Wednesday, July 24, 2013

In To Kill a Mockingbird, what does Jem do that shocks Dill and Scout in Chapter 14?

Scout stepped on something in the dark in her bedroom.  Thinking it was a snake, she went to Jem's room to get him.  Upon further inspection, they discovered that it was Dill, who had run away from home.  Scout, Jem, and Dill trusted one another.  Dill expressed his desire for them not to reveal his presence in the Finch house.  Jem, however, made a decision that shocked Scout and Dill.  He told Dill that they should let his mother know.  Then Jem decided to tell Atticus:



"Dill's eyes flickered at Jem, and Jem looked at the floor.  Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood" (To Kill a Mockingbird, Chapter 14).



When Jem called for Atticus, he broke the trust that he had previously had with Dill and Scout.  They felt betrayed by him.  Atticus came into the room.  He made Dill feel welcomed, but did decide to tell his aunt.  After Atticus left, "Jem was standing in a corner of the room, looking like the traitor he was."

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