Cite this page as follows:
“What advice does Atticus give Scout about dealing with Jem?” eNotes Editorial, 8 Dec. 2018, https://www.enotes.com/topics/to-kill-a-mockingbird/questions/what-advice-atticus-give-scout-dealing-jem-1276461. Accessed 15 Sep. 2022.
Adjectives are words that describe things. Theyre an essential part of language but can be rather over-used. In the wrong hands, they can be used to exaggerate, and thats precisely what Jem frequently does in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout looks up to her brother, but even at such…
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Adjectives are words that describe things. Theyre an essential part of language but can be rather over-used. In the wrong hands, they can be used to exaggerate, and thats precisely what Jem frequently does in To Kill a Mockingbird. Scout looks up to her brother, but even at such an early age, she instinctively knows that not everything he says is true. Like a lot of boys his age, Jem has a real problem separating subjective opinion from objective fact, and his tall stories are legendary. Fortunately, wise old Atticus is on hand to provide his usual sage advice. He tells Scout that, although Jem has a point about school being largely a waste of time until sixth grade, its important not to take his words to heart.
In chapter 7, Scout continues to lament about school and describes the second grade as being “grim.” However, Jem encourages Scout by assuring her that school gradually becomes enjoyable the older she gets and says that nothing pertaining to school is valuable until she reaches the sixth grade. Scout then mentions that Jem went through a brief “Egyptian Period,” where he would walk rigidly like the portraits on hieroglyphs. Jem even tells Scout that the Egyptians invented more things than Americans, which is amazing because he believes Egyptians could not walk or move fluently. Scout then mentions that Atticus gave her a valuable piece of advice for dealing with Jem by saying,
Essentially, Atticus understands that his son has a fantastical imagination and humorously cautions Scout not to believe everything her brother tells her. Atticus is advising Scout to take most of what her brother says with a grain of salt.
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This means that until youre ready to take the time to understand someone else and put yourselves in their position, you have no right to judge them.
What does this mean Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win?
When Atticus states “Simply because i was licked 100 years before we began isn’t any reason behind us not to try and win” directly into Kill a Mockingbird, he implies that though they know the prejudice in Maycomb will likely result in a guilty sentence for Tom, it’s still essential that Atticus attempt to defend him.
FAQ
What advice did Atticus offer Scout?
What advice does Atticus give Jem?
“Just hold your head high and be a gentleman,” Atticus advises Jem. “Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad.” True to form, Atticus disarms Mrs.
Why does Atticus give advice to Scout?
What does Atticus say to Scout about fighting?
