In , the
children begin receiving gifts in the knothole of the Radley tree from an anonymous person,
andhas a hunch thatis the gift-giver. However, Jem refrains from verbally expressing his
thoughts and decides to write a thank-you letter, which he plans on leaving in the knothole of
the tree. Unfortunately, Jem cannot deliver the letter, because Nathan Radley fills the knothole
with cement. When Jem asks why Nathan filled the knothole with cement, he tells Jem that the
tree is dying. Jem knows that his father won't lie to him and asksif the tree is dying. Atticus
responds by saying that the tree looks perfectly healthy and heads inside, while Jem remains
alone on the porch.
Jem cries by himself on the porch because he realizes
that he has just lost an opportunity to communicate with Boo Radley. Jem finally realized that
Boo Radley was a benevolent, compassionate neighbor and looked forward to developing a
friendship with him. Jem also cries because he has lost his childhood innocence after being lied
to by Nathan Radley. This is the first time that Jem recognized an adult has lied to him, which
is an emotional, eye-opening experience.
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