Chapter+6

Chapter 6 Summary On Dill's last night in Maycomb, he and Jem decide to "peep in the window with the loose shutter to see if they could get a look at Boo Radley." Scout discourages them from going to the Radley house, but reluctantly decides to join them. Someone inside the Radley house comes out and fires a shotgun. The children scurry out of the yard, but Jem gets caught on the fence and is forced to remove his pants to get to safety. As the neighborhood gathers to discuss the gunfire, Dill thinks of an unlikely explanation for Jem's state of dress. Atticus tells Jem to get his pants from Dill and come home. At home, Jem tells Scout that he's going back to the Radleys house to get his pants. Scout starts to worry that if Jem returns to the Radleys collard patch that his life will be in danger, but Jem would rather risk life than admit to Atticus that he lied. Why does Scout disapprove of Jem and Dills plan of looking in at one of the Radleys windows? Some reasons as to why Scout disapproves are because of the rumours that have been spread about the Radleys in the town of Maycomb. Scout also disapproves because Atticus has told the children not to approach the Radley house and in executing their plan they are going against Atticus. What does Mr. Nathan Radley know about the intruders in his garden? Why does Miss Stephanie refer to a “negro” over whose head Mr. Nathan has fired? Nathan Radley knows that the shot in the air was to scare off the African American fellow who was intruding in his collard patch. Miss Stephanie says that Mr. Nathan won’t be so nice next time and that he won’t aim high and will shoot any intruders near his house. This is a prime example of prejudice in the book because according to Miss Stephanie it had to be a “Nigger” trespassing in Mr. Nathans collard patch because “who else would be caught at such an hour on the Radley property”? This also showed prejudiced from the whole town and discrimination to the African American people. Why does Dill’s explanation of Jem’s state of dress almost land him in trouble? It almost lands the children in trouble because he said that he had lost his pants playing strip poker by the fish pool which Miss Rachel heard and immediately was angry but Atticus saves Dill from receiving a very angry lecture from Miss Rachel.

Dictionary meanings for the chapter – Prejudice - an unfavourable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. Discrimination - treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favour of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit: racial and religious intolerance and discrimination. Bewilderment - a confusing maze or tangle, as of objects or conditions: // a bewilderment of smoke, noise, ////and pushing people //

Important quotes – “ It was then, I suppose, that Jem and I first began to part company. Sometimes I did not understand him, but my periods of bewilderment were short-lived." Chapter 6, pg. 61.