When Atticus, Jem and Scout come back from the Robinson house the first time, Scout is asleep so Atticus carries her inside and puts her to bed. Jem is sitting on the porch and Atticus is about to drive Calpurnia home. He asks Jem if he would mind staying there with Scout until he comes back, and Jem says he will. Why did he ask him that? Where else was Jem going to go? He was at home and it was the middle of the night. It just seemed like an odd question.
shareSo if you had a a very young daughter who was asleep, you wouldn't want her big brother to stay home and protect her?
It's not an odd thing at all. Are you from planet Mars?
The only question that seems odd here is yours.
Um.....I think you misunderstood what I was asking. I wasn't asking why Atticus would want Jem to stay home. I was wondering why he would even have to ask him that question. Was Jem planning on going somewhere in the middle of the night? Why would Atticus have to ask him to stay home? Shouldn't he be at home anyway? That's what seemed odd
shareI don't remember that line specifically, but do understand your question. My best answer, without calling back the entire scene, is that it reflected Atticus' parenting style. He wasn't one to bark out orders, and even with his children, he discussed things in a way that respected them, and their ability to make decisions.
Like wainot said, it was Atticus' way.
This is a smart man, a lawyer, that knows how to manipulate opinion and perspective. I don't mean it in a negative way, it's how he is.
A typical method in empowering people is to ask them to do something, knowing full well they will anyway. But making it seem like they made the choice.
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I agree with wainot and bornskeptic. It's a common way to handle kids, make them feel more grown-up and responsible about duties and tasks.
- Zeph
Even if the voices aren't real, they have some good ideas.
There is no definite time of night mentioned. It was dark, but that did not mean it was very late at night. Plus, Atticus likely knew how kids were. An older child left outside might go somewhere even if it is night and that might be why Atticus was asking Jem if he would stay at the house with Scout. He was, in a tactful way, letting Jem know not to leave the house while he was away.
"Do All Things For God's Glory"-1 Corinthians 10:31
I try doing this with my posts
Atticus was "empowering" Jem.
He "asks" Jem, as if Jem really had a choice. As if Jem could choose to say "no".
But by asking -- rather than telling -- Jem felt like he did have a choice. Jem felt empowered.
And, therefore, Jem "owned" the decision to stay home and be responsible for Scout. Jem didn't feel like he "had to" do it. He felt like he chose to take on that responsibility.
Basically, Atticus used psychology on the kid, to get Jem to do what Attics wanted him to do.
It has always appeared to me as if Atticus was asking Jem just to make sure he was ok staying home basically by him self since no adults would be there...making sure he wouldn't be afraid. And of course as soon as Atticus and Calpurnia went up the road Jem did get scared and ran after him.
share