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Scout starts 1st grade
Scout has been looking forward to starting school for a while now. When she gets to school, things are not as she expected them to be. Miss Caroline Fisher does not understand Maycomb's ways, so when Scout tries to explain things to Miss Caroline, she is hauled up to the front of the room, patted on the hand with a ruler, and forced to stand in the corner until noon (Lee 16). During school, Scout learns to listen to Atticus' advice and avoid violence. -
The Radley tree knothole
The Radley tree knothole shows Arthur (Boo) Radley's desire to have a connection with the kids. Arthur gives Jem and Scout many of his prized possessions over the course of a year, including two polished pennies and dolls carved out of soap. When Nathan Radley discovers that Boo, Jem, and Scout have been using the knothole as a place for exchange, he fills it with cement (Lee 62). The knothole forms a friendship between Jem, Scout and Boo, which also shows that Boo is capable of kindness. -
Jem, Scout, and Dill try to look in the Radley house
As children, Jem, Scout, and Dill are curious about Boo and his existence. Their curiousity leads them to the Radley's back porch where first Dill and later Jem peek into the windows. Mr. Radley spots them and then shoots at them with his shotgun. Jem's pants get caught on the fence, and when he returns for them later that night, he finds them sewn and waiting for him (Lee 52-54). This event demonstrates the curious nature of Jem, Scout, and Dill as children, and Boo's desire for friendship. -
Miss Maudie's house burns down
After the first snow in Maycomb for many years, Miss Maudie's house burned to the ground. Everyone in town was supporting Miss Maudie morally or physically by moving her possessions out of the burning house. While Jem and Scout were off to the side watching the scene, Boo Radley put a blanket around their shoulders (Lee 70).They did not notice this act of kindness until after the fire and were bewildered by the event. Once again, Boo's actions show his love for the Finch children. -
Atticus kills Tim Johnson
After Calpurnia notified the entire street of the presence of the mad dog, Atticus and Mr. Heck Tate arrived in the driveway. Mr. Tate was not confident enough with his aim and, "Mr. Tate handed the rifle to Atticus,,," (Lee 95). Atticus shot Tim Johnson with little difficulty and awed his children in the process. Jem and Scout's discovery of Atticus' handiness with a gun further supports the lessons that Atticus has been trying to teach Jem and Scout throughout the novel. -
Jem cuts Mrs. Dubose's flowers
On the way home from town one day, Mrs. Dubose threw an insult about Atticus to Jem and Scout concerning Atticus' defense of Tom Robinson. Despite all of Atticus' values bestowed on Jem to "'...be a gentleman, son'" (Lee 102), Jem lost his temper and "...did not begin to calm down until he had cut the tops off every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose owned..." (Lee 103). The pressure and stress put on the Finch family throught the Tom Robinson case is showed through Jems ourburst. -
Jem and Scout go to Calpurnia's church
Jem and Scout's willingness to attend church with Calpurnia shows that Atticus has taught his children to not be prejudiced based on skin color. Jem and Scout are so comfortable around Calpurnia that attending her church does not seem like a strange thing to do. Scout and Jem are polite, and despite their negative account with Lula, they even begin to admire their dedication to their church and religion. Reverend Sykes also becomes a friend of the Finch children in this event (Lee 119-122). -
Atticus and the children stop a mob at the jail
When Atticus breaks routine, the kids follow him into town. They find him guarding Tom Robinson at the jail from a mob of strangers and Mr. Cunningham. Upon recognizing Mr. Cunningham, Scout asks him about his entailment and his son, Walter Cunningham. Scout had been taught by Atticus that, "...it was the polite thing to talk to people about what they were interested in, not what you were interested in," (Lee 154). Scout broke up the mob and protected Atticus and Tom with her innocence. -
Tom Robinson's trial
Ultimately, the jury decided to continue white supremacy with a guilty verdict. They convicted an innocent Negro because they did not want to give up their pride. Jem was greatly influenced by the unfair verdict, and according to Scout, "...his shoulders jerked as if each 'guilty' was a separare stab between them," (Lee 211). He could not believe the jury had done such a horrible act of racism. In honor of Atticus and his efforts to defend Tom, all of the Negroes stood as he passed. -
Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout
Because Atticus had destroyed Bob Ewell's last string of pride and respect as a white man in Maycomb, Ewell was out to hurt anyone involved in the case. After Scout's pageant, Jem and Scout were attacked by Bob Ewell on their walk home.Boo protected his friends and killed Ewell. Later that evening, Scout discovered Boo's identity, and walked him home. Scout had finally met her hidden neighbor, but she was sad to see him go becasue she had never given anything back to him in return (Lee 278).
