Character Analysis - Jem

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PART ONE

Page Reference	Quotation	What do we learn about the character through this quotation?	Language Technique/s	How does the technique help us understand/respond to the character?
Jem touches the Radley house, p.21	“Jem wanted Dill to know once and for all the he wasn’t scared of anything ... I knew he was afraid”	The responder is positioned to understand Jem’s need for approval from Dill. However Lee also shows us Jem’s true insecurity about touching the Radley house. She does this through providing Scout’s insight into Jem’s feelings.	Juxtaposition of Jem’s need to impress Dill and Scout’s awareness of his true fear	Juxtaposition has been used to show the contrasting ideas about Jems outward attitude of bravado, and his real inner feelings of fear. This communicates that Jm attempts to be outwardly brave but being human cannot help himself but have fear. It also shows how negatively he feels about Boo Radley at this early point of the novel.
Boo Radley game, pp.45-47	‘ “Je-m...” “Shut Up! He’s gone in the living room, he can hear us in there.” ’	Through this quote we learn that Jem Finch, the oldest child of Atticus Finch, is controlling and has much power over Scout, his younger sister.	The language technique used in this quote is imperatives. This is shown where Jem orders Scout to ‘Shut Up!’	This technique helps the audience see how Jem is more powerful than Scout. Being the older sibling, Jem and Scout co-operate in a natural pecking order which means that Jem is naturally more powerful and more authoritative over his younger sister Scout.
Attempt to peek in at Boo, pp.57-63; Jem’s trousers
Incidents at Mrs Dubose’s house, p.107
Jem reads to Mrs Dubose, p.112
Jem's Reaction to the death of Mrs Dubose, p.120-121 (Thanks Natalie!)	"He picked up the camellia, and when I went off to bed I saw him fingering the wide petals."	We understand that Jem is starting to grow up and mature through this incident. We understand that Jem is feeling regret for what he did to Mrs Dubose's garden and is starting to learn the true nature of courage.	The camellia symbolism of Mrs Dubose	Through the symbolism of the camellia, we are able to understand that Jem is learning the true value of courage and of life. At the beginning of the incident, when Jem cut off the camellia heads in Mrs Dubose's garden, it showed his resentment towarsd Mrs Dubose, and through his new outlook towards the camellia after Atticus' teaching, he is able to value Mrs Dubose and her courage.

PART TWO

Page Reference	Quotation	What do we learn about the character through the quotation?	Language Technique/s	How does the technique help us understand/respond to the character?
Jem growing up, p.121
Jem’s concerns about Atticus; mob outside the jail, pp.154-161
Jem’s ideas about the trial, pp.214-218
Jem’s reaction to the verdict, pp.218-222
Jem’s views on people, p.213
Jem’s views on justice, pp.225-227
Attack on Jem and Scout, p.260-269

Mockingbird Group

Page Reference	Quotation	What do we learn about the character through this quotation?	Language Technique/s	How does the technique help us understand/respond to the character?
Jem growing up, p.125	“Mis-ter Jem?” “Yeah, he’s just about Mister Jem now.”	He is and growing up and he is not a kid anymore. People are beginning to notice that.	Formal Language	Formal language is used to show his maturity
Jem’s concerns about Atticus; mob outside the jail, pp.163-169	“Son, I said go home”	This quotation shows Jem’s stubborn personality as well as his protective and caring side of his personality .	Imperative Language	Imperative tone is used to show the responder that Atticus is trying to make Jem go home, but Jem is concerned for his safety so he is disobeying orders .
Jem’s ideas about the trial, pp.220-223	“To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white.”	Jem is very mature and beyond his years. He is very wise and he is like his father.	Syntax (Short Sentences) Metaphor Double Meaning	The syntax produces an atmosphere of suspense and intensity. It shows his wisdom regarding the case. The metaphor shows the parties involved, and shows Jem’s perspective on things, it shows how differently he thinks. Jem’s judgement is not blinded by politics.
Jem’s reaction to the verdict, pp.218-222	‘I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, his shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them’	We learn that Jem is very emotionally transfixed with the case and finds the verdict personally damaging.	Visual Imagery	We understand that Jem feels a sort of connection to the case and shows us how the verdict impacts him physically and emotionally.
Jem’s views on people, p.213
Jem’s views on justice, pp.225-227	“It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful cry crowd. ‘It ain’t right’, he muttered	Through this quotation we learn that Jem believes that justice is not fair in the circumstances and the verdict is unjust	Emotive Language	In this quote it is contrasting emotive language in the angry tears but the cheerful crowd creates a strong sense of irony, and this shows that a 12 year old is more mature many ways than grown adults.