In Chapter 14, Scout becomes fed up with Jem's "maddening
superiority" and begins fighting him furiously. Lately, Jem has been isolating himself, and not
spending as much time as he used to with Scout. Scout may feel some resentment toward Jem for his
detached behavior, which she has been suppressing until this moment. The start of the argument
begins when Jem comments on how Atticus and Alexandra have been bickering lately. Aunt Alexandra
and Scout feel contempt for each other to begin with, and when Jem simply tells Scout not to
antagonize her, Scout becomes defensive. The last thing Scout wants to be told is how she should
be cordial to the woman who gets on her nerves the most. When Scout reassures Jem that Atticus
doesn't worry about anything, he insults her by saying,
"That's because you can't hold something in your mind but
a little while...it's different with us grown folks." (Lee
184)
Jem comment ignites Scout's anger
because she is sick of Jem acting superior. Jem, who is four years older, has been speaking to
Scout in a didactic tone as of late, instead of his typical friendly manner. When Jem threatens
to spank Scout, she grabs his hair and punches him in the face, and fighting ensues. This is a
fun example of how older siblings can sometimes overstep their roles, and how hot-headed younger
siblings respond with retaliation.
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