To Kill a Mockingbird, though
narrated by the young Scout, is really Jem's story of growing up during the difficult
events in Maycomb. He is one of the kids for the early part of the novel, playing silly
games and acting out silly plays with Scout and Dill. Then several events kind of set
him apart from the younger two. One is his overalls being repaired by, apparently, Boo
Radley. Jem is clearly shaken by the incident, and it begins his journey of awareness
of life beyond his own front porch. Next is his episode with Mrs. Dubose. He sees her
as nothing but a bitter, ranting woman, until Atticus forces him to do some time at her
bedside and eventually explains the true courage Jem had witnessed firsthand as Mrs.
Dubose kicked her morphine addiction. Another life
lesson.
When the trial comes, Jem is intent on the legal
issues and can't wait to get to the trial. As the events and evidence unfold, Jem is
positive the jury can do nothing short of acquitting Jim. He understands what has
happened here (unlike Scout), so he is crushed, literally, when the guilty verdict is
returned. The morning after the trial is over, Jem is talking with Miss Maudie, and she
pays him the respect of speaking to him as if her were an adult. This shift in
thinking is solidified and symbolized when Jem no longer gets his own mini cake but gets
a slice of the "adult" cake instead.
Scout and Jem start
out in this novel as children; by the end, though, Jem has seen a little more of life's
reality probably more than anyone would have liked. Though Scout tells the story as she
sees it, this is the story of Jem's journey into manhood.
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