How Does Atticus Explain Rape To Scout?

Scout begins to notice the change in Jem’s personality and feels offended because she doesn't quite understand. On page 153 the text reads, “Over night, it seemed, Jem had acquired an alien set of values and was trying to impose them on me: several times he went so far as to tell me what to do.” Jem gets older and begins a long path of puberty. This, Scout does not understand yet. Jem moving towards a more adult like personality upsets Scout. Jem’s loss of innocence is a change but also begins to creates a new daily understanding for both Jem and Scout.

This is shown in the scene where Scout is being teased by Cecil Jacobs because Atticus is defending Tom, Scout states in this scene that "My fists were clenched and I was ready to let fly" (Lee 74). Although Scout was tempted to fight Cecil she did not because she made a promise to Atticus that she would stop fighting. Scout 's actions throughout these scenes show how she is beginning to mature. Although Scout shows development in her maturity she is still lacking in it. This is seen all throughout the scene of her cousin Francis stating "If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that’s his own business, like Grandma says, so it ain 't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I 'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family--" (Lee 83). Scouts loses all sense of her actions in this point in time and pounce on Francis but he just manages to escape her grasp and escape to the kitchen, so Scout sits on the steps and waits for him. A few moments later Aunt Alexandra comes in and asks what is going on, and Francis says that Scout is holding him hostage and says that she beat him up, but Scout shows a lot of maturity by owning up to her actions and not lying to Aunt Alexandra. Scout 's maturity has really started to develop as she is faced with the judgements of others during the Robinson case.

Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout is curious. She was curious about the trial and wanted to know all about it, and insisted on going to the trial and watching. She was also curious about Boo. She always imagined meeting him, and what she would say. One day this kid named Dill was in their neighbor's backyard, and she had no idea who he was and she wanted to find out.

Atticus is guarding the jailhouse to make sure no one hurts Tom Robinson before his trial, when he is approached by Walter Cunningham and his fellow goons. Atticus shows his bravery by standing his ground for what he believes is right in front of his son. When Scout lashes out to her father’s side, Jem holds onto her and tries to stop her from interfering. Then Jem refuses to go home and stands up for his father’s side although the odds were against them, while trying to protect his sister from harm. In page 152, chapter 15, Scout says, “... but from the way he stood, Jem was not thinking of budging.” This shows us that Jem has matured from the boy who would do anything if dared, to a young man who can barricade his emotions and proceed with reason in difficult situations.

Since Jem enjoys doing "manly" things, Scout does them as well for she does not know any better and she wants to gain Jem's respect for her. As time goes by, Jem starts to mature himself, from an irresponsible boy to a sensitive, gentlemen, Mister Jem; he is always Scout's adored older brother. As Scout gets older, her Aunt Alexandra decides to try and get Scout to act more like the Jean Louise that she wants her be. The only time that Aunt Alexandra was around for a long period of time was during the trial when she came to live with the Finches when Atticus was the lawyer for Tom. Even though she disagrees with her brother, Atticus, with his way of raising his children, especially Scout, who should be taught to be a lady believes that in time, she will "come around"

Scout sees that Miss Maudie does not believe in rumors, and it proves Miss Maudie a very upright person. She also adds later on, “‘No child…that is a sad house. I remember Arthur Radley when he was a boy. He always spoke nicely to me, no matter what folks said he did…’” (61). Scout finds this concept unfathomable, because it contradicts everything she ever heard about Boo Radley. However, because she regards Miss Maudie so highly, Scout begins having a new perspective on things after this point. Even though she still takes parts in various situations when with Jem and Dill attempt communicating with Boo, she thinks more before acting, and participates only so she avoids teasing from Jem rather than with the intention of humiliating Boo. While not participating at all would display greater maturity, the fact that she thinks more before acting and takes more things into consideration shows that Miss Maudie does indeed have an affect on her. It illustrates Scout’s developing character, as she no longer judges Boo Radley, and she learns from Miss Maudie that she should not judge any one, but rather try understanding them before criticizing them.

Before, Jem would always be Scout’s playmate but now he tells her to “stop pestering him” and that she should start “bein’ a girl and acting right”. Jem now likes to be kept alone and feels as if Scout is a lot more childish than he had realized.

In chapter 6, Jem and Scout go to hang out with Dill for his last day over in summer. Dill’s idea of fun was still trying to get Arthur out of

Dill, also known as Charles Baker Harris, visiting Jem and Scout Finch every summer became an expectation in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, but as summer approaches, Dill writes Scout to inform her that his plans for the season have been altered. Subsequently following an altercation between Jem and Scout in Chapter Fourteen, Scout retreats to her room for the night and believes a snake slips under her bed after being stepped on, but the so called snake reveals itself as Dill. Dill’s actions throughout the chapter aid in the indirect characterization of his character. For example, when asked about how he arrived in Maycomb, Dill tells Jem and Scout two improbable stories about an abusive new father and traveling with an animal show, as

Atticus asked Aunt Alexandra to come for a visit unexpectedly. Aunt Alexandra says, “Jem’s growing up now and you are too, we decided that it would be best for you to have some feminine influence.” (Lee 169-170). It is unfair of Atticus to suddenly want Scout to change her personality just because she is getting older. This could lead to Scout thinking that she is not good enough for Atticus the way she is. That utter disrespect for Scout’s feelings shows Atticus’s ignorance, because if he was an understanding father, he would love her the way she is and not want her to change. Furthermore, Atticus is ignorant because he does not show interest in the activities his children enjoy. Jem and scout had received air rifles for Christmas, from their Uncle Jack. When it came time for them to learn how to shoot, Atticus said that he was not interested in guns. One day a rabid dog was wandering around their neighborhood, Scout explains, “Atticus’s hand yanked a ball-tipped lever as he brought the gun to his shoulder. The rifle

Scout is a very strong and independent character who believes in who she is. She does not allow anyone to push her around even if that means she has to settle an argument in an immature way such as fist fights. Scout is unlike many girls in her town. She likes to play outside,wear pants and she doesn’t like to play with teasets or dolls. This appalls many adults who are not understanding of why Scout is different from the other girls. Many neighbors and relatives put the blame on Atticus for “not raising her right”. Atticus is often criticized because he took a different role in life than his siblings and left the Finch landing. The Finch Landing is a huge farm run by workers paid slim to none. Atticus’s siblings, Alexandra and Jack stayed at the farm and took in the money and watched the workers work. Generations and generations of Finches had done this with the exception of Atticus. Instead he felt there was more to life and decided to go to school and become a lawyer. He is now raising Scout and Jem. With Scout’s mom dead, many people feel they need to intervene with Atticus’s parenting to play a mother figure. Alexandra plays a big part in this and sits Scout down to chat. Alexandra tells Scout that she

Jem like Scout realizes that Boo is not that bad of a person. Jem leaves his ripped pants laying in the Radley yard one night trying to peek into the window and get a glimpse of Boo. He runs back to get them and finds them folded neatly on the fence without a rip in them. Jem later finds out that Boo was taking care of him. “Scout, I think I am beginning to understand something. I think I am beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time..it is because he wants to stay inside.”(304) Jem then realizes Boo’s reasoning for not wanting to see the world. Tom Robinson’s trial has an effect on Jem’s ideas if empathy. He never pays attention to the actions of others from his own view, he just listens to what people such as Miss. Stephanie say assuming that it is true. When his father has to stand up for Tom on trial for “raping” Mayella Ewell and does not win, Jem can not believe that a group of men could make a decision based off of lies. He asked Atticus multiple times “How could they do that?” and Atticus simply said “they have done it before and they will do it

Jem, Scout, and Dill go to town and begin to observe all of the people there. When they spot Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Dill is confused by his actions. When Jem explains it, he says “‘That’s just his

But, specifically for women and girls. They didn’t get many rights and freedom as they do today. Also, it was a big deal for a woman or girl to not match society’s standards because it wasn’t common. That leads into how Scout’s representation of a girl is viewed in various ways by others. Back to the day when Alexandra first comes, she starts hammering on Scout, starting with what she said first: “We decided it would be best for you to have some feminine influence. It won’t be many years, Jean Louise, before you become interested in clothes and boys-” (Lee 170). Scout doesn’t like what she said because she simply isn’t interested in what Alexander says she should be. Again, it seems that Alexandra doesn’t like how Scout isn’t fitting into society’s standard for girls. Scout is also convicted of being different from Jem. Jem’s view on Scout is the complete opposite of Alexandra’s, meaning he isn’t used to or wants Scout acting ‘girly’. Jem started to notice change in her when Scout refuses to sneak into the Radley’s property to see inside of the house. “Jem, please-” Jem replies,"Scout, I’m tellin‘ you for the last time, shut your trap or go home—I declare to the Lord you’re gettin’ more like a girl every day!" (Lee 69). Scout isn’t intending to act differently than she has used to, but she is saying no because she knows it isn’t a smart decision to begin with. Later on after the trial, Jem is

Jem, the eldest, is often the leader of the two and at a young age, they relied on one another as playmates, so he utilized his greater authority to make fair and peaceful decisions. Later, as Jem grows up, he craves independence and believes himself superior to Scout, mainly for reasons of gender and age. He bosses her around, because her actions contradict his beliefs of right and wrong, superior and inferior. Eventually, Jem learns to accept and respect her difference, and although they are no longer codependent, they can still function as a team. From this, it is clear that Jem has grown apart from Scout, but his values allow him to support her regardless of their