Chapters 14 & 15: What happens in this chapter that causes a fight between Jem and Scout? What does this reveal about their relationship? How is this furthered later in the chapter when Dill arrives? (Dylan Wang)

In chapter 14 Jem and Scout fight because they are at different mental ages, this reveals that although close and loving, Scout and Jem’s relationship isn’t always picture perfect. This is shown even more when Dill runs away from his house and shows up at the Finch’s because Jem believes that telling Atticus is the right thing to do, while Scout thinks that keeping it a secret is the right thing to do. After secretly hearing Atticus and Aunt Alexandra argue about whether or not they should keep Calpurnia,  Jem and Scout hurry back to their room before they get caught. Jem using a “superior” tone tells Scout, “It’s this Tom Robinson case that’s worryin’ him to death.” (Lee 184) Fed up by Jem’s manner, Scout says, “Jee crawling hova, Jem! Who do you think you are?... Ain’t so high and mighty now, are you!” (Lee 184) Jem and Scout get into this fight because Scout is upset about how Jem is acting towards her. When Jem starts to become a teenager, his mind starts to change more rapidly than ever. This puts Scout in an uncomfortable position because she isn’t used to the “new” Jem. For example, Jem has the maturity to understand what his father is going through regarding the Tom Robinson case, Scout doesn’t because all she sees is the outside. Jem believes that whatever he thinks is correct, and whatever Scout thinks is wrong. Because of this, Jem feels the need to push his sister around telling her what to do.  On the other hand, Scout thinks it’s just like old times and expects to be treated equally. This fight reveals that they do disagree about certain topics, but they still have a really close sister-brotherhood. For example, when Scout gets scared because she steps on something warm, Jem being the older brother helps her out, “Jem made a tentative swipe under the bed… Jem raised the broom and missed Dill’s head by an inch...” (Lee 186) However, when Dill emerges from under Scout’s bed, Jem and Scout disagree about whether or not they should tell Atticus about Dill. In this case, Jem is trying to do the responsible thing by telling his parent, while Scout is still a little kid trying to be secretive. Jem and Scout fight because they have different mental ages, this shows their loving but not perfect relationship, this is further shown later in the chapter when Jem and Scout argue about whether or not they should tell Atticus about Dill.

Do you think Jem and Scout are going to grow further apart? Do you think Dill will affect Jem and Scouts’ relationship? If so, how?