To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Copyright 1960
Chapter 4 Summary

Scout’s experience with school remains much the same under the “Dewey Decimal” system, her feeling of boredom and frustration are still palpable, but she’s come to accept it somewhat. She continues to walk to school with Jem, but finds herself walking (or, running!) home from school since Jem is now being released later than she is. On her way home from school one day, she notices something reflective in a knothole of a tree. She goes over to investigate, even though the tree is in the Radley’s yard, and finds a rare treat, two sticks of Wrigley’s Double-Mint gum. She grabs it and gives it an experimental taste after smelling it, just with her tongue, to make sure it is safe, and: “When I did not die, I crammed it into my mouth.” Upon finding that she has chewed her treat, Jem scolds her and reminds her that it is not safe to eat things that one finds on the ground. Scout reasons the way only a child can, and insists it must be okay, because she found it in a tree, not the ground. She goes inside the house to brush her teeth and rinse her mouth at his suggestion, but only after he threatens to tell Calpurnia about the what she did. Another treasure is discovered later that year, Indian-head pennies, both from the early 1900’s, encased in what looks like a ring box.
Summertime brings their much awaited visitor, Dill. They contemplate what to do with their free time and reject all playacting ideas, and finally decide to roll down the street in the tire in Jem and Scout’s yard. Jem agrees to let Scout go first and she soon finds out why – he is upset with her disagreement over a local legend involving “Hot Steams” – spots of unusually warm air on country roads that indicate a spirit, unable to make its way to the spirit world, is located there. Anyone who walks through the spot is said to be doomed to die. This belief is even more ludicrous to Scout than Dill’s newfound “talent” of being able to smell when someone is about to die. This disagreement is effectively ended by Scout’s idea to play in the tire, and after folding herself into it and being given an extra big push by Jem, Scout finds herself landing at the front steps of the Radley’s house. Terrified at the thought of being caught and her rather rough ride there, she stays as if frozen on the spot where she’s landed despite Jem’s cries to get up and bring the tire with her. She’s scolded by Jem again, for not bringing the tire back with her, and says “’I swear Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it’s mortifyin’’” and brings the tire back himself. The tension is broken by Calpurnia’s call for the children to come to the house for some lemonade.
As they enjoyed their lemonade, the children contemplated their next game. Dill suggests they start a new play, this time one about Boo Radley. The children work on their roles, and perfect the final act with a newspaper and a pair of scissors – it looks as real as can be to any onlooker. One of the onlookers happens to be Atticus one evening, who guesses that their play is being based on the unfortunate Radley incident, much to Jem’s denial and Scout’s correct assumption that their game is to remain a secret. Atticus scolds the children for playing with scissors and goes inside. Scout wants to talk to Jem about the play but is stopped when he reminds her that Atticus is sitting in the living room, and can still hear them. After moving out of Atticus’ earshot, he tells Scout “…that girls always imagined things, that’s why other people hated them so, and if I started behaving like one I could just go off and find some to play with.”Scout, however, has another secret. Not only did she want to stop playing the “Boo Radley” game because Atticus caught them, because after rolling and landing on the Radley’s front yard, “I had heard another sound, so low I could not have heard it from the sidewalk. Someone inside the house was laughing.”


~ I really feel for Scout -she seems to be comfortable with her role playing and other games with Jem, and Dill when he is in town for the summer, but she seems as repressed there as she does in school by the fact that she is a girl. Jem’s acceptance of her is complete, but her gender seems to have either disappeared, or, maybe he resents not having a brother? Which do you think it is? What do you think Atticus would say to Jem, if he knew he was saying the things he does to her? Or, Calpurnia?

-Who do you think was laughing from inside the house? Is it the same person who is leaving treasures in the knothole of the Radley tree?

Very nice chapter synopsis, NE Mom!

I think Jem is looking for something to tease Scout about, and her being a girl, is as good as any, especially in a society that tends to hold boys in higher esteem. I bet Jem would be the first to defend Scout if anyone else would dare to tease her in that way. As with many/most older siblings, I bet he's very protective of her in that regard. I honestly don't think he resents her being a girl, but he does resent it when she usurps his older brother authority. Atticus and Calpurnia would probably stay out of the squabbles unless Jem got too carried away with the teasing to the point of being hurtful. Scout seems to handle the teasing very well, and learning that skill at a young age will serve her well in the future. Now, if Jem begins to make her feel less worthy because she's a girl, her dad and Calpurnia would take action. Somehow, most siblings work these out better on their own without parental intrusion. That is, unless it becomes something more than a now and again banter. For the most part, it seems they get along very well, especially for all the time they spend together.

Definitely, I think it's Boo hiding the treasures in the tree, and has been keeping an eye on the kids. I imagine he finds their antics entertaining.

Was I the only one who had to look up scuppernongs?

I've now added a GLOSSARY for those words and phrases we may not be familair with - I had no idea what scuppernongs were either !

NEMom - for a great chapter analysis ..

Dill always seems to act as a catalyst and both Scout and Jem look forward to his arrival -"Two Days later Dill arrived in a blaze of glory; he had ridden the train by himself "


I think that Boo finds the children entertaining and is leaving small treats for them...I could practically taste that double mint chewing gum !

I couldn't believe the words I had overlooked after reading the glossary, sassenach. I have such little attention for detail. The glossary is a very nice addition to the chapter summaries, and I'm going to make a concerted effort to pay better attention!

Thanks for the very kind words about the summary, Lasses!

I agree with you, Dallis, I think Jem would be very protective of Scout, no matter what...it just seemed like, in this chapter, Scout just can't get a break. After reading your thoughts about the situation, he probably very much tries to make sure she sees him as the eldest and doesn't like to be contradicted (who does? lol), especially in front of Dill.

Sassenach - I like the thought of Dill as a catalyst between Jem and Scout - Harper Lee's use of their interaction adds a great dimension to their relationship, it is fun to see how much they look forward to his visits and games. It makes me long for those days, for my own two, when books, plays and imaginitive play ruled the days of summer. Video games seem to take over at times, but reading this has given me inspiration to challenge them to write/act out a play of their own, this year, especially with friends.

I wonder what Dill's life at home is like, during the school year?

Thanks for the glossary, as well, it's great!

I wonder about Dill too, NE Mom. He gets to reinvent himself every summer, and I get the gut feeling his home life may not be so great. Scout made a point of mentioning that Dill had seen his dad, and not only was his dad taller than Atticus, he was also president of L&N Railroad. I wasn't sure if Scout meant that Dill had seen his father on his trip to Maycomb Junction, or the more likely story that he had *possibly* seen his dad since he'd been to visit last summer, and that it was notably. Sad to think that. Dill seems to be a natural story teller, and I'm afraid that stems from having a less than happy life.

I agree, Dallis, Dill does have an overactive imagination. We find out more about his family life later on.

Scout is so practical for someone so young. She learns that if she wants to stay in good graces with Jem, she has to act like a boy. Isn't this another form of prejudice with Jem and Dill assuming that girls are silly beings who trifle all day long and make up stories? I gather this is the author's way of introducing another theme of discrimination, even if on a smaller scale.

Jem was truly embarrassed when Scout contradicted him in front of Dill. "Don't you believe a word he says, Dill." Atticus raised her well. Scout has no qualms about about voicing her disbelief in spooky folk tales, but unfortunately her outspokeness once again places her at odds with others, in this case with Jem.
Funny how some myths take on a life of their own. I had never heard of Hot Steams.

The gifts in the tree hole are just precious -- what a clever way for Boo to reach out to these two spooked kids. They sure must provide him with much entertainment.