Question: Why does Scout have such trouble in school?

Jay Symonds

9/16/13
Eng 84
Rossiter

     During chapters two and three, Harper Lee depicts Scout’s first two days of the school year and the troubles she experiences.  Scout gets in trouble with Miss Caroline multiple times each day because of her actions during class.  One example of Scout’s troubles is when Miss Caroline becomes upset that Scout reads various passages from different magazines and books.  She is upset because Scout is literate and one should read “with a fresh mind.” (17)  So Miss Caroline asks Scout to tell her father, Atticus, to stop teaching her at home.  But arguing back Scout says, “Teach me? He hasn’t got time to teach me anything, Miss Caroline.”(17)  Scout tries to explain when she says “Why, he’s so tired at night that he just sits in the living room and reads.” (17)  Miss Caroline doesn’t want to hear it though, and starts to get frustrated.  “Now, you tell your father to not teach you anymore” she says. (17)  When scout interrupts her, Miss Caroline gets even more frustrated and says, “Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now.” (17).

     Another example of Scout’s troubles is when she tried to explain how poor the Cunningham’s were. Specifically, when Walter Cunningham had no lunch and Miss Caroline offer him money for lunch, Scout states, “Walter is one of the Cunninghams and the Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back.” (20)  Miss Caroline gets upset and grabbed Scout and pulled her to her desk and said “you’re starting out on the wrong foot in every way my dear, hold out your hand.” (21).  Miss Caroline then smacked Scout’s hand 6 times with a ruler and made her stand in the corner. 

     So, based on the few examples above, the reader can see that, although Scout has good qualities and intentions like being able to read and defending Walter Cunningham, she repeatedly gets into trouble with Miss Caroline, who misunderstands Scout.  It seems because Miss Caroline is from a different County, Winston County, it plays a big role in how she perceives Scout’s actions. These differences lead Scout to have a long conversation with Atticus about not having to go to school because she does not like the way Miss Caroline treats her.  But she and Atticus come to an agreement that if she keeps going to school she can continue to read with Atticus and they’ll keep it a secret from Miss Caroline.   

     After her agreement with Atticus, how will Scout now deal with Miss Caroline during the rest of the school year?  Do you think Scout and Miss Caroline will eventually understand each other and get along? Why do you think Atticus wants Scout to stay in school and get an education?