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PAPER 1
NOVEL: To Kill a Mockingbird
Character of Jem Finch is explored through various events that highlight his growth,
moral development, and the impact of societal issues in the context of the American
South during the 1930s,childhood innocence to a more complex understanding of
morality and justice.
KEY EVENTS:
● BOO RADLEY ( Innocent childhood games)
● BROTHER ( protective and sense of responsibility)
● MRS DUBOSE ( Learns about true Bravery :Fighting one’s own battles)
● TOM ROBINSON
i.Observation 1
Jem is introduced
● Scout's older brother
● Games
● Adventurous.
The Boo Radley Game
● Jem participates in games that revolve around the mysterious Boo Radley. He
leads the charge in daring Scout and Dill to approach the Radley house,
demonstrating his adventurous spirit.
● Jem, Scout, and Dill play games that revolve around Boo Radley, such as "Boo
Radley" whom they imagine as the "malevolent phantom and "The Radley
Game." Jem's curiosity about Boo shows his adventurous spirit.
Evidence:"a boy with a strong sense of adventure,"
● The moment when he retrieves his pants from the Radley yard signifies his
bravery and the beginning of his understanding of fear and respect for others.
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● Historical Context: The fear of the unknown and the superstitions surrounding
Boo reflect the social dynamics of the time, where racial and social prejudices
were prevalent reflecting on the innocence of childhood and the local
superstitions that permeate their community. The historical context of racial and
social tensions in the South is hinted at through their fascination with Boo, a
figure representing fear of the unknown.
ii. Observation 2
Jem as a protective brother growing into a mature character.Events that can be
used to make PEAL.
● Defending Scout from Bullies:Early in the novel, when Scout is confronted by
Walter Cunningham at school, Jem intervenes to protect her.
Evidence: He tells Scout, "You’re not gonna fight any more, are you?" This
shows his desire to shield her from conflict and ensure her safety.
● Consoling Scout:
○ After the trial, when Jem is upset about the verdict, he tries to comfort
Scout, showing his protective nature in an emotional sense.
Evidence: He tells her, "It’s okay, Scout. It’s okay." This moment illustrates
his role as a comforting figure, trying to shield her from the harsh realities
of their world.
● Standing Up to Atticus:
○ When Atticus is confronted by a mob outside the jail, Jem insists on
staying with his father, saying,
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Evidence:"We’re not going to leave you, Atticus." This shows his
protective instincts not only towards Scout but also towards their father,
demonstrating his growing maturity and sense of responsibility.
● The Night of the Attack:
○ During the climactic scene when Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, Jem
instinctively tries to protect Scout.
Evidence: After they are attacked, he says, "Scout, run! Run!" This
command highlights his immediate instinct to ensure her safety, even at
the risk of his own.
● After the Attack:
○ When they are rescued by Boo Radley, Jem is unconscious, and Scout is
frightened.
Evidence: After the attack, when Scout reflects on the events, she notes,
"Jem’s face was white and his eyes were closed." This moment
emphasizes Jem's vulnerability but also his role as a protector, as he had
been trying to shield Scout from harm.
iii. Observation 3
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● Interactions with Mrs. Dubose:
● Jem's punishment of reading to Mrs. Dubose exposes him to the
complexities of courage and moral strength. Her battle with addiction with
morphine and her determination to overcome it teaches Jem about true
bravery, contrasting with the physical courage he initially admired.
● Understanding True Courage:
Atticus emphasizes to Jem that real bravery is about perseverance in the
face of adversity.
Evidence: He states, "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of
getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand." This
statement shifts Jem's perspective from a simplistic view of bravery to a
more nuanced understanding.
● Mrs. Dubose's Battle:
Mrs. Dubose's fight against her morphine addiction serves as a powerful
example of inner strength. Despite her illness and the pain she endures,
she resolves to overcome her addiction before her death.
Evidence:Atticus tells Jem, “Real courage is when you know you're licked
before you begin but you begin anyway.”
Evidence:Atticus explains, "She was the bravest person I ever knew." This
reinforces the idea that true bravery is about facing one's own demons,
rather than external conflicts.(See historical context)
● Jem's Reflection:
After Mrs. Dubose's death, Jem reflects on her struggle and the lessons
learned. He acknowledges the complexity of bravery, realizing that it
involves personal battles that may not be visible to others. This moment
marks a significant growth in Jem's character as he begins to appreciate
the deeper meanings of courage.
● Impact on Jem:
The experience with Mrs. Dubose profoundly impacts Jem, shaping his
understanding of what it means to be brave. He learns that bravery is not
just about physical acts but also about moral strength and the resolve to
confront one's fears and challenges.
● Remember: The incident with Mrs. Dubose serves as a pivotal moment in
Jem's journey toward maturity and understanding of true bravery.
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● Historical Context:Mrs. Dubose is an old Confederate widow who holds
deeply racist and traditional Southern values.
● Her attitudes reflect the post-Civil War South, where many white
Southerners clung to ideas of white supremacy, honor, and personal
pride.
● The Southern code of honor valued personal strength and endurance,
even in the face of death. A relic of the Old South, Mrs. Dubose
represents a generation shaped by post-Civil War values of personal
honor and endurance.Morphine addiction was common among aging
Southerners after the Civil War, which adds realism to Mrs. Dubose’s
character. Her battle against addiction becomes a metaphor for resisting
weakness,a woman with racist beliefs, shows that courage can exist in
morally complex people.
● Note:This reframes Jem’s childish idea of bravery and helps him
understand that even people with hateful views can possess inner
strength, a complexity that reflects the moral contradictions of 1930s
Southern society.
iv.Observation 4:
the courtroom serves as a microcosm of the racial tensions in Maycomb. A notable
quote from Atticus Finch highlights this: "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority
rule is a person's conscience." This underscores the moral failings of the jury,
influenced by deep-seated racism. Additionally, when Atticus states, "In the name of
God, do your duty," he appeals to the jury's sense of justice, yet their verdict reveals
their racial biases. These moments illustrate the pervasive racism that taints the judicial
process.
● The Trial of Tom Robinson:
● Jem's experience during the trial is pivotal, making him initially hopeful
about justice, believing that the truth will prevail which later shatters his
faith in the legal system. ( shattering his childhood innocence, realizes that
the legal system is not always fair, and that societal prejudices can
overshadow truth and morality).
● The Testimony of Mayella Ewell:
Observes how Mayella's testimony is filled with inconsistencies and is
heavily influenced by her race. The courtroom's atmosphere is charged
with racial bias, as the white community rallies around her despite the lack
of credible evidence against Tom Robinson.
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● Atticus Finch's Defense:
Jem witnesses his father, Atticus, present a compelling defense that
highlights Tom's innocence. However, the jury's decision is ultimately
swayed by their racial prejudices rather than the facts of the case,
demonstrating the deep-seated racism in Maycomb.
Evidence: During Atticus's closing arguments, he asserts, "But there is
one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one
human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the
stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of
any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court."
Tom, the symbolic mockingbird, has been shot down by the very system
meant to protect him.This powerful statement highlights the ideal of justice
that Jem aspires to understand, contrasting sharply with the jury's
decision.
● The Reaction of the Jury /Jem’s Response:
The jury's swift conviction of Tom Robinson, despite overwhelming
evidence of his innocence, serves as a stark lesson for Jem. He realizes
that the color of Tom's skin plays a significant role in the jury's decision,
revealing the systemic racism embedded in the justice system.
Evidence : when Atticus states, "In the name of God, do your duty," he
appeals to the jury's sense of justice, yet their verdict reveals their racial
biases. These moments illustrate the pervasive racism that taints the
judicial process.
Evidence:Jem is devastated and exclaims, "I thought they’d be fair." This
statement underscores his initial belief in the justice system and his
subsequent disillusionment when faced with the reality of racial bias.
● Community Response:
Jem is struck by the reactions of the townspeople, many of whom openly
express their racist views. This exposure to the community's attitudes
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forces Jem to confront the reality of racism and its impact on justice,
leading to a painful awakening about human nature.
Evidence:After the trial, Jem expresses his disbelief, stating, "It’s like we’re
not even in the same world," which highlights the disconnect between the
ideals of justice and the reality of racial discrimination that the jury
embodies.
● Disillusionment with Justice:
His reaction to the trial's outcome, where he expresses disbelief and
anger, highlights his transition from innocence to a more nuanced
understanding of societal prejudice.
Evidence: He states, "It’s like being a caterpillar in a cocoon,"the use of
metaphor is indicating his realization of the harsh realities of the world.In
Chapter 10, Atticus tells Jem and Scout: “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
This idea is brought to life in the courtroom, where Tom — the
metaphorical mockingbird — is "killed" not physically yet, but morally and
legally by a racist jury.Jem’s disillusionment is the emotional consequence
of witnessing this symbolic act.
● Moral Growth:
Through these experiences, Jem's understanding of morality evolves. He
learns that true justice requires empathy and the courage to stand against
societal norms, shaping his character as he navigates the challenges of
growing up in a racially divided community.
Evidence: After the trial, Jem reflects, "I never thought about how much
the jury's decision would hurt Tom."This realization marks a significant
moment in Jem's moral development, as he begins to comprehend the
personal impact of systemic racism.
Historical Contect: The Jim Crow laws and institutionalised racism in the
1930s South is crucial here.(“in our courts, when it’s a white man’s word
against a black man’s, the white man always wins,”)
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