To Kill a Mockingbird

In chapter 7, can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?

In chapter 7, can you find any evidence that Jem is beginning to understand more than Scout about Boo Radley? What do you think this is?

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One day in October, Jem and Scout find two little figures in their secret knothole, a boy and a girl, carved artfully out of soap. Upon closer examination, they realize that the figures are images of themselves. They wonder who could have done it - maybe Mr. Avery, a neighbor who whittles wood. In a couple of weeks, they find a package of chewing gum, an old spelling bee medal, a broken pocket watch on a chain, and an aluminum knife. Jem can't get it the watch to work, but he and Scout decide to write a letter thanking the mystery person who is leaving them these gifts. They write a note of thanks and leave it in the oak tree. The next day, they are horrified to discover that someone has filled their hole up with cement. They ask Mr. Radley about it, and he claims the tree is dying and filling the knothole with cement will keep it alive. Jem is suspicious, and when he asks Atticus about it, Atticus says the tree looks very healthy, but that Mr. Radley must have a good reason for plugging up the hole. Jem thinks on Atticus's statement and about who might be leaving the gifts. He stands out on the porch by himself for a long time. When he comes inside, Scout thinks it looks like he has been crying.

Source(s)

http://www.gradesaver.com/to-kill-a-mockingbird/study-guide/summary-chapters-7-12

It seems that Scout was crying because when Nathan Radley plugged up the tree, she lost her connection with Boo Radley as well as wouldn't recieve any more girfts from him. You can tell she has more of a self-centered perspective (which is fine considering her age) from her referring to the knot hole as "our knot hole". Jem on the other hand cried because he realized when the tree was plugged, Nathan had done it to ensure that Boo Radley wouldn't be able to contact them or the outside world again - this took away his hope.

Source(s)

my brain

At the last of chapter7,Jem was crying.He might know that it was Boo who gave them gifts.Maybe Jem was sympathy for Boo.

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