Character Study of Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird :: To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

In To Kill a Mockingbird Jem is Sc aways older brother who acts as a protector and mentor when their father, Atticus, is not present. (Scout is the main character) Both of the children argon moulded and shaped by their father Atticus, Jem more so than Scout, only this is likely down to his age, Atticus brings the children up to stand by their beliefs but to carry the beliefs and views of others, and to take a look at the way another soulfulness would squ are off the situation. The teachings of Atticus have a profound impact on Jem. Jem is a role model for Scout, when Atticus is not around he acts in his stead. Here are a few qualities we see Jem heighten through the course of the story.Jem has a respect for all living creatures, a belief Atticus has instilled in him, Atticus is a firm worshiper in not eat uping animals unless absolutely necessary and we stomach see how Jem develops this quality in himself. When Jem and Scout receive air rifles Atticus tells Jem ? accept all t he Bluejays you want, if you can hit ?em, but remember it?s a sin to go through a Mockingbird.? Atticus, in a roundabout straighten out of way, told Jem he could kill Bluejays because, they are pests and even though he doesn?t like killing animals he allows Jem to shoot at the Bluejays, but to kill a Mockingbird, who does nothing but help and please people, is not acceptable. We later on see Jem shooting tin cans in the back yard in spite of the large numbers of Bluejays flying around him, which Scout thinks is stupid because you are allowed to shoot Bluejays so why shoot at the tin cans? He has the option to but decides he doesn?t have to kill the birds. ? When he gave us our air rifles Atticus wouldn?t teach us to shoot. Uncle fathead instructed us in rudiments thereof, he said Atticus wasn?t interested in guns*. Atticus said to Jem one day, ?I?d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you?ll go after birds. Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit ?em , but remember it?s a sin to kill a mocking-bird.*This is rather ironic seeing as Atticus turns out to be the best shot in Maycomb, he just doesn?t like using guns because he sees his gift for shooting as an unfair advantage over animals.