The significance of the "roly-poly" is it shows that Scout is still young, and immature, and that Jem is more delicate and, humane person. After Jem tells Scout to gently put the "roly-poly" down, Scout is in great amazement about Jem's behavior. "Jem was the one who was getting more like a girl every day, not I" (Lee 320). When Scout calls Jem a girl it means that Jem is becoming more empathetic, and sympathetic towards life. That no matter who or what this thing is, Jem will treat it with respect. Jem is turning into Atticus more and more as the book goes on. Atticus always hears the full story no matter who or what is saying it. As the book is ending and Harper Lee is wrapping up, she is showing how Jem will turn into an Atticus like character.
How do you think Harper Lee will show Jem's aging in the last chapters?
I think in the later chapters, Jem will start to feel more empathy for Scout. Right now it seems that Jem is only thinking of himself when he goes off with Dill but not Scout. I think he will start to see and feel what Scout feels later in the book.
ReplyDeleteI think that the roly-poly not only symbolizes Jem's aging, but his continued mental growth by questioning the differences between right and wrong. As we've seen throughout the book, doing something that you believe is right, even when others do not is difficult, especially in a one-minded town like Maycomb. As Scout says on page 320, "Jem was the one who was getting more like a girl every day, not I,". Although Jem and Scout strived to avoid controversy, especially in attempt to avoid fistfights at recess, Jem has seen that in order to have justice, one must stand up for what he believes in, even if it hurts him.
ReplyDeleteThis relates to the themes of justice, kindness and mercy which are really important throughout the book. Scout is about to kill the bug just because she can. Jem, being older, is able to see that this is a thoughtless and not a good thing to do and there is no need for it. He knows that people must learn to be kind to other things that don't have a way to defend themselves. The roly poly is an example of a mockingbird. He was smaller and weaker and Scout could kill him easily. Jem understands that it is wrong to kill something that hadn’t done anything to them.
ReplyDeleteThe Roly Poly represents Tom Robinson. I think the Roly Poly represents Tom Robinson because Jem does not want Scout to kill the Roly Poly because he says that it did not do anything to her and there is no reason for her to kill it. This relates to Tom Robinson because everyone knows he did not do anything to Mayella, but they kill him anyway even though he is an innocente man.
ReplyDeleteThe Roly Poly represents Tom Robinson. I think the Roly Poly represents Tom Robinson because Jem does not want Scout to kill the Roly Poly because he says that it did not do anything to her and there is no reason for her to kill it. This relates to Tom Robinson because everyone knows he did not do anything to Mayella, but they kill him anyway even though he is an innocente man.
ReplyDelete