Skip to main content

How do Jem and Scout differ in their opinions about what to do with the intruder in Chapter 14 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird?

By the end of Chapter 14 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem discover Dill, an intruder, hiding under Scout's bed. Jem and Scout clearly disagree about how to handle their unexpected visitor. Jem believes that adults should know, whereas Scout indicates she only wants to protect her own and Dill's interests.Dill had run away from Meridian, wanting to be in Maycomb, and had been hiding under Scout's bed,...

By the end of Chapter 14 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem discover Dill, an intruder, hiding under Scout's bed. Jem and Scout clearly disagree about how to handle their unexpected visitor. Jem believes that adults should know, whereas Scout indicates she only wants to protect her own and Dill's interests.

Dill had run away from Meridian, wanting to be in Maycomb, and had been hiding under Scout's bed, filthy and hungry. When they finally discover him, Scout brings him a pan of leftover cornbread, and Dill relays his adventures. Then, Jem, acting very grown up, says, "You oughta let your mother know where you are ... You oughta let her know you're here." He then leaves the room and asks Atticus to come to Scout's room.

Scout expresses having felt betrayed by Jem's action, for she describes him as having broken the "remaining code of our childhood." She also says she "felt sick," which shows she is worried about how Atticus will respond to finding Dill there and would have preferred not to have informed Atticus in order to prevent Dill from being sent back to Meridian. Scout had been heartbroken to learn by letter that Dill would not be permitted to go to Maycomb that summer because he was expected to spend time with his new stepfather. Therefore, Scout wants Dill there in Maycomb just as much as Dill wants to be there, and she would do anything to keep him there.

This contrast in Scout's and Jem's actions shows that Jem is old enough to worry about doing the right thing, whereas Scout, still being very young, only thinks of personal interests.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more