Scout is justified in fighting with Francis because she was simply defending her father and doing what Atticus had told her to do. Atticus hopes that Jem and Scout will come to him for their answers regarding what the town says, instead of simply listening to the common racist views of the town.

Scout fought with her cousin Francis at Christmas because he insulted her father for defending Tom Robinson. During the Christmas holiday, the Finch family visit the family homestead, Finch’s Landing, to see Aunt Alexandra and cousin Francis.

Scout tries fighting them. Atticus tells her that he does not want her to fight, and instead gives her advice: No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ’em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change… it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning” (Chapter 9).

After Francis insults her father, Scout can no longer control her anger and ends up punching him in the teeth. Later that night, Scout explains to her Uncle Jack that she felt extremely provoked. Scout already had negative feelings towards Francis, and when he began insulting Atticus, Scout reacted with violence.

Atticus sits outside of the jail in order to protect Tom Robinson from the lynch mob. Jem and Scout follow him, but they stay far enough away that he can’t see them.

Why does Jem openly defy Atticus and refuse to leave? Jem defies Atticus and refuses to leave in order to make sure Atticus does not get hurt. Atticus is affectionate towards Jem because he got himself hurt for Atticus.

14.3 What does Jem do that, to Scout, symbolizes the end of his childhood. When Jem and Scout find out that Dill traveled all the way from home to come visit them, Jem goes and tells Atticus. Jem is at the end of his childhood because he’s not lying anymore to Atticus, but is actually telling the truth.

Why did Heck Tate and the other men come to see Atticus? Heck Tate went to tell Atticus that Tom Robinson was being transferred. The other men gathered in Atticus’ front yard to show their support for him. Jem refuses to go home because he thinks the men might harm Atticus in his absence.

Aunt Alexandra

Aunt Alexandra says that she cannot go to her house. Atticus says that because Aunt Alexandra is under their roof, Scout must abide by her rules, as well. Aunt Alexandra believes that Calpurnia is not a good addition to the family. Atticus thinks that Calpurnia has had a good influence on Scout and Jem.

Alexandra does not want Scout to visit Cal’s neighborhood because she is prejudiced regarding African Americans. Alexandra also believes Cal is a bad influence on Scout and feels the Finch family should distance itself from the African American community in the wake of the Tom Robinson trial.

Once in her room, Scout begins walking in the dark to turn on the light. Unexpectedly, she steps on something that she believes is alive. When she turns on the light, there is nothing there. She knocks on Jem’s adjoining door to ask him about it, and he goes to get a broom in case it’s a snake.