Free Response

Harper Lee uses these chapters to show the difference between childhood innocence and adult maturity. In chapter 14, Dill comes back into the story and he represents the last trace of childhood fun and games by being the only one of the three still planning ways to get Boo Radley to come out. Dill suggests that they should “place a trail of lemon drops from the back door to the front yard and he’d follow it, like an ant (P. 145).” He also still seeks attention from his parents and runs away from his problems. This is due to Dill not being forced to grow up from the environment he lives in unlike Jem and Scout. However, Jem enters a new stage in his life; now faced with making the right decisions and standing up for himself. He demonstrates this through refusing to keep Dill’s presence a secret from Atticus because he realizes that he should make the right choice sooner. This situation shows how he’s done with being a sneaky, naïve kid, but instead, he’s inching one step closer to adulthood. For the first time ever, Jem refuses to listen to his father when he tells him to go home. Jem shakes his head and they each face each with their fists to their hips. In contrary to the previous summer, Jem risked his life by going back to the Radley’s house and getting his shorts for the sake of not disappointing his father. He exhibits bravery by refusing to leave his father with the group of men after seeing Atticus show bravery himself by going to the courthouse in the first place. Lee makes it clear that Scout is nowhere near Jem on maturity levels; she has trouble understanding complex issues of life and doesn’t entirely get what is going on, yet she attempts to be on the same page as Jem.

         In which way do you think Jem, Dill and Scout’s maturity levels will reflect on how they view the Tom Robinson trial? At what age did you start to realize life wasn't all fun and games?

-Michelle