To Kill a Mockingbird Chapter 14 Summary, Flashcards & Quizzes
Notes
Overview
This chapter explores Jem's transition into adolescence, marked by moodiness and new values that create tension with Scout. It also highlights the Finch family's interactions with the Black community through their visit to Calpurnia's church, revealing themes of race, identity, and familial bonds.
Jem's Growing Pains: A Sister's Perspective
Introduction
- **Jem's Age**: Jem is twelve years old in this chapter.
- **Behavior Changes**: He exhibits difficult, moody behavior and a poor appetite.
- **Concern**: Scout consults Atticus about Jem's change, wondering if he has a tapeworm.
Jem's Transformation
- **Alien Values**: Jem has adopted new values and tries to impose them on Scout.
- **Conflict**: Scout feels hurt when Jem tells her to “start bein’ a girl and acting right.”
- **Calpurnia's Support**: Scout seeks comfort from Calpurnia, who reassures her about Jem's growing up.
Summer without Dill
- **Dill's Absence**: Dill is not present that summer, leading to Scout's feelings of loneliness and misery.
- **Dill's Letter**: He informs Scout about his new father and plans to build a fishing boat.
- **Impact of Absence**: Summer is associated with Dill, and his absence makes life unbearable for Scout.
Atticus's Work and Community Context
- **Atticus's Absence**: He leaves for two weeks due to an emergency session in the legislature.
- **Community Issues**: There are social issues in the background, such as strikes and poverty.
- **Newspaper Cartoon**: A cartoon depicts Atticus, indicating his dedication to work.
Calpurnia's Church Invitation
- **Calpurnia's Proposal**: She invites Jem and Scout to attend church with her.
- **Preparation for Church**: Calpurnia ensures they are well-dressed for the occasion, causing Jem some embarrassment.
- **First Purchase African M.E. Church**: Described as a significant place for the Black community, it stands out in Maycomb.
Encounter with Lula
- **Conflict at Church**: Lula confronts Calpurnia about bringing white children to a Black church.
- **Calpurnia's Response**: She defends Jem and Scout, emphasizing common faith.
- **Community Reaction**: Jem and Scout initially feel unwelcome, but others in the church, like Zeebo, show support.
Church Service Experience
- **Church Environment**: The church is depicted as humble, without typical church trappings like hymn-books.
- **Lining Hymns**: Zeebo leads the congregation in singing without hymn-books, which fascinates Jem and Scout.
- **Reverend Sykes's Sermon**: Addresses community issues and announces a collection for Tom Robinson’s wife.
Questions About Tom Robinson
- **Collection for Helen**: The church collects money to support Tom Robinson’s family.
- **Scout's Curiosity**: Scout asks Calpurnia about Tom's situation and why Helen struggles to find work.
- **Calpurnia's Explanation**: She explains the societal stigma attached to Tom’s accusations of rape.
Insights into Calpurnia's Background
- **Calpurnia's Dual Identity**: She navigates between two worlds, speaking differently depending on her audience.
- **Education and Language**: Calpurnia reveals her education and the challenges faced by her community regarding literacy.
- **Family History**: Calpurnia shares details about her past and her relationship with the Finch family.
Conclusion
- **Final Reflections**: Scout gains a deeper understanding of Calpurnia’s life and the complexities of race and identity in Maycomb.
- **Aunt Alexandra's Arrival**: The chapter ends with the arrival of Aunt Alexandra, signaling further familial dynamics at play.
Flashcards (23)
Study all 23 flashcards below. Tap each card in the interactive viewer to flip between question and answer.
Card 1: How old is Jem in Chapter 12?
Jem is twelve years old.
Card 2: What changes in Jem's behavior does Scout notice?
Scout notices that Jem is difficult to live with, inconsistent, and moody.
Card 3: What does Atticus suggest is the reason for Jem's changes?
Atticus suggests that Jem is growing and that Scout should be patient with him.
Card 4: What does Calpurnia say about Jem's growing up?
Calpurnia says that Jem is going to want to be off to himself a lot, doing whatever boys do.
Card 5: What news does Scout receive from Dill in his letter?
Dill informs Scout that he has a new father and will have to stay in Meridian because they are building a fishing boat.
Card 6: What does Jem mean by calling Atticus’s work 'dry'?
Jem implies that Atticus's work, like reorganizing tax systems, is uninteresting to most men.
Card 7: What is the name of the church that Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to?
The church is called First Purchase African M.E. Church.
Card 8: Why does Lula confront Calpurnia about bringing Jem and Scout to church?
Lula questions Calpurnia's decision to bring white children to a Black church, implying they have their own church.
Card 9: How does Calpurnia respond to Lula's confrontation?
Calpurnia tells Lula that Jem and Scout are her company and that they have the same God.
Card 10: What does Reverend Sykes announce at church?
Reverend Sykes announces that the collection will go to help Helen Robinson, Tom Robinson's wife.
Card 11: What does Scout learn about Tom Robinson's situation from Reverend Sykes?
Scout learns that Tom Robinson is in jail due to accusations of raping a white woman.
Card 12: What is the significance of the collection taken up for Helen Robinson?
The collection is significant because it highlights the community's support for Helen during Tom's legal troubles.
Card 13: Why does Calpurnia say they don’t have hymn books at the church?
Calpurnia explains that most of the congregation cannot read, so they use 'lining' to sing hymns.
Card 14: What does Calpurnia reveal about her own education?
Calpurnia reveals that she was taught to read by Miss Buford and that she has been working for the Finches or the Bufords her whole life.
Card 15: How does Calpurnia's language change between home and church?
Calpurnia speaks 'white-folks' talk at home and 'niggertalk' at church, adapting to the context she is in.
Card 16: What does Jem think about Calpurnia's way of speaking?
Jem comments that Calpurnia talks differently than the rest of the Black community, which surprises him.
Card 17: What lesson does Scout learn about race and community from this chapter?
Scout learns about the complexities of race relations and community support, particularly in the context of the church and Tom Robinson's situation.
Card 18: What does the church's physical description reveal about its community?
The church is described as an ancient, paint-peeled building, indicating its age and the economic struggles of the community.
Card 19: Why does Calpurnia insist on dressing Jem and Scout nicely for church?
Calpurnia wants to make sure they look presentable and that people do not say she does not look after her children.
Card 20: How do Jem and Scout feel about attending First Purchase Church?
Initially, they feel out of place and uncomfortable, especially when confronted by Lula, but they also experience curiosity and learn about the community.
Card 21: What does the church service reveal about the community's values?
The church service emphasizes community support, moral guidance, and the importance of faith in overcoming hardships.
Card 22: What does Calpurnia mean when she says 'It’s right hard to say' in response to why she speaks differently?
Calpurnia indicates that it's complicated to explain why she adapts her speech to fit different social contexts.
Card 23: What does Calpurnia's dual life suggest about her character?
Calpurnia's dual life suggests she is adaptable and navigates different social worlds, highlighting issues of race and identity.
Quiz (23 Questions)
Test your knowledge with all 23 multiple-choice questions. Select your answer for each question to check your understanding.
Question 1: What significant change occurred in Jem's character as he turned twelve?
Correct Answer: He became difficult and moody
Explanation: The text indicates that Jem's moodiness and difficulty in living with him increased as he grew older.
Question 2: What humorous suggestion did Scout make to Atticus about Jem's appetite?
Correct Answer: He might have a tapeworm
Explanation: Scout jokingly suggests to Atticus that Jem might have a tapeworm due to his poor appetite.
Question 3: What did Calpurnia mean by referring to Jem as 'Mister Jem'?
Correct Answer: He is trying to impose rules
Explanation: Calpurnia refers to Jem as 'Mister Jem' to highlight his newfound attitude of trying to impose values on Scout.
Question 4: What was the reason for Dill's absence during the summer?
Correct Answer: His father wanted to build a fishing boat
Explanation: Dill explained in his letter that he would be staying in Meridian because his new father was planning to build a fishing boat.
Question 5: How did Scout feel about Dill's absence at the beginning of summer?
Correct Answer: Miserable
Explanation: Scout describes her feelings of misery and loss due to Dill's absence, indicating how integral he was to her summer experience.
Question 6: What was the reaction of the community towards Atticus as depicted in the cartoon seen by Jem and Scout?
Correct Answer: They ridiculed him
Explanation: The cartoon depicted Atticus in a humorous and mocking light, suggesting that the community was making fun of his diligent work.
Question 7: What kind of church did Calpurnia take Jem and Scout to?
Correct Answer: First Purchase African M.E. Church
Explanation: Calpurnia took Jem and Scout to First Purchase African M.E. Church, which is described in detail in the chapter.
Question 8: What was the main reason for the collection being taken up during the church service?
Correct Answer: To help Tom Robinson's wife
Explanation: The collection was specifically for Helen, Tom Robinson's wife, to support her while Tom was in jail.
Question 9: Why did Lula confront Calpurnia when she brought Jem and Scout to church?
Correct Answer: She thought they were not welcome
Explanation: Lula challenged Calpurnia because she believed that bringing white children to a Black church was inappropriate.
Question 10: What did Reverend Sykes say about Tom Robinson during the service?
Correct Answer: He was a faithful member of the church
Explanation: Reverend Sykes acknowledged Tom Robinson's faithful membership in the church, highlighting the community's support for Helen.
Question 11: What unique aspect of the church service surprised Scout and Jem?
Correct Answer: The singing style called 'lining'
Explanation: Scout and Jem were amazed by the practice of 'lining', where Zeebo read the hymn line by line for the congregation to follow.
Question 12: What does Calpurnia reveal about the literacy of the congregation?
Correct Answer: Only a few can read
Explanation: Calpurnia explains that only about four people in the church can read, which is why they do not have hymn books.
Question 13: What did Calpurnia do to prepare Jem and Scout for church?
Correct Answer: Gave them new clothes
Explanation: Calpurnia went to great lengths to prepare Jem and Scout, including dressing them in their Sunday best for church.
Question 14: How did Jem react to Calpurnia's insistence on proper dress for church?
Correct Answer: He was angry
Explanation: Jem expressed frustration with Calpurnia's strict dress code, indicating his discomfort with her expectations.
Question 15: What does Calpurnia's ability to switch dialects signify?
Correct Answer: Her ability to fit in and adapt
Explanation: Calpurnia explains that she speaks differently depending on her audience, indicating her adaptability and understanding of social norms.
Question 16: What did Scout learn about the racial dynamics in Maycomb from the church visit?
Correct Answer: There are clear divisions between races
Explanation: Through her experience at the church, Scout becomes aware of the racial tensions and divisions within her community.
Question 17: Who is Zeebo, and what is his significance in the church?
Correct Answer: Calpurnia's son and a key figure in the church
Explanation: Zeebo is introduced as Calpurnia's eldest son and plays an important role in leading the congregation in song.
Question 18: What did Calpurnia mean when she said folks don't like to have someone around knowing more than they do?
Correct Answer: It's seen as arrogance
Explanation: Calpurnia explains that showing one's intelligence can make others uncomfortable, leading to resentment.
Question 19: What does Scout's curiosity about the church and its members illustrate about her character?
Correct Answer: Her desire to learn
Explanation: Scout's numerous questions about the church and its practices reflect her inquisitive nature and eagerness to understand the world around her.
Question 20: What does the title 'Jem's Growing Pains' suggest about the chapter's themes?
Correct Answer: The challenges of growing up
Explanation: The title highlights Jem's struggles with adolescence and the changes he faces, which are central themes in the chapter.
Question 21: Why did Calpurnia feel the need to ensure Jem and Scout looked presentable for church?
Correct Answer: To show respect for the church
Explanation: Calpurnia wanted to demonstrate proper behavior and respect for the church community by ensuring the children were well-dressed.
Question 22: What does Scout's reflection on her relationship with Dill reveal about her feelings?
Correct Answer: She misses him deeply
Explanation: Scout's reminiscing about her time with Dill illustrates her strong emotional attachment and sense of loss due to his absence.
Question 23: What lesson does Scout learn about community from her visit to First Purchase Church?
Correct Answer: People support each other in tough times
Explanation: Through the collection for Tom Robinson's wife, Scout sees the solidarity and support within the Black community.
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