Thursday, September 27, 2018
Chapter 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? (Eric)
The fight between Jem and Scout started when Jem continued to emphasize the fact that he is older, the that he is the boss of her. On Jem’s twelfth birthday he becomes, “ a man” and ever since Scout has noticed that he becomes more boastful every day. Scout finally snaps when Jem says, “That’s because you can’t hold something in your mind but a little while...It’s different with grown folks, we—” when Scout hears that she says, “Jee crawling hova, Jem! Who do you think you are?” When Scout says this the reader can tell how frustrated she is with her brother, it is clear that this process of growing up for Jem, has been too immediate for Scout. Scout and Jem’s relationship is very important. All Scout’s life she has had a loving big brother that pushes her to be better in a constructive way, and all of a sudden that has all changed. Jem has also stepped out of line, the way he was treating Scout was unacceptable, and just because he was feeling the pain of trying to find himself. When Atticus comes in and breaks up the fight the reader can picture the tension in the room. This experience was clearly scarring for both of them, later they will realize the need for each other in oppressive time they live in.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think Jem and Scouts fight was caused by a build up of emotions in Scout and her feeling the need to reinstate herself in their relationship. Jem had been getting a big head, and becoming too cool to hang out with his littler sister, Scout, anymore. He is also being called Mister by Calpurnia now, which adds to his image of himself and the power he has recently gained. Their fight was anticipated with Scouts history of violence and her bridge of emotions that was bound to come down. Once Scout has had enough of Jems attitude she attacks him, "It nearly knocked the breath out of me, but it didn't matter... We were still equals" (Lee 184). At this point Scout knows no matter how hard he tries to cover it up Jem is still a kid and still her same older brother. Scout doesn't understand the trial as much as Jem seems to, and this has caused a deeper divid between the siblings. In this moment, the trial did not matter, it did not matter that Jem is older, taller, and stronger. They were equals and that is all the reassurance Scout was looking for.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jem is at the age where he has to choose between hanging out with the kids (Dill and Scout) or with the adults (Atticus). He's started taking things into his own hands when things aren't really his to deal with, and this angers Scout a lot. Scout says, "HIs maddening superiority was unbearable these days...everything he read he passed along to me for my edification and instruction." (Lee 184) Jem treats Scout like she's far below him, although they're really still the same age difference apart. This negatively impacts their relationship because it means they're not as close anymore (primarily Jem's fault). Being able to rely on your sibling is a great thing, and it's something the Finch kid's have lost because of this rift between them; a rift so wide it can cause a fight like the one in chapter 14.
ReplyDeleteI understand why Jem and scout are fighting is because they have been at each other's throats for a while building up anger towards one another. I can understand why this happened because I also have a younger brother and when I let my anger towards my brother build up for a while it all comes out at one moment My brother and me usually get into a fight like Jem and scout. Jem is getting older and not wanting to hang out with scout and dill as he is becoming a young adult, but he still loves them and wants to spend time with them.
ReplyDelete