To Kill A Mockingbird Jem Selfish Quotes

“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome” (Parks, Rosa). To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee takes place in a small southern town in sleepy Maycomb County, Alabama during the Great Depression. Scout Finch lives with her older brother Jem and her father Atticus who is a prominent lawyer and a widow. Scout and Jem spend their time going to school and their summer spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbor Boo Radley who never comes out the house. This is quickly faded when Atticus is assigned to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of raping a white girl. Because of Atticus' position in the case, Jem and Scout face

Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house, inside Jem is fearful, but he confronts his fear and touches the house, all because “in all his life, Jem had never declined a dare” (Lee 16). Jem wants to impress people with bravery, by touching the house he shows his bravery. He does not decline dares because he feels he will seem weak if he did. Jem is courageous. Scout compliments her brother when she describes Jem’s tenacity by stating that he was “not one to dwell on past defeats” (Lee 68). Jem has courage. He does not let the past bring him down in the present. He forgets past defeats and focuses on winning the current fight. Jem is a very brave and courageous person who is not afraid to face anything that hits

While playing the tire game, Scout did not bring the tire back up because the tire stopped in front of the Radley house and she was scared, so Jem had to get it. After getting it, Jem insulted her by saying “Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin”(Lee 50). Jem can have chauvinism at times. He was implying that females were weak and that males are stronger and braver. This shows that Jem has some negative traits as well. Jem felt very superior of himself. While arguing with Scout on how she was antagonizing Aunt Alexandra, Jem said “That’s because you can’t hold something in your mind but a little while.” “It’s different with grown folks, we — ” (Lee 184). Scout narrated in response “His maddening superiority was unbearable these days. He didn’t want to do anything but read and go off by himself. Still, everything he read he passed along to me, but with this difference: formerly, because he thought I’d like it; now, for my edification and instruction” (Lee 184). Jem feels as if he is much more superior and better than Scout just because he is older. This contributes to him acting as more of an adult figure to Scout just like Atticus. This shows Jem has some negative traits as well. Jem sometimes discriminates people like his sister based on gender and