This statement by Jem is written in order to grab the reader and further the reader’s interest in the book. The whole week before Jem said this he didn’t seem content and one day as him and Scout were walking home from school he mentioned the folded pants. Before then, Scout knew something was wrong with Jem but he hadn’t told her yet. The pressure on him had been building on him since Jem, Scout, and Dill ran away after trying to get into the Radley house. After he explains the folded pants Jem says, “They’d been sewed up. Not like a lady sewed ‘em, like somethin’ I’d try to do. All crooked.”(58) The night when they went to the house Atticus had asked him where his pants were and Dill came up with an excuse so Jem was determined to go back and get his pants which shows how much Jem is committed to keeping a good relationship with his father. Earlier he mentioned how he’d never been whipped by Atticus before and he says “I wanta keep it that way,” so he was willing to do anything to stay in good terms with his father, even if that means the possibility of death. This shows how Atticus keeps his children in control with his unique parenting style. The kids, especially Jem, want to keep their father’s trust regardless of the cost.
Do you think Scout has the same level of respect for Atticus? If so, why do you think she does? How do you think the events of page 58 have changed Jem? Do you think he is just growing up and becoming more mature while Scout still doesn’t fully grasp the concept?
I infer that it is Boo Radley who is playing little games with the Finchs. For example, the various gifts through the tree trunk (page 44); the laugh heard by Scout when she rolls in the tire (page 54). Boo also sewed up the pants. The pants were messily sewed, as if someone other than a lady had repaired them, which implies that maybe Boo sewed them. Also, the fact that it was Nathan Radley who filled up the tree trunk and shot the gun gives a tip that for some reason, he does not want the Finchs to be in contact with Boo.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think are the reasons for these strange phenomena happening around the Radley family?
Scout and Jem have different approaches to their father and his behavior. Jem treats him more as an overseer or a guidance counselor, whereas Scout views Atticus as a wise father whom should be treated with respect and honesty. Scout is constantly whining "Jem, please-" (58) because she doesn't want to get in trouble with Atticus and destroy the trust of honesty and respect that she and her father have. Jem trusts Atticus as well, but not in the same respect as Scout. Jem sees Atticus as a role model, so when he considers carrying out actions that his father would disapprove of, that doesn't stop him from doing it. Instead he keeps these actions to himself.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Atticus's different relationships with Scout and Jem will come between the children? Do you agree with Atticus's parenting style?
Jem went back to the Radley house to retrieve his pants to maintain his “good” relationship with Atticus, but also for other reasons. Throughout this book, Jem has been trying to impress both Dill and Atticus, although there are very different ways to do both and they sometimes contradict each other. While Dill looks up to Jem for coming up with pranks and being brave and daring, Atticus respects him for his mature decisions and responsible behavior. When Jem said to Scout, “Atticus ain’t ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way.” (75), he is not afraid of getting physically hurt, or whipped, as much as he is of disappointing his father because Atticus will learn that he has behaved badly.
ReplyDeleteThe night when Jem leaves home to find his pants, (78), I think that his perspective on Boo Radley changes. All his life, he has heard stories and rumors that lead him to believe that the Radley house, Boo in particular, were scary and dangerous. I think that when Jem found his pants all sewed up and neatly folded, a part of him realized that maybe Boo Radley wasn’t the monster he had always thought.
How do you think Jem is going to act around the Radley house from here on forward? Do you think his perspective will change? Do you think Atticus will ever find out what happened that night?