Chapter 5: Kathryn Olivier

Plot Summary

In chapter five, Scout spends most of her summer days with Miss Maudie Atkinson who is her generous neighbor. Jem and Dill begin to exclude Scout from all of the activities they do during the day, and Scout finds a new “friend” since she didn’t want to nag her brother and Dill too much more. Miss Maudie and Scout talk about many different things during their summer days including talking about foot-washers, grass, and most importantly, Boo Radley. Scout one day became very curious about Boo, and asked Miss Maudie what she thought about Boo. Miss Maudie explained to Boo that she thinks that Boo is still around, and if he is that he’s gone crazy by now, being cooped up in his house all the time. One day when Scout isn’t at Miss Maudie’s, she sees Jem and Scout deep in conversation, and demands them to tell her what they’re up to. Jem and Dill tell Scout that if they tell her what their plan is, she has to help whether she likes it or not. Scout agrees, and Jem tells her that their plan is to put a note into the Radley’s house, asking for Boo to come out of the house. Scout now has no choice but to help the boys, even though she knows that the whole thing is a terrible idea. When Jem is in the process of trying to put the note in the window of the Radley’s house, Atticus comes over and catches the kids in the act. Atticus is very mad at all of them for tormenting Boo, and he says to leave him alone. The chapter ends as Atticus being furious with the kids and telling them to never mess around with the Radley house again.

Major Changes and Developments

One major change that occurs in chapter five is that instead of Scout, Jem, and Dill all playing together nicely in the summer, Jem and Dill leave Scout out of all the things they do together. There are some new characters in this chapter, including Miss Maudie, who is the Finch’s neighbor. Miss Maudie is a generous lady who loves the outdoors and spends her summer days outside with Scout. Scout and Miss Maudie always have spirited conversations also, one about Boo Radley in particular. Another new character in this chapter is Uncle Jack Finch, who is an uncle to Jem and Scout, and a brother to Atticus. Miss Maudie talks about Jack Finch, and says how they were good friends in their childhood. She also says that he had always tried to ask Miss Maudie to marry him, but she said no. One conflict is that Scout feels excluded from Jem and Dill, and this is her internal conflict. Atticus catching Jem, Dill, and Scout at the Radley’s house with the note became an external conflict at the end of the chapter for the kids. Atticus will now be watching out for any more mischief from the kids, and now it will be harder for Jem and Dill to find out much more about the Radley’s.

Significant Quotes

“They spent days together in the treehouse plotting and planning, calling me only when they needed a third party.” (Page 55).
This quote shows how Jem and Dill excluded Scout from all their summer activities.
“’Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on he public streets.”’ (Page 61).
This quote is said by Miss Maudie, and she is telling Scout that her father is the same nice guy in public as he would be at home, opposite of Boo Radley.
“’Now you’re in it and you can’t get out of it, you’ll just stay in it, Miss Priss!”’ (Page 62).
This quote is when Jem tells Scout that she has to help them with their plan to put the note in the Radley’s house. Here, he sounds more bossy, and it shows the attitude he;s had lately to Scout.

Literary Elements

Motif- Boo Radley is mentioned many times in this chapter. One time was when Miss Maudie and Scout were discussing their thoughts on Boo. Another was when Jem, Dill, and Scout were talking about putting the note in the Radley’s house so Boo would come outside.

Foreshadowing- After the incident of Atticus finding the kids at the Radley’s house with the note, he will be more careful with watching Jem, Dill, and Scout. This foreshadows that if Jem, Dill, and Scout attempt to get Boo to come outside again, that they will have to be more careful, with Atticus watching them.

Vocabulary

Aloof (Page 55) - at a distance, especially in feeling or interest; apart
Tacit (Page 56) – understood without being openly expressed; implied
Pestilence (Page 56) – something that is considered harmful, destructive, or evil.

Critical Thinking

1) What kind of bond did Scout make with Miss Maudie?
A: She made a strong bond, almost spend everyday with her during the summer and Miss Maudie was very generous to Scout.

2) What did Jem use to get the note into the Radley’s window?
A: A fishing pole.

3) Do you think Jem and Dill will try to get Boo to come out again? If so, what do you think they’ll do this time to make sure Atticus doesn’t catch t