Jem's Trial Quotes

“‘Go home, Jem,’ he said. ‘Take Scout and Dill home.’ Jem shook his head… In the midst of this strange assembly, Atticus stood trying to make Jem mind him. ‘I ain’t going,’ was his steady answer to Atticus’ threats, requests, and finally, ‘Please, Jem, take them home’” (Lee 204). This illustrates how much older Jem has become. He now comprehend that his father is in a tough situation and dismisses his order to leave. Jem also “betrayed” Scout and Dill when he told Atticus that Dill had been hiding under the bed. He tells Scout she should start acting like a girl, and he says he has outgrown the tree house; undoubtedly, this conveys that Jem is growing up. Jem intentionally disobeys his father. He understands he is putting himself at risk for his dad and

They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it, seems like only children weep. Good night’” (Lee 285).

When the trial ends, Jem is distressed. He understood Tim Robinson’s reasoning and his father’s defense. He, and the jury, knows that Tom Robinson is innocent. Jem is maturing, although he still clings to his childish ideals that the good always win. The fact that his neighbors are accusing a vulnerable man to death is a hard for Jem to handle, and he beg Atticus for a justification.

When Atticus is explaining that the innocent are not always spared, and the good do not always win, he tells Jem “They’ve done it before… and they’ll do it again” (Lee 285). Atticus indirectly explains that this is not a one-time occurrence. Only children, who are not corrupt with the mentality of adults, can comprehend the unjust of what has happened.

Furthermore, this quote conveys the frustration Atticus is beginning to feel. Tom Robinson was put to death for a crime that he did not do. Jem’s innocence slipping away through having to witness the traumatizing events surrounding him.

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