Friday, August 28, 2009

What are some quotes showing Alexandra, Jem, and others accepting of Scout for who she is in To Kill a Mockingbird?

is
portrayed as a rough tomboy, who enjoys playing outside and is always hanging out with her
brother and Dill.and Uncle Jack demonstrate their acceptance of Scout inwhen they purchase her
andair rifles for Christmas. Scout mentions,

We decorated
the tree until bedtime, and that night I dreamed of the two long packages for Jem and me. Next
morning Jem and I dived for them: they were from Atticus, who had written Uncle Jack to get them
for us, and they were what we had asked for. (Lee, 82)


Both Atticus and Jack do not attempt to force Scout into behaving like a quintessential
Southern Belle and accept her as a playful tomboy. By getting Scout an air rifle for Christmas,
Atticus and his brother reveal that they love and accept Scout for who she is.


Towards the beginning of the novel, Jem and Scout get into several altercations and
tend to get on each other's nerves. As the novel progresses, both children mature and Jem
accepts Scout's personality and interests. In , Aunt Alexandra tells Scout that Walter
Cunningham Jr. is trash and Jem can sense that Scout is about to retaliate. Scout then
mentions,

I dont know what I would have done, but Jem
stopped me. He caught me by the shoulders, put his arm around me, and led me sobbing in fury to
his bedroom. Atticus heard us and poked his head around the door. €˜s all right, sir, Jem said
gruffly, s not anything. Atticus went away.(Lee, 229)


Jem's ability to sympathize with Scout and understand her emotions demonstrates that he
accepts his sister for who she is. Jem recognizes when Scout is about to lose her temper and
intervenes at the perfect time. Jem accepts that Scout is an emotional, passionate girl and
appreciates her character and strong beliefs, which is why he prevents her from getting into
trouble.

Following Bob Ewell's vicious attack,carries Jem home and Aunt
Alexandra comes to Scout's aid when she walks through the door. After Alexandra makes sure Scout
is okay, she proceeds to give Scout her favorite pair of overalls to wear. Scout
mentions,

She [Aunt Alexandra] brought me something to put
on, and had I thought about it then, I would have never let her forget it: in her distraction,
Aunty brought me my overalls. (Lee, 268)

Aunt Alexandra's
gesture reveals that she accepts that Scout is a tomboy. Instead of attempting to conform Scout
into becoming a sensitive female, Alexandra allows Scout to wear her favorite overalls, which
represent Scout's rough, tomboy personality.

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