Chapter 6, Chris DiFonzo

Chapter 6, Chris DiFonzo

Plot Summary:

On Dill’s final night in Maycomb for the summer, Jem and Scout head over to Mrs. Rachel’s fish pool to sit with Dill. After a short period of time at the fish pool, characterized by Dill’s construction of a cigarette, Dill decides that they should go on walk. Jem goes along but Scout objects realizing that no one just goes for a walk and questions what their actual intent is. After being told to go home if she is going to keep discouraging them and following being called a girl, Scout reluctantly joins. They then proceed to the Radley house and seize the advantages that the last night of summer presents to get a peek inside the loose shutter at the Radley house.

Failing to see through the curtains on the side window, Jem goes to porch at the back of the house. There he peeks inside and the three children observe an ominous shadow of a man with a hat strolling inside. Then, Jem leaps off the porch and flings open the gate as Scout and Dill follow. Unseen by the children, Nathan Radley, comes outside to scare away the intruders and shoots a single shot from his shot gun into the air. Still scurrying to escape the yard, Dill and Scout dive under the wire fence and book it to the school yard, while Jem gets his pants stuck on the fence and is forced to leave them behind.

The neighborhood gathers outside the Radley house to discuss the gunfire, and Dill, Jem, and Scout, show up to avoid suspicion. The rumor circulating among the crowd was that Nathan shot to scare a Negro from his yard and that next time he hears any sound, he will shoot at whatever it may be. To explain Jem’s lack of pant to the crowd, Dill develops a story in which Jem lost them in strip poker. Atticus tells Jem to get his pants from Dill and come home. At home, Jem confides in Scout that he's going back to the Radley's to get his pants. Scout once again objects because of her fear for his life, but Jem would rather risk life than admit to Atticus that he lied.

Changes and Developments:

There are several changes and developments that occur during this chapter. Jem and Scout continue to grow apart because Scout consistently objects to Jem’s daring plans. They no longer see eye to eye on anything, and Scout is unable to understand or justify peeking at the Radley house or returning for his pants. Scout seems to tag along just to be included. In the chapter the issue that involves Dill’s ignoring of Scout is somewhat resolved when he kisses her upon his departure. Also, we meet Mr. Avery and learn a limited description about his boarding across the street from the Dubose house, tendencies to remain on the porch until 9, and his sneezing. Early in the chapter, Scout struggles with the internal conflict on whether to defend her honor and go on the dangerous Radley house mission with the boys, or stay home and assume the title of being a girl. She decides to go. An external conflict arises as Dill, Scout, and Jem attempt to escape unseen from the Radley house. They successfully do so but it leads to another external conflict, whether or not Jem should return for his pants. He decides to risk his life against the will of Scout but manages to succeed. When Jem goes to the Radley house even at the risk of his own life just so his lie is not revealed to his father, it shows just how important his relationship with his father is.

Significant Quotations:

Jem

“Scout, I’m telling you for the last time, shut your trap or go home I declare to the lord that you are getting more like a girl everyday. (69)”

This quote shows how Jem and Scout’s relationship continues to deteriorate because Scout constantly objects, however seems to always want to be included so she puts her feeling aside.

Scout

I admired my brother. Matches were dangerous, but cards were fatal” 73.

This quote shows how much through everything, Scout looks up to her brother.

Literary Element:

Irony

It was ironic that Atticus would rather hear that gambling between Jem and Dill involved matches not cards, because often kids are given decks of cards and constantly reminded to never play with matches. Also matches are far more dangerous than cards because they can start a fire.

Vocabulary:

Kudzu- a fast-growing Chinese and Japanese climbing vine

Breeches- knee-length trousers, often having ornamental buckles or elaborate decoration at or near the bottoms

Critical Thinking

· Do you think Scout will ever truly stand up to Jem to do the right thing, or will she always follow his lead just so she’s included?

· Do think it was reasonable risk for Jem to go back for his pants?