Chapter 7 Summary and Analysis
Jem tells Scout what really happened when he went back for his pants that night: when he snuck back, he found that someone had mended them and left them on the fence for him to find. What's more, that someone didn't do a very good job of mending the pants, which leads Jem to think that someone knew he was coming back for them, like they read his mind. While they're talking, they pass the knothole, where they find a ball of twine. Scout convinces Jem to leave it there for a few days, in case it's someone's secret hiding place. When the ball is still there days later, they decide to keep it.
Soon after Jem goes through a phase where he tries to walk like an Egyptian, he and Scout find a pair of soap dolls that look just like them in the knothole. This confirms their suspicion that these knothole items are indeed intended to be gifts and that someone is trying to be their friend. Next, they find a watch and knife on a chain that Atticus says would be worth ten dollars if it were still running. Jem tries to fix the watch, but fails. Still, he wears it around, imitating Atticus, who has a real pocket watch that belonged to their grandfather.
When the kids go to place a thank you letter into the knothole, they find that Mr. Nathan Radley has already filled it up with cement. He tells them he did it because the tree is sick, but Jem asks Atticus, and he says the tree isn't sick at all. Later, Scout finds Jem crying and doesn't understand why. It's implied that he's crying because he realized that Boo was giving them the gifts and that Nathan tried to stop him.
Personification
One example of this would be the pants sitting on the fence "like they were expectin'" Jem.
Symbols
Gifts. Traditionally, gifts are symbols of one's affection or appreciation for their recipient. In the case of the gifts left for Jem and Scout in the knothole, they're communiques meant, most likely, to build trust between Boo and the Finch children and prove to them that there's no reason to be afraid of him. However, because the kids are forced to infer who left these gifts for them, their true intent is the subject of some speculation.
Jem's Pocket Watch. Unlike Atticus' pocket watch, which is a symbol of time and social status, Jem's pocket watch is a symbol of his respect for his father, whom he tries to emulate by carrying the watch and chain he finds in the knothole. It's also a symbol of their burgeoning friendship with Boo Radley.
The Knothole. The knothole is a medium of communication and, thus, symbolizes the connection that Boo tries to establish with the Finch children. His gifts represent his affection for Scout and Jem. When the knothole is cemented up, that line of communication closes, symbolizing the divide between Boo and the other characters in the novel.
Expert Q&A
What does Scout find in the knothole of the tree in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Scout discovers several items hidden in the knothole of the tree, such as a couple sticks of gum, a small box containing coins, a ball of twine, two figures carved from soap, an entire pack of gum, a spelling medal, and a pocket-watch. Eventually, she and Jem realize that Boo Radley is the one leaving these "gifts," and they are extremely upset when Nathan Radley plugs the knothole with cement.
What is a meaningful quote from chapter 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
Meaningful quotations from chapter 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird include the opening lines that reveal Scout's growing empathy, the incident in which Jem and Scout find the two little figures in the knot-hole, Jem's realization that having a prized possession includes responsibility, and Jem's tears over the cementing of the knot-hole.
What were the seven items found in the tree in To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the reclusive Boo Radley communicates with Jem and Scout through seven items placed in a tree's knot-hole in his yard: sticks of Wrigley's Double Mint gum, two Indian coins, grey twine, soap figures resembling Jem and Scout, old spelling bee medals, an old watch, and an aluminium knife. These gifts, which the children initially believe are hidden treasures, are ultimately understood to be tokens of friendship from Boo.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, what's the significance of the gifts in the tree trunk's knothole?
In To Kill a Mockingbird, the significance of the gifts that appear in the knothole of the tree trunk is twofold. First, it indicates that Boo Radley is trying to communicate with Scout and Jem. Secondly, it shows us that Boo isn't the boogie-man that local legend makes him out to be.
Why is Jem moody at the beginning of chapter 7 in To Kill a Mockingbird? Does the chapter reveal the source of his moodiness?
Jem is moody at the beginning of Chapter 7 because he feels guilty for disobeying Atticus by trying to sneak into Boo Radley's house. This guilt is compounded by the fear of punishment and the realization that Boo is not the "creepy bad guy" he imagined. Later in the chapter, Jem discovers that Boo had mended his pants, revealing Boo's kindness and deepening Jem's feelings of remorse and confusion.
What are Jem's feelings about the items in the tree in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Jem initially views the items in the tree with suspicion and fear due to the ominous reputation of the Radley place. However, as he discovers soap dolls resembling him and Scout, his perception shifts to appreciation, realizing Boo Radley is reaching out with gifts. When Nathan Radley cements the tree hole, Jem is upset, understanding Boo's gesture of friendship. This change reflects Jem's maturation and growing empathy towards Boo.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, what gifts in the tree's knot-hole reveal about the plot?
The gifts in the tree's knot-hole, including chewing gum, twine, a medal, a watch, pennies, and soap dolls, reveal Boo Radley's silent communication with Jem and Scout. These items suggest Boo's awareness and affection for the children, as he watches them pass by. The presence of these gifts and the later cementing of the hole by Nathan Radley indicate Boo's desire to connect and protect, foreshadowing his heroic intervention during Bob Ewell's attack.
What are Miss Stephanie's indirect and direct characterizations in chapters 7 and 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In chapters 7 and 8 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Stephanie is characterized both directly and indirectly. Indirect characterization occurs when Scout implies Miss Stephanie is unattractive and unintelligent. Direct characterization is seen when Scout explicitly describes Miss Stephanie's physical appearance, calling her "Fat in the middle and little-bitty arms." Additionally, a brief mention of her house can be considered direct characterization.
In Chapter 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird, why wasn't the letter Scout and Jem left in the tree delivered?
The letter Scout and Jem left in the tree was not delivered because Nathan Radley filled the knot-hole with cement. In Chapter 7, Nathan Radley claims he did this because the tree was dying, but the real reason was to stop Boo Radley, his son, from leaving gifts for the children. This action prevented Scout and Jem from expressing their gratitude to Boo for the items they had been finding.
In "To Kill a Mockingbird" chapter 7, how does the weather relate to Maycomb's culture?
The weather in Chapter 7 reflects Maycomb's stagnant and slow-moving culture. The lack of distinct seasons symbolizes the town's resistance to change, mirroring its old-fashioned and unchanging traditions. Just as the weather drifts without clear transitions, Maycomb remains static while the rest of the country progresses. This description underscores themes of stagnation and continuity in the town's social and cultural life.
What is Mr. Avery's belief about the snow in Chapter 7 of To Kill a Mockingbird?
In Chapter 7, Mr. Avery attributes the rare snowfall in Maycomb to the misbehavior of children, claiming that their disobedience causes weather changes. This belief reflects the superstitions and prejudices in the community, particularly against children. While Mr. Avery likely doesn't truly believe this, his comments highlight the tendency of Maycomb's residents to seek simple explanations for unusual events and contrast with Atticus Finch's rational and moral perspective.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, chapter 7, what does Jem's reluctance to cry in front of Scout foreshadow?
Jem's reluctance to cry in front of Scout in Chapter 7 foreshadows his emotional response to Tom Robinson's conviction. This moment marks Jem's first realization of adult dishonesty when Nathan Radley fills the knothole with cement, symbolizing a loss of innocence. It prepares him for the harsh realities of racial injustice, leading to his visible distress after witnessing Robinson's wrongful conviction, highlighting his growing awareness of the world's injustices.
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