Scout notices that Jem is changing in many ways. At the beginning of the novel, Jem saw the world similar to the way Scout saw it, with a child's point of view. Now, he exhibits a wiser and more serious attitude toward it, as an adult would.
A major theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is the journey from youth and innocence to
maturity and knowledge. How does Jem symbolize this theme in Chapter Twelve? What
evidence indicates that he is growing up and changing?
Dill sends Scout a letter telling her that he has a new father. He says he has to stay in Meridian this summer because he and his new father are going to build a fishing boat together. Scout is extremely disappointed. She has come to feel great affection
Why is Dill not coming to Maycomb this summer? How does Scout feel about his absence?
The state legislature has been called into emergency session because of civil unrest due to the country's economic troubles.
Why must Atticus leave for two weeks? How is his absence related to the country's economic troubles?
Calpurnia's church is called First Purchase African M.E. Church. It is called First Purchase because it was built with the first earnings of newly freed slaves.
What is the name of Calpurnia's church, and what is the significance of the name?
It is a poor church located in a remote area of town. One more difference occurs in the way the collection is taken up. Instead of passing around a plate, people go up to the pulpit one by one and put their donations into a coffee can.
Briefly describe Calpurnia's church. How does it differ from the church Jem and Scout usually attend? In what ways is it similar?
An angry and menacing woman named Lula insults Calpurnia for bringing Jem and Scout. Then she is put in her place by Rev. Sykes
When they arrive at the church, Scout and Jem experience first-hand what it feels like to be the object of racial intolerance. Briefly describe the incident and how it is resolved.
When the Reverend counts the money in the coffee can, he finds that it is not enough. The church must collect ten dollars to give to Helen Robinson, Tom Robinson's wife.
What prompts Reverend Sykes to order that the doors be closed and that no one be allowed to leave for a period of time?
People do not want to hire Helen because of what Tom has been accused of. As Calpurnia states, "Folks aren't anxious to�to have anything to do with any of his family.
Why is Helen Robinson finding it difficult to get work lately?
Calpurnia reveals that Bob Ewell has accused Tom Robinson of raping his daughter.
What more does the reader learn about Tom Robinson's arrest? Of what has he been accused, and who has accused him?
One person speaks the line of a song so the rest of the chorus knows what to sing. It is done at Calpurnia's church because many of the people in the church cannot read.
What is "linin'," and why is it done?
They learn that Calpurnia is much older than she looks, that she is one of only four people in her church who can read. Both children now see Calpurnia as an individual in her own right, with a life and a history of her own.
In this chapter, Scout and Jem seem to see Calpurnia in a new light. What do they learn about Calpurnia, and how does it change their views about her?