At the beginning of chapter 15 a group of Atticus’ friends shows up to support him and towards the end of the chapter a different group of men comes to the jail to threaten Atticus and his defendant. Chapter 15 opens with Atticus being called outside to discuss updates on Tom Robinson’s trial. Scout overhears Mr. Heck Tate say, “…movin’ him to the county jail tomorrow… I don’t look for any trouble, but I can’t guarantee there won’t be any…” (Lee 194) Heck warns Atticus there might be trouble at the jail when Tom is moved. He and some other men from Maycomb who appeared outside the Finch’s house that night “were people [Jem and Scout] saw every day: merchants, in-town farmers; Dr. Reynolds was there; so was Mr. Avery” (Lee 195). They’re all people the Finch’s know well and are friendly with. When Jem and Scout are watching through the window, they assume the men are trying to hurt Atticus, when they only want to warn him of what’s to come. Later that night, Atticus drives into town, which Jem finds extremely suspicious. He, Scout and Dill follow Atticus to the jail, where another group of men meets up with them. The men who met outside Atticus’s house were there to help him and provide him with valuable insight that the second group of men outside the jail would be showing up the same night Tom was moved to jump him.
Why might Jem be more interested in what his father is up to now? Why does Atticus tell the children to leave, but then congratulate Jem as they’re walking home after the encounter?
Why might Jem be more interested in what his father is up to now?
ReplyDeleteI think Jem is more interested in his father's social life because he is worried about him. As much as he trusts the townsmen who are on his father's side he doesn't want anything happening to him. I think he also has realized how much he appreciates having a father like Atticus after hearing Dill say "[My parents] just wasn't interested in me" (Lee 190). Hearing that there were parents who didn't care about their child he probably thought he should feel more fortunate of having Atticus. Another possible reason why Jem is being more protective of his father is if anything were to happen to Atticus, Jem and Scout would likely have to live with Aunt Alexandra. In a way, Aunt Alexandra has made him realize how great of a parent Atticus is. I think the Tom Robinson case has and will be an eye opening event for both Jem and Scout to make them realize what is most important to them in life.