TKAM / Blog #4 / Chapters 10-12 / Perspective of Jem Finch

Ugh, I am a little depressed to say howdy, but I'll say it anyways. Howdy friends, I'm Jem Finch as you may recall. I'm not having fun right now, and am going to have trouble documenting this. Well here goes, I'll explain what occurred so far. Well I think the main problem is Mrs. Dubose, a mean, haughty, cantankerous old lady, who clearly dislikes everybody. She was a real pain. Well also my dad Atticus Finch is defending a black man named Tom Robinson at court, which is causing a lot of problems too. Atticus is a good man, and I can't stand it when others insult him calling him a “nigger lover”. I hope these problems are contemporaries, and will be resolved when the case is closed.

Well at first things were going great, I had become a gentleman and discovered the amazing, yet inconspicuous talent of my father. Atticus was once the deadest shot in Maycomb, but he preferred that nobody knew it. I guess I should respect that. Right after my 12th birthday, I was having a blast, because I was rich. I had maybe a few dollars, that's how rich I was! I was so happy, I soared with elation! I was planning on buying Scout something she wanted, and buying a miniature steam engine for myself. Me n Scout were walking peacefully when we ran into considerable peril! Mrs. Dubose was in our way! My previous happiness was then replaced with terror. “Where are you two going at this time of day?” she yelled at us. “Playing hooky, I suppose. I”ll just call up the principal and tell him!” I was irritated by her typical rudeness, but of course I didn't show it.

“Aw, it's Saturday, Mrs. Dubose”, I said politely. “Makes no difference if it's Saturday, I wonder if your father even knows where you are?” “Mrs. Dubose, we've been goin' to town by ourselves since we were this high”, I placed my hand about 2 feet high. “Don't you lie to me!” she yelled again. “Jeremy Finch, Maudie Atkinson told me you broke down her scuppernong arbor this morning. She's going to tell your father and then you”ll wish you never saw the light of day!” By now, I was definitely tuned-out from her, I didn't care what she was saying. “Don't you contradict me!” she bawled. I didn't listen, until she insulted Atticus. “Not only a Finch waiting on tables, but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!”. Now I was angry, she had no right to say that, never! But she said worse! “Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” By now, I didn't care about what Atticus said I wanted so badly to hit her, or yell at her, to do anything. I was so mad I couldn't speak, I barely had enough self-control to walk away. That's what I did, I walked away from her. Then I went to the store, and bought my steam engine, plus I went to Elmore's and bought the baton for Scout. But even as I did what I originally intended, I felt terrible. For some reason, I could still remember all the awful things Mrs. D had said.

It just wouldn't go away, and continued to annoy me, like an itch. My frustration got to the point when I wanted to get Mrs. Dubose back. It was not only what she had said, it was for all the time she had yelled at me, and insulted my family. I just couldn't stand her. For many years I would regret the decision I made, but also wouldn't because I felt it was right. It was wrong, but felt awfully good. I rushed in with rage and using Scout's baton demolished Mrs. D's entire camellia flower garden. Afterwords I was sweating and panting, and worse Scout was screaming her head off. I did some nasty things to her, which I regretted soon after. Hurriedly I rushed home, and was quiet until Atticus came home. He asked me if I had destroyed Mrs. D's garden. I said I did, but I was so scared my voice was inaudible. Soon after I was chosen to read to Mrs. D for hours at a time, the cause of my terrible mood. Well now I'm tired, again, and am dreading reading to Mrs. D again. Did you know she has weird spasms and fits? Well goodnight!