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.
I agree that Scout and Uncle Jack have a good relationship, but I think that it is a very confusing one. As you said, Uncle Jack has very little experience with kids, and he learns a great deal from Scout. "Well in the first place you never stopped to gimme a chance to tell you my side of it - you just lit right into me. When Jem an' I fuss Atticus doesn't ever just listen to Jem's side of it, he hears mine too," (Lee 113). Even though it is clear that the two share a very good relationship, it is also evident to the reader that this connection is complex and confusing. As it was stated, Jack is a caring person and means well, but he also wants to teach a thing or two to Scout. Because of this Scout does not dislike him like she dislikes her aunt, but she also does not deeply love him like she does to Atticus. At the end of the day Uncle Jack and Scout have a great deal to learn from each other, but we also see that they have lots of fun together.
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ReplyDeleteI agree that they each have a a lot to learn from each other. But I think Jack has more to learn about Scout, then Scout has to learn about Jack. When Jack arrives during Christmas he hears Scout cussing and tries to teach her not to. Jack says, "'Scout, you'll get in trouble if you go around saying things like that. You want to grow up to be a lady, don't you?'". (Lee 149) Scouts responds to him by saying, "I said not particularly". (Lee 149) Uncle Jack doesn't exactly understand that Scout isn't exactly like the other girls. She would rather fight for what she believes in rather than let others opinions overshadow her. She doesn't want to wear dresses, she would rather wear overalls. And she doesn't want to grow up to be an ordinary lady.
ReplyDeleteUncle Jack and Scout have a good relationship and one that compliments each other very well. Uncle Jack is not very skilled when it comes to childcare and Scout is not the best with words. While at the table eating dinner Scout says “Aw, that's a damn story,” (Lee 104) Uncle Jack is bothered by this, but doesn't say anything. Later in the meal Scout asks Uncle Jack to “pass the damn ham”, this pushes Uncle Jack over the edge and he asks to see Scout after dinner. When Scout meets Uncle Jack after dinner, she sits on his lap and he tells her he doesn't like cuss words and that they should only be used “Unless there's extreme provocation connected to them…”(Lee 105). This shows how Uncle Jack is different from Atticus as Atticus doesn't mind this as much, but it shows how Uncle Jack looks out for Scout. He knows that her using this language will not help her in the future. Later in the chapter while Scout was talking to Uncle Jack she says “Atticus doesn’t ever just listen to Jem’s side of it, he hears mine too.” This is Scout telling Uncle Jack a tip that he can use in the future to be a better parent. I don’t think Scout is saying this as a shot at Uncle Jack, but she's saying it to help him. Scout and Uncle Jack enjoy each other's company, as they can learn from each other to become better people.
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