Journal #1/ Chapters 1-3/ Perspective of Jem Finch

Howdy friends, I'm Jeremy Atticus Finch, but don't call me that, call me “Jem”. I'm the son of Atticus Finch, and my mother died from a random heart attack, man do I miss her. I have a little annoying sister named “Scout”, and tons of other relatives. We have a “black” cook and housekeeper, named Calpurnia. She and Scout didn't get along too well. Now I will begin my journal. It was summertime (before school, hey I'm a genius for figuring that out!), and me/Scout were playing in the back yard. As we were playing, there was a commotion next door at Miss Rachel Haverford”s collard patch, I was excited, and we went to investigate. That's where we met Dill, a amusingly short boy. Instead of finding a puppy, we found a midget! Dialogue: Dill (“Hey”), Me (“Hey yourself”), Dill (“I”m Charles Baker Harris, I can read”). Wow, who cares if he can read! So we chatted a little, and I was surprised to learn that “Dill” was “Goin' on seven”. He sure looked short! I didn't know him too well, and was irritated when he said my whole name. As I said before, I don't like it when people call me that. Soon though, I got to know Dill as a friend. Dill even saw Dracula, and he told me n Scout the old tale. From then on, Dill was part of our “group”. For the rest of the summer, Scout, Dill and I played together, worked on our “tree-house”, and did “dramas, or plays”. Dill was an entertaining companion, and helped improve our plays by playing scout's parts. He was my new best friend, with eccentric plans, strange longings, and quaint fancies. Everything was good and well, until Dill discovered the Radley Place.......

The Radley place was a frightening area. It jutted into a sharp curve quite near our house. Situated so the back of the Radley lot connected with the school, it was so intimidating, kids would rather lose a baseball than retrieve it from the Radley yard. It was apparently abandoned, and filthy but there were rumors of “Boo Radley”. I'm not sure if he even existed, but everybody suspected he did, and blamed him for many crimes. I knew a woman named Miss Stephanie Crawford, and received much information from her. Boo Radley was probably insane, malevolent and terrifying, and Dill dared me to provoke him. The dare was ridiculous, who would be foolish enough to go close to the Radley house! But Dill continued to persevere, with his dare of me going past the Radley gate. For 3 days, he continued to taunt me and question my honor. That really irked me! Truthfully, I am fearless and it was time to show Dill that! After telling Dill, “I hope you've got it through your head that he'll kill us each and every one, Dill Harris”. “Don't blame me when he gouges your eyes out. You started it remember”. And saying that I had Scout to take care of, one of my excuses, I accepted the dare............

It was time to pay a visit. After speculating on the best way to infiltrate the house, Scout sneered at me which irked me enough to rush in and slap the house with my palm. Fortunately I didn't die, but was rather scared as I saw a shutter move inside the house. I had proved that I was not intimidated by the Radley lot! Later in September right before school, Dill left us. I was a little disappointed, but it was time to go to school. However I was supposed to take Scout to school! The thought of taking Scout to school was an unhappy one. It would be terrible if I did that! Atticus, however wanted me to, and offered a compromise . If I took Scout to school, he would pay me generously, that I couldn't refuse! Money for embarrassment and inconvenience? I could accept that! As we reached the school, I was careful to instruct Scout to leave me alone, and certainly not embarrass me in front of my friends. Later I learned that Scout got into a disagreement with beautiful Miss Caroline! But before I learned that, I saw Scout roughing up Walter Cummingham! I quickly told her to stop, saying “you're bigger'n he is”. I learned from Scout that Walter had caused her a little trouble. I didn't really care, and invited him to dine with our family. As he stood in indecision, we got bored and walked home. Then he joined us, and we walked home together. As we walked, I struck up a conversation with him. Then we were home, and with Walter as company! Scout was rude, and Calpurnia presently took care of her. I didn't mind Walter, but like Scout, I was shocked when he sugared his dinner with syrup. The next day, Burris Ewell disrupted the class, and said many mean things to Miss Caroline, but I didn't hear about that until later. I just noticed Scout seemed a little distracted as we did our routine “race” to Atticus. Now my arm is getting tired from writing, and I'll have to stop. Its also nighttime now. I'll go catch some rest, and maybe continue about what happens next soon. This is my first entry, and expect many more coming up later. Good Night.