Skip to main content

Why is it significant that Jem had been crying?

In Chapter 7, Jem and Scout find several items in the knothole of the Radley tree. They find a ball of gray twine, two small figurines carved out of soap, a whole pack of chewing gum, a tarnished spelling bee medal, and a pocket watch with an aluminum knife. Jem tells Scout that he thinks they should write a letter to whoever has been leaving them the gifts in the knothole. They thank the mysterious...

In Chapter 7, Jem and Scout find several items in the knothole of the Radley tree. They find a ball of gray twine, two small figurines carved out of soap, a whole pack of chewing gum, a tarnished spelling bee medal, and a pocket watch with an aluminum knife. Jem tells Scout that he thinks they should write a letter to whoever has been leaving them the gifts in the knothole. They thank the mysterious person for leaving them gifts and sign their names. The next morning Jem goes to place the envelope into the knothole, only to find out that the knothole has been filled in with cement. The next day, Jem asks Nathan Radley why he filled the knothole with cement, and Nathan tells Jem that the tree was dying. He says, "You plug 'em with cement when they're sick. You ought to know that, Jem" (Lee 83). That evening, Jem asks Atticus if he thinks that the tree is dying. Atticus says, "Why no, son, I don't think so. Look at the leaves, they're all green and full, no brown patches anywhere---" (Lee 84). Jem then asks Atticus if he thinks the tree is sick and Atticus says, "That tree's as healthy as you are, Jem. Why?" (Lee 84). Jem explains to Atticus that Nathan told him it was dying. After their conversation, Jem stands on the porch with his back against the pillar in deep thought. When he finally decides to come back into the house, Scout mentions that she can tell that he had been crying.


It is significant that Jem is crying because this is the first time Jem realizes that an adult has lied to him. Before speaking with Nathan, Jem was confident in the fact that adults only told the truth. When Nathan's answer doesn't satisfy Jem, he goes to his father because he knows Atticus will be honest. Atticus points out the fact that the tree has full, green leaves and is perfectly healthy. Jem is bothered by the fact that Nathan lied to him, which is one reason he begins to cry. Jem also cries because he knows that he has lost his opportunity to communicate with Boo Radley. Throughout the chapter, Jem is conflicted about the identity of the person giving them gifts. Deep down, Jem knows that Boo Radley is responsible, and after he finds out that the knothole has been filled in with cement, he becomes heartbroken.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...
Post a Comment
Read more

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...
Post a Comment
Read more

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...
Post a Comment
Read more