Illustration of a bird perched on a scale of justice

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

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Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

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That summer, Dill proposes to Scout and then forgets about it. Despite Scout’s attempts to jog his memory by beating him up, Dill ignores her and grows closer and closer to Jem. This frees her to spend more time with their neighbor, Miss Maudie Atkinson, a middle-aged woman who likes to garden and lets the Finch children run through her yard as much as they like as long as they don’t disturb her azaleas. Miss Maudie knew Scout’s uncle, Jack Finch, a strange man who proposed to her every Christmas by shouting across the street. She never married him and is, in fact, a widow, having been married to a man we never meet, but that doesn’t stop Uncle Jack from trying to get her goat, so to speak.

One evening, Scout asks Miss Maudie if Boo is alive, and she explains that his real name is Mr. Arthur Radley and that of course he’s alive. His father, Mr. Radley, was a foot-washing Baptist (as opposed to a regular Baptist like Miss Maudie), and this appears to have had some effect on Boo, though it’s unclear what it is, exactly. According to Miss Maudie, most of the gossip about Boo comes from Stephanie Crawford and the African American community, which is commonly believed to be more superstitious than the rest of Maycomb. Miss Maudie didn’t put any stock in this gossip, though.

The next morning, Jem and Dill tell her about their cockamamie plan to send Boo a note through the broken shutter on the side of the Radley house. Jem plans to do this by sticking the note to an old fishing pole and trying to drop it onto the windowsill. This is, unsurprisingly, ineffective, and Atticus catches them in the act. He gives them a long lecture about not tormenting Boo, and then uses his skill as a lawyer to trick the truth about the play out of Jem. Jem, who used to say that he wanted to be a lawyer like Atticus, waits until Atticus is out of earshot to yell that he isn’t so sure he wants to be a lawyer after the way Atticus treated him.

Allusions

The Second Battle of the Marne (July 15 - August 6, 1918). Unbeknownst to the Germans, this was to be their last major offensive of World War I and would mark the beginning of the Allied advance. About one hundred days after the battle, the Armistice that ended the war was declared. This was a particularly bloody and important battle, and the fact that Scout compares it to Miss Maudie’s war against nut grass reflects the sheer level of intensity that Miss Maudie brings to this endeavor. It’s also a pithy observation that suggests that, in spite of Scout’s evident boredom in the classroom, she did, in fact, learn something.

Idioms

One example of an idiom is “get your goat,” which Uncle Jack uses in reference to his (repeated) proposals to Miss Maudie, whom he likes to tease (unsuccessfully, Scout says).

Metaphor

Miss Maudie tells Scout that foot-washing Baptists think "women are a sin by definition." This is untrue, of course, but it's still a metaphor because it equates two unlike things, women and sin, in an attempt to demonstrate how these foot-washers think and feel.

Personification

One example of this would be Miss Maudie telling Scout that the Radley house is a "sad house," meaning that it's not the fearsome place Scout believes it to be. It's "sad" because the things that happen inside it are sad or elicit pity from Miss Maudie.

Themes

Gossip. In this chapter, Miss Stephanie Crawford becomes a more prominent force within the Maycomb gossip mill. We'll later discover that she is in fact the biggest gossiper in town, but for now, she's just a source of amusement. When Miss Maudie asks her if she made room for Boo in bed, Scout misses the sexual implication and just thinks that it's Miss Maudie's voice that shuts Stephanie up for a while.

Sin. Miss Maudie tells Scout that foot-washers believe "women are a sin by definition." This won't be the last time we hear that something is a sin. Mr. Radley believed that anything that's "pleasure is a sin." Atticus thinks that it's a "sin to kill a mockingbird." The question of what is and isn't right in the eyes of God preoccupies many characters in the novel and establishes a kind of moral high ground that others either ignore or aspire to, depending on their own definition of sin.

Expert Q&A

In chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Scout say "Dill was becoming something of a trial anyway"?

In chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout says "Dill was becoming something of a trial anyway" because she feels left out and jealous. Dill, who once showed affection towards Scout, is now spending more time with Jem, leading Scout to feel neglected and confused about her feelings as she matures.

What is the theme of Chapter 5 in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 5, themes of tolerance, knowledge vs. ignorance, and innocence are explored. Atticus Finch urges the children to respect Boo Radley's privacy, teaching tolerance and the importance of understanding others' perspectives. He also highlights the difference between guilt and innocence by catching Jem in a lie. Miss Maudie counters local myths about Boo, emphasizing knowledge over ignorance and encouraging Scout to see Boo as a kind person despite rumors.

Why does Miss Maudie call Scout "morbid" in Chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Miss Maudie calls Scout "morbid" in Chapter 5 when Scout asks if Boo Radley is still alive. This question is considered morbid because it focuses on death, reflecting curiosity about Boo, who remains reclusive and indoors. Miss Maudie contrasts this with her love of the outdoors, suggesting that Boo's lifestyle is morbidly confined. Additionally, it implies the only time Boo might be seen is upon his death, which is a grim thought.

In chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, who did Jem send a note to and what did it say?

In Chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem and Scout attempt to send a note to Boo Radley, expressing their appreciation for the gifts left in the tree's knothole. The note, signed by "Jem Finch" and "Jean Louise Finch (Scout)," thanks Boo for his generosity. However, the next day they discover the knothole has been filled with cement, preventing further communication.

What does the phrase "raveling a thread" mean in chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

In chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, "raveling a thread" means to take a small piece of information or thought and expand on it. Miss Maudie uses this phrase figuratively to describe how she is pondering and speculating about the Radley family and the secrets that might exist behind closed doors.

In chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why does Jem wait until Atticus is out of earshot to yell at him?

Jem waits until Atticus is out of earshot to yell at him because he respects his father and wants to avoid getting into trouble. Although frustrated, Jem doesn't wish to hurt Atticus's feelings or face potential consequences for impulsive behavior. His anger leads him to express sentiments he doesn't truly mean, and confronting Atticus directly could result in a lesson about impulsiveness and disrespect.

Who follows the letter and spirit of the law in chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem follows the letter of the law but not the spirit when he continues playing the "Boo Radley game" after Atticus tells him to stop. Jem changes the names of the characters, technically adhering to Atticus's directive, but this still violates the spirit of the instruction meant to protect Boo Radley. Miss Maudie follows the spirit of Christianity by enjoying nature, contrasting with literalist "foot washing Baptists."

In Chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird, what lawyer's trick did Jem fall into?

In Chapter 5, Atticus Finch uses his lawyer skills to trick Jem into confessing that he and Scout were trying to communicate with Boo Radley. When Jem denies making fun of Boo, Atticus subtly leads him to reveal their true intentions of putting Boo's life on display. This moment demonstrates Atticus's ability to make Jem see the implications of his actions, a typical lawyer's technique of revealing the truth through careful questioning.

What are two significant quotes from chapter 5 of To Kill a Mockingbird?

Two significant quotes from Chapter 5 highlight Atticus Finch's character. Miss Maudie tells Scout, "sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of—oh, of your father," illustrating Atticus's non-judgmental nature. Another quote, "Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets," underscores his integrity and consistency, preparing readers for his role in the upcoming trials.

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