To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

silversunset63
silversunset63
Student
High School - 10th Grade

In To Kill A Mockingbird, what excerpt from the novel best defines Jem as a person?

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Posted by silversunset63 on Wednesday April 22, 2009 at 4:51 PM and tagged with character, jem, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:

  1. mshurn
    mshurn Teacher
    College - Freshman

    eNotes Editor

    Jem's character is very clearly defined through his actions in this passage from the conclusion of Chapter 21 as Scout recounts the outcome of Tom Robinson's trial:

    Judge Taylor was polling the jury: "Guilty . . . guilty . . . guilty . . . guilty . . ." I peeked at Jem; his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each "guilty" was a separate stab between them.

    Watching the jury return their outrageous verdict was enormously shocking and painful for Jem. The truth of Tom's innocence was so obvious, Jem was certain justice would prevail and Tom would be freed. When Tom was not released, Jem's idealism and decency had not prepared him for such a blow. Like his father, Jem was a fair-minded and compassionate person. After the trial, when Jem saw his father again, Jem's face was "streaked with angry tears" as he said over and over again, "It ain't right." 

     

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/chapter-21-summary-anal...
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/chapter-22-summary-anal...
    http://www.enotes.com/mockingbird/character-analysis

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    Posted by mshurn on Friday April 24, 2009 at 4:04 PM