mister Jem is growin’ up” (Lee, 153). In the opening chapter, Scout explains how she used to fight with Calpurnia and how Calpurnia favorited Jem. Now Scout treats her as a mother figure and finds her when she needs help. She looks up to Calpurnia. Adding to this, Calpurnia acts like Jem and Scout’s mother when Atticus is away. She dresses them up and takes them to her black church. Lula, a church member, was very resistant but Calpurnia stood up to her and protected the kids. Calpurnia also acts as the bridge between the black and white world for Jem and Scout. During their time at church they realize how different and similar the two worlds are. Both churches pray to the same god and sing the same hymns but many blacks do not have access to good education, so they cannot read and instead repeat the hymns. Calpurnia was fortunate enough to be taught how to read by Jem and Scout’s grandfather. This also revealed how she had been connected to the family for generations. She grew up and worked on Finch’s landing before becoming the help for Atticus. The reader also learns that she has a son Zeebo, the Maycomb trash collector. Overall, Calpurnia becomes a more complex character as the reader sees her and Scout’s relationship grow and she exposes the Finch children to black culture.

Chapters 12/13: What does Scout learn (and the reader) through the trip to the church about the divisions in Maycomb County (Julia)

During Scout’s trip to the church, she views racial divisions from the point of view of black people in Maycomb County for the first time.  Scout and Jem go to the church because Calpurnia is taking care of them. Calpurnia is enthusiastic about this: “‘How ‘bout it?’ grinned Calpurnia,” because she is excited for them to see another part of her life (Lee 156). She also knows that Scout and Jem very rarely see any perspective other than a white one, when it comes to Maycomb events, and wants them to get an education on both sides of the story.  The members of the church have differing opinions on racial divisions. Lula, an opposing woman says “they got their church, we got our’n,” which Scout has never heard before from a black person (Lee 158). She has always seen the views of why the races should be separate from the view of white people, but now she has a view of it from all sides. Finally, Scout talks to Calpurnia at the end of the chapter. They discuss how each of the races are more comfortable hearing voices and language that sounds like their own. “Folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em,” (Lee 167). This shows Scout how the people in Maycomb - black and white - are more at ease with people who share their race and culture. The quote especially shows the African-American side of things; they want their own to sound like them so that they can have something else in common. From her journey to the church, Scout learns about the perspective of black people on race, which she has never seen or heard before.

Why is it appropriate to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird? Explain (Chp. 10-11) Jack P

            It is okay to kill a mad dog but not a mockingbird because a mad dog is dangerous and harmful and a mockingbird is peaceful and joyful. Atticus wouldn't teach the kids how to shoot their air rifles that they got for Christmas. Atticus says that he knows the kids will shoot at birds, while he would much rather have them shoot tin cans in the backyard. The one lesson that he teaches the children is to never shoot a mockingbird. "Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy." (Lee 119) Atticus says that if they were to kill a mockingbird, it would be a sin. He explains that the birds sing their hearts out for the people of Maycomb and that they do nothing to harm or hurt people in any way. On the other hand, the mad dog puts people in danger, which is why Atticus has to kill it. As the mad dog walks up to the Radley's house, Atticus gets a rifle and shoots the dog dead on the sidewalk. "I guess he decided he wouldn't shoot till he had to, and he had to today." (Lee 130) This reveals that Atticus would never harm anything unless he had to and there was a reason to. For instance, the mad dog puts people in danger which is why he had to kill it. Since the mockingbirds are harmless and peaceful, there is no reason to kill one, which is why it is a sin to do so. What character does the mockingbird remind you of in the book? Why do you think Harper Lee includes this part about mockingbirds in the book?

Explain Atticus’s definition of courage.

Chapter 10/11, Phoebe S, 9/25

The quote “I wanted you to see what real courage is… when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee 153) is extremely important because it shows Jem and Scout what true courage is. In this quote, Atticus trying to explain to Jem why he had to go and read out loud to Mrs. Dubose's everyday after he had beaten her flowers. Mrs. Dubose was addicted to morphine and had Jem read to her as a way of distracting herself from the cravings. This is extremely admirable because the old woman was already dying. She could have continued her unhealthy ways and died an addict, but she had the courage to go through something extremely painful so that she could die proud. Even though Mrs. Dubose continuously insults Atticus, he respects her choice and admires her. Atticus feels the need to tell the children about Mrs. Dubose's courage because he does not want Jem and Scout to think that “courage is a man with a gun in his hand” (Lee 153) because that is only speaking of physical courage. He wants to show the children that courage must come from within and to be truly courageous, one must not be afraid to lose or get beaten down.

Chapter 10 and 11: Explain Atticus' definition of courage (end of Chap. 11) Anna McGrath

Atticus’ definition of courage proves his intelligence and shows how wise he is. Atticus’ definition of courage is different from most people in Maycomb County. Courage in Maycomb Country could be defined as someone with the most bravery or someone who is the manliest. But Atticus views courage very differently from most people. Dictionary.com states the definition of courage as, “the ability to do something that frightens one”. This definition is closer to how Atticus views courage. Atticus sees the courage hidden in the layers of Mrs. Dubose's rudeness and uncivil comments. When Atticus is describing to Jem why Mrs. Dubose was the most courageous person he knew he says, “'It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what'”.(Lee 149) Before this statement, Atticus informs Jem that Mrs. Dubose was addicted to morphine before her death. But Mrs. Dubose did not want to die an addict. She knew that no matter what she was on the brink of death and there was nothing she could do about it. But she was determined to free herself from her addiction before she died. She still did this even though she knew it could not keep her living longer or cure her illness. Atticus proves this when he says, “'You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her'”.(Lee 149) But this is not the only thing that allowed Mrs. Dubose to be characterized as courageous. Throughout the time we knew Mrs. Dubose she never let her opinion go unheard. She had no problem telling Jem how she felt about Atticus and his Tom Robinson case. And because of this, Jem lost his temper so he was punished with reading to her. But the punishment turned into a big life lesson for Jem. When talking about her characteristic of being courageous Atticus says, “'According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody'”.(Lee 149) Atticus’ wiseness and intelligence is shown throughout his description of Mrs. Dubose's courage. Atticus’ definition of courage is different from most people in Maycomb County. Scout talks about how her father is very different from the men in Maycomb County. He doesn’t have a job like the other fathers, have an interest in the same things, and is not a racist and defends people of color. While most men, and maybe women as well, probably see courage as someone with the most bravery or someone who is the manliest. Atticus sees a deeper meaning. He also thinks to have courage, you must have bravery which is proven when he says, “'She was the bravest person I knew'”.(Lee 149) But he sees courage as having heart, intelligence, and bravery.

Overall, Atticus’ definition of courage proves his intelligence and shows how wise he is. With his wiseness, Atticus sees the courage hidden in the layers of Mrs. Dubose's rudeness and uncivil comments. And with his intelligence, he uses his personal understanding of courage to teach Jem a lesson about courage. And how it can be the people who you wouldn't expect to be courageous, to be the strongest types of people.

 Chapter 10-11 Question A. Why do u think Atticus never revealed he was an expert marksman? ( Mario P)

I think there are many reasons that Atticus did not tell his children that he was and expert marksman. It is clear he did not want them to know because when Mr.Tate said to Jem “you didn't know your daddy’s” ( Lee 128) and Atticus told the sheriff to hush. The main reason I think he did not reveal his talent is because he did not want his children to be influenced by this or learn how to do it or even to get interested in that kind of guns/shooting because they could potentially hurt people or animals like they were trying to do with their air rifles. Another reason why I think Atticus did no reveal his secret is because of what Ms.Maudie said “he’s civilized in his heart” (Lee 130) and Atticus thought that being a marksman was something civilized people did not do in the south. The last reason I think Atticus did not share his secret with his kids is because when he was a kid he might've hurt an animal or a person with a real rifle ,has not forgotten about and does not want his kids to repeat his mistakes.

Overall Atticus though it wouldn't be a good idea to tell his children about his past because if all those reasons and maybe more and I think that it was a good idea not to because he children might have been to curious and find out other things about their father.

Chapter 8 and 9: Discuss Atticus’ explanation of the case to Scout. What does Atticus mean by “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win?” William K.

Although Atticus believes that Tom Robinson is not guilty, he has to fight countless preconceived notions about race and furthermore has to contend with the Ewells. He knows that any court case involving an African American is bound to become a mess. From past experiences, he has found that "reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up"(Page 117),  but this does not stop Atticus from defending who he thinks is not guilty. Although knowing wholeheartedly that there is no chance for him to win he still knows that there "is no reason... [that he shouldn't] try to win”(Page 101). When explaining the court case he tries to make sure that Scout doesn't turn on him and join the rest of the general public in their hysteria. Because of the misinformation that he circulate once the case starts up, he tells Scout deliberately "to come to [him for]... answers instead of listening to the town."(Page 117). He does this because he knows that there will be a lot of negative press about him defending Tom, and in a small environment such as Maycomb, it is bound to impact Scout. This case will also greatly impact the Finch family, and especially Atticus since it may cause him to get a negative connotation,  and therefore may destroy his career.

Ch. 8-9-Discuss Atticus' explanation of the case to Scout. What does Atticus mean by "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win?" (Tyler M)

When Scout approaches Atticus looking to understand the comments Cecil Jacobs made at school about him "defending niggers," she realizes quickly that Atticus’ explanation is more about doing what is right rather than doing what is easy. After Atticus asks Scout to not use the word “nigger,” he explains to Scout that he is "simply defending a Negro--his name's Tom Robinson" (Lee 100). Atticus further explains that Mr. Robinson is a friend of Cal's from church and that she believes he is "clean-living folk." With Scout trying to balance the hurtful comments made by Cecil Jacobs and understand her father's intentions, Atticus further explains his reasoning. "The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this country in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again" (Lee 100). Scout understands that her father doesn't just want to defend Tom Robinson, but he has to as a lawyer, as a man and as a father.  Scout realizes that Atticus believes this case morally defines his life both professionally and personally, “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally” (Lee 101), even if the verdict is decided before it goes to trial.  When Scout asks Atticus why defend the case if it is not possible to win, Atticus responds “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 101). Atticus’ reference to “being licked 100 years ago” relates to the racial divide that occurred in the South during the Civil War and continues to penetrate the South and its racially prejudiced judicial system.  Atticus explains to Scout “that she isn’t old enough to understand some things yet” and most likely he is inferring that she can’t understand that Tom Robinson will be found guilty, regardless of if he is innocent.  However, it is most important for Atticus to convey to his daughter that it is not winning that is most important, but instead doing what is right.  The goal of Atticus’ conversation with his daughter is that defending Tom Robinson, even if he can’t win, and even if she hears “some ugly talk about it at school” (Lee 101), is about having real courage, doing what is right and seeing things through no matter what.

Chapter 8/9: Explore Scouts Relationship With Uncle Jack. (Sanya G)

Scout and Uncle Jack have a strong, loving, relationship with each other, but they each also learn a lot from the other. In these chapters, readers begin to meet Uncle Jack and explore his personality, during Christmas. The Finch family is celebrating the holiday together when, Scout introduces the reader to Uncle Jack. He is kind, and caring. Readers see this in the scene on page 104, where Uncle Jack removes a splinter from Scouts foot. He tells her a story, and while she laughs, he pulls it out. Uncle Jack also feels like he needs to teach Scout a lesson about her language after he hears her misusing her speech. Uncle Jack attempts to implement a lesson on Scout by saying; "You like words like damn and hell now don't you? I said I reckoned so. Well I don't, said Uncle Jack," (Lee 105). Uncle Jack continues to teach Scout why she shouldn't speak so rudely, and that it could have consequences. Uncle Jack, doesn't realize that ironically, Scout will have a lesson of her own, as later in the book Scout and her cousin, Francis get into a fight. Francis calls Atticus names, and although Scout promises to not let these things get to her, she feels the need to defend her father. After calling Francis names, and punching him in the face she is dragged back home. Scout is in her room, furious, when she hears a nock on the door. When Uncle Jack tries to talk to Scout. She explains to him that "you never stopped to gimme a chance to tell you my side of it - you just lit right into me...  Atticus doesn't ever just listen to Jem's side of it, he hears mine too," (Lee 113). Uncle Jack realizes that he wasn't very fair in the situation, and misjudged Scout. When Scout explains Atticus' way of speaking to his children to Jack, he realizes that he could have handled the situation better.  Uncle Jack responds by wanting to protect Scout, and him feeling some embarrassment. Uncle Jack learns more from Scout that she did from him. The scene also shows how Atticus is very fair in contrast to Jack, and uses his lawyer tactics on a daily basis (as listening to both sides of the story is very important).

Overall Scout and Uncle Jack really enjoy each others company, and have fun when they are together. Uncle Jack is a kind figure in the story and loves Scout very much. They have a strong bond, but they each have a great amount to learn from the other.

Chapter 8/9: How did Scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders? Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book? (Dylan Higgins)

Scout finds a blanket on her shoulders from Boo Radley because Harper Lee wanted to show the reader that Boo has been watching Scout and also that he actually can be a nice and caring individual. Hours before the blanket appears on her shoulders, Scout is woken up at one in the morning by Atticus and led outside where she is greeted by a raging fire coming from across the street. Astonished, Scout and Jem are instructed to go wait in front of the Radley’s while the growing fire is battled by multiple fire engines. While the two frightened children stand waiting, Scout begins to get anxious and is “Slowly freezing” (Lee 94). However, once the fire is put out and the Finches return home, she is no longer cold because of the blanket draped over her shoulders. “‘Blanket?’ ‘Yes ma’am, blanket. It isn’t ours.’ I looked down and found myself clutching a brown woolen blanket I was wearing around my shoulders squaw-fashion,” (Lee 95). Scout and Jem are thoroughly confused by the appearance of the blanket, but Atticus provides some assistance and explains that Boo Radley was really the one to give Scout the blanket. As a first reaction, Scout says that, “My stomach turned to water and I nearly threw up...” (Lee 96). Scout reacts this way because her fear of Boo overcomes the idea that he was nice to her. This situation tells the reader that the stories about Boo are wrong and that he is actually a caring person. This passage also shows that Boo has been looking out for Scout and Jem and that he just wants to help.

At first glance the fact that Boo gave Scout the blanket seems minimal, but between the lines the addition of this moment by Harper Lee was a careful plan to prove the stories and ideas about Boo Radley wrong, and expose not only the fact that he is watching Scout and Jem, but also that deep down he is a caring person, despite his rough past.

Chapter 6/7: Why do the children play the “Radley Game?” What does it reveal about them (together and individually)? (Tushar Aggarwal)

The Radley Game is played to show that the kids are not afraid of Boo, but the game also shows how the kids interpret the Radley family as a bunch of psychos. When Jem first introduced the game to both Scout and Dill, Scout comments on how he thought of the game. She said that “he had thought that [game] up to make me understand he wasn’t afraid of Radleys in any shape or form, to contrast his own fearless heroism with my cowardice” (Lee, 51). Jem uses the game to make light of the Radley situation as if it was all just a drama and none of it was real. However, this also shows how the kids perceive the Radley family. As the summer went on, the Radley game became a small drama and was perfected. Scout describes it as “a melancholy little drama, woven from bits and scraps of neighborhood legend” (Lee, 52). She then goes on to describe how all of Mrs. Radley’s teeth fell out after she married Mr. Radley, and how Boo was constantly destroying the furniture. These all show how the neighborhood thinks of the Radleys as savage recluses, and how twisted the story had become.

The Radley Game is a symbol used to show how one can be interpreted if they haven’t been properly understood in the community.

Chapter 6/7: What does Scout mean by "It was then that Jem and I first began to part company?" (Cameron)

On the last night before Dill leaves Maycomb, Jem, Scout, and Dill decide to peep in the window with the loose shutter at the Radley Place to get a look at Boo Radley. They got caught by Mr. Nathan Radley, and Jem lost his pants trying to escape. Jem lied to Atticus so that Atticus wouldn’t find out that what they had done. Jem decides to go back to retrieve his pants rather than risk having Atticus beat him for lying when he finds out the truth. When Jem tells Scout he is going to do this, Scout says, “It was then that Jem and I first began to part company,” (Lee 75). This quote by Scout means that this is the first time one of them didn’t agree with the other on a major decision. Scout says that Jem’s decision to risk his life to retrieve his pants is “beyond me,” (Lee 75). Before this, the times when Scout didn’t understand Jem were short-lived. This is the first time that Scout is so bewildered that she truly cannot understand Jem. Scout is afraid that Jem will get shot, but he is willing to risk his life rather than having Atticus whip him. Scout would rather have Atticus angry with Jem than have Jem get shot by Mr. Radley. Scout says to Jem, “It’s not like he’d never speak to you again or somethin’ . . .” (Lee 75). Scout is more afraid of the Radleys than she is of Atticus. Jem is willing to risk getting shot in order to avoid having Atticus find out he lied. This quote also shows how the relationship between Jem and Scout has changed over the summer. Jem says, “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,” (Lee 69). When they were younger, Jem and Scout would put on plays together and play together with Dill. Neither of them did anything alone. They attended the same school and passed by Boo Radley’s house together. During their summer with Dill, however, Scout started to become distant from Dill and Jem. Jem is changing and is beginning to see the world differently from Scout.

Chapter 6/7: Why do the children play the radley game? What does it reveal about them? (together and in a group) Gillian Goddard

During the summer, Dill, Scout, and Jem played a game called “Boo Radley,” and it revealed a lot about the characters. “‘I know what. Let’s go for a walk,’” (Lee, 68) Dill said to Jem and Scout as he walked towards the Radley home. Dill had always been interested in Boo, but the game heightened his intrigue even more. Dill shows how when he is interested by something, he can’t stop thinking about it. Dill also pulls Jem into his obsession with Boo. As Jem grows closer to Dill and further from Scout, he also gets more interested in the Radleys. As they continue to play the game, Jem’s curiosity around Boo grows. He also starts to convince Scout into contributing to some of their plans. “‘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!’” (Lee, 69) Everytime Scout threatens to tell Atticus about their game or plans, Jem forces her not to by offending her or pressuring her. As Scout gets dragged into these plans, she gets worse and worse at pushing back against her brother. “Dill and Jem were simply going to peep in the window with the loose shutter to see if they could get a look at Boo Radley, and if I didn’t want to go with them I could go home and keep my fat flopping mouth shut.” (Lee, 69) At first, Scout is completely against the idea, but as Jem begins to tell her how she is too much of a girl, she gives in. Though she doesn’t believe that torturing Boo is the right thing to do, she goes along with it so that she can fit in with the other children. When each of the children are alone, they are terrified of the Radleys, but when in a group they feel that they must be brave.

The Radley game added to the rumors around the Radleys and made Scout feel like she had to go along with it all. They played the game to establish that they weren’t afraid of the Radleys and to make up more stories about Boo. The game made them even more obsessed with the mystery behind the family, and they added to the rumors fear that was already circulating around the Radleys.

Chapter 6/7: Explain Jem’s statement: “When I went back they were folded across the fence… like they were expectin’ me,” (Lee, 78). Cecily Chung

Jem’s statement “When I went back they were folded across the fence… like they were expectin’ me,” (Lee, 78) is said when Jem is telling Scout about his retrieval. A few days earlier, Jem, Dill, and Scout had journeyed into the Radley’s yard to get a closer look. However, they had to make a quick escape, and Jem’s pants got caught on the fence. He couldn’t yank himself free, so he left them behind. The following night, Jem goes to retrieve them, but he notices something off about them.

Jem doesn’t say anything about his observations until a few days later. “‘When I went back for my breeches--they were all in a tangle when I was getting out of ‘em, I couldn’t get ‘em loose,’” (Lee, 78). Jem states that his pants were thoroughly stuck, but as stated before, they had been freed by someone else. This means that someone had seen Jem escape, but chose not to tell on him and instead give him the easy way out.

Another observation Jem made, was that his pants would have been torn after they were freed but they weren’t. “‘They’d been sewed up. Not like a lady sewed ‘em, like somethin’ I’d try to do. All crooked. It’s almost like--’ ‘--somebody knew you were comin’ back for ‘em’,” (Lee 78).

Jem’s pants had not only been rescued, but had also been salvaged by a stranger. Not only had the pants been repaired, but they had been laid out for Jem to come and get them. Whoever had done it, must have known that Jem was planning on coming back that night, even though he had only explained his plan to Scout minutes before he left. The person that restored his pants, seems to know a lot about his life and must be listening in one way or another.

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