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Dill Visits
At the beginning of the summer Scout and Jem meet their new neighbor Dill who is staying at his aunts over the summer. Dill has an unhealthy intrest in thier neighbor Boo Radley who is mentally unstable and remains inside. " The Radley Place fascinated Dill. In spite of our warnings and explanations it drew him as the moon draws water...(8)" Dills tall tales about Boo pique the Finch childrens intrest and they begin to beleive Boo is the man society believes him to be. -
Scout protects Charles Cunningham
Scout begins her first year of school and is greeted by Miss Caroline, a teacher oblivious to the living conditions of her students. When she sees Charles Cunningham didn't bring a lunch and offers to pay, Scout stands up and explains he wouldnt accept her money if he couldnt pay her back."The Cunninghams never took anything they can't pay back...They don't have much, but they get along on it(20)." This shows that Scout is becoming more responsible and looks out for others. -
The children find treasures in the Radley tree
"As we came to the live oaks at the Radley Place I raised my finger to point for the hundreth time to the knot-hole where I had found the chewing gum, trying to make Jem believe I had found it there, and found myself pointing at another piece of tinfoil.(34)". As Scout and Jem pass the Radley house each day they find a new treasure. This leads them to wonder who put their gifts in the tree and why. -
Jem touches the Radley house
On Dills last day in Maycomb the children decide to sneak onto the Radley land. Unfortunately Mr.Radley thinks they are robbers and begins shooting. Terrified the children run but Jem looses his pants trying to escape.Jem recounts his experience trying to hide the evidence of thier mission "When I went back for my breeches--- they were all in a tangle... When I went back, they were folded(58)". This helped Jem to realize Boo wasn't the monster society claimed he was. -
Scout fights cousin Francis
The Finch family celebrates Christmas at Finchs landing. While there Scouts cousin Francis claims Scouts father Atticus is ruining the family because he is defending a black man "Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he's turned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again (83)." This quote dispays the overall attitude of society toward other races. In retaliation to this Scout attacks Francis and shows she wants to stand up for her family. -
Jem attacks Mrs. Duboses yard
Mrs. Dubose was an elderly and terrifying neighbor to the Finch family. "We could do nothing to please her. If I said sunnily as I could 'Hey, Mrs. Dubose,' I would recieve for an answer 'Dont't you say hey to me , you ugly girl!' (99)." Mrs. Dubose yells at Jem telling him that his father is a disgrace to Maycomb. This causes Jem to destroy her lawn in rage. Despite his actions Jem reads to Mrs. Dubose to make up for his behavior. This shows that Jem is mature and fixes his mistakes, -
Atticus is saved from a mob
Atticus is charged with the duty of protecting Tom Robinson (a black man accused of rape) in the jailhouse but is greeted by an angry mob. Jem Scout and Dill follow him to the jailhouse and Scout begins talking to one of the mob members about his son oblivious of the severity of the situation. "'What's the matter?' I asked.'I'll tell him you said hey, little lady,' he said...'Lets clear out,' he called.(154)." This quote shows that innocence can move others in unexpected ways.. -
Tom Robinson loses his trial
Tom Robinson is put on trial and substantial evidence is given of his innocence. The Jury however remains racist and convicts him despite it Tom was frightened and didn't know what ro do and was killed in his desperation "'They shot him' said Atticus. 'He was running. It was during thier exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them---(235)". This shows that when hope seems to be lost desperation ensues. -
Bob Ewell gets his revenge
Bob Ewell was the father of Mayella who was supposedly raped by Tom Robinson. Despite Toms conviction Bob did not recieve the satisfaction he thought he deserved and sought revenge on all who were involved in the case. When it came to Atticus he thought of no better way to exact revenge but by through his children. Scout recounts his revenge. "Then all of a sudden somethin' grabbed me an' mashed my costume...Mr. Ewell yanked him down, I reckon (270)". This displays Ewells anger and hatred. -
Boo saves the children and Scout meets him
During the Finch childrens struggle for thier lives against Bob Ewell a stranger intervened and the children were saved.This man carried an unconscious Jem back to the Finch home. Scout soon discovers her rescuer to be Boo Radley. Scout acts kind and generous to him, finally realizing how Boo was not anything like the man society claimed him to be. At the end of the night he spoke his last words to Scout "'Will you take me home?'(278)". It was then Scout knew he had been looking out for them.
