In the
beginning of chapter twenty eight, Jem and Scout start their “longest journey
together.” Atticus didn’t accompany Scout to her pageant, so Jem decided to
walk to the schoolhouse with her. As they were walking across the Radley Lot,
even though the rumors about Boo have surpassed them, Scout admitted she was
still a little spooked. “It’s a Scary place though, ain’t it? Boo doesn’t mean
anybody harm, but I’m right glad you’re along (p.341).” In addition to this
moment, in the end of chapter twenty-nine, Scout explains to Mr. Tate exactly
what she recollects of happening during their walk home from the pageant. She
identified the man who picked up Jem and brought him back to Atticus’s home. “Hey
Boo (p.362).”
Jem walking
Scout to the schoolhouse for her pageant shows a sign of maturity because he is
taking Atticus’s place. Jem plays the fatherly role on the journey because he
is protecting Scout and showing her where to go. From this phase of maturity,
Scout is developing a new older male role model. Jem has gone from just being
her older brother, to becoming another father like figure, like Atticus. After
the pageant, Jem comforted Scout when she was feeling down, showing further that
Jem has gained a lot of maturity throughout the novel. This moment also shows
how Scout was still a little frightened. This brings back her childlike characteristics.
When Scout realized
that the man who helped Jem was Boo, she acknowledged him like he was a man
they saw everyday. This moment showcases how Scout has moved from seeing Boo as
the man who ate raw squirrels, to the nice neighbor who is just there to help. Her
confusion and fright as a young kid have drifted away and Scout has matured. Although
Scout still has her childhood moments, she is mature about ideas that she used
to be confused about such as, Arthur Radley.
As Jem and Scout grow older, do you think they will stay close siblings? Jem is taking after Atticus's ways, how is Scout taking after her father? Do you think there will be any further events in the end of the book that will increase Jem's or Scout's maturity level?
As Jem and Scout grow older, do you think they will stay close siblings? Jem is taking after Atticus's ways, how is Scout taking after her father? Do you think there will be any further events in the end of the book that will increase Jem's or Scout's maturity level?
Scout is also maturing when she tells her friends that Boo doesn't harm anyone. Usually an immature, younger child would change their opinion when socializing with other people outside their family. Scout takes a huge step in maturity showing who she is right away in front of her friend.
ReplyDeleteWhen Scout tells us that Jem is comforting her just like Atticus does, it shows his steps to maturity and how he is starting to care for others, like Atticus. He is growing up to act like his father and also working on his attitude toward Scout- by chapter 28 you can tell he has tried to improve his attitude toward Scout.
Do you think Scout and Jem will become more or less mature after the Mr. Ewell incident? Why or why not?
Jem has shown that he is a step ahead Scout in terms of maturity in chapters 28 and 29. The way Jem was able to comfort Scout and make her feel safe shows that he is maturing because if Jem still had the mind of a child, he would not have been able to comfort Scout in the way he did. Jem is turning into a man now. Scout showed signs of childhood still in her because when Harer Lee said that Scout was a little spooked when walking by the Radley place, though it is okay to be spooked in that situation, it represents that she is still a child. Children often get scared where as adults not so much. Scout being scared showd that she is still a child.
ReplyDeleteScout does show a lot of maturity when she is being questioned by Heck Tate. Scout stays calm, and answers the questions with confidence, and she is answering them maturely. Scout does not fantasize or go off topic at all. She tells Mr. Tate the truth, and told him everything that happened. Scout also shows maturity when she finds out that Bob Ewell had died. A normal girl at her age would feel sad, even a bit afraid. Scout did touch and smell Mr. Ewell, and she really didn't seem to spooked that she touched a dead man.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that they are BOTH getting more mature, shows that they will stay close. If only one of them matures and the other is still an immature young kid, then I could see them drifting apart due to a lack of similarities. Scout is taking after Atticus in a more quiet, less strait forward way. As Scout is growing up, she is beginning to see the world as it is. A mean place. Most Maycomb people are totally fine with the way the town is segregated, but not Atticus. As Scout has gotten older and mature, she is realizing what the real world is like, and she is branching out from the ignorent Maycomb people, just like her father does. I believe that because Harper Lee is such a great author, we will see Scout mature more, just because the entire novel has been based on her coming of age.
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