Under Scout’s bed is actually a young African American boy named Boo Radley. Boo Radley is a mysterious and strange figure in the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. He is never seen throughout most of the novel, only occasionally leaving gifts for Scout, Jem, and Dill.
He has a mysterious past that the neighborhood children wish to uncover. He is rarely seen, but does appear on two occasions; once when he saves the children from Bob Ewell and a second time at the court house to protect Tom Robinson.
His presence in the story helps to reveal the prejudice, racism, injustice, and courage that all the characters endure during the course of the book.
What did Jem and Scout think was under her bed?
Jem and Scout thought there was a monster living under Scout’s bed. Jem even attempted to prove it by having Scout dangle her fishing pole with a dinner bell tied to it over the side of the bed on a string to try and catch the monster.
Although they never found out what was actually under Scout’s bed, they never stopped believing that there was something there lurking in the darkness.
Who is the snake Scout finds under her bed in Chapter 14?
In Chapter 14 of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout finds a young rattlesnake under her bed. She had seen it in the yard earlier that afternoon and had inadvertently stepped on it, crushing its tail, and it had crawled underneath the house.
When she discovers it, she takes it outside, halts a game of kick-the-can, and explains the situation to her assembled friends, who express both terror and admiration. Jem and Dill cautiously approach the snake and recognize it as a Saw-Whet Rattlesnake, native to the area.
Jem grabs stick to prod it, but is stopped by Scout. The snake, painted a bright orange from eating a particularly toxic caterpillar, is safely released far away from the house. The young rattlesnake provides a glimpse into the perils of growing up through this incident, as the children all initially freeze in fear at the sight of a danger in a household they believe is safe.
It is only through Scout’s bravery and quick thinking that the group is able to safely move the snake away and dispel the fear.
What happens when Jem investigates under Scout’s bed?
When Jem investigates under Scout’s bed, he discovers a horrifyingly scary old man. He is huddled in a corner shaking, and upon further investigation Jem finds a candy wrapper and a pocket watch. Jem discovers that the old man has been living under Scout’s bed for a long time, and has been stealing their food and objects from around the house.
Jem helps him out and takes him home with him, giving him shelter and eventually introducing the man to their family. It turns out that the man is Boo Radley, a resident in their neighborhood who has been living in isolation and feared by many people in the town.
Jem comes to understand more about Boo’s past and ultimately forms a bond with him. This experience helps Jem to learn to empathize with those who might have different life experiences than himself and to see the world in a different light.
What chapter does Scout find dill under the bed?
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout finds Dill hiding underneath her bed in Chapter 22. This chapter begins with Scout rushing in to tell Atticus that someone is under her bed – that someone being her friend Dill.
He had been missing all summer without any trace and then re-appears the day the jury was disbanded in the Tom Robinson trial. Atticus explains to Scout that Dill had been home in Meridian, Mississippi with his Aunt Rachel, and she was bringing him back home when Dill ran off and made his way to Maycomb.
Both Atticus and Scout are delighted to have him back and Dill reveals that Miss Rachel had come to fetch him as she was worried about his safety. Atticus confronts Dill’s father and shortly after, Dill returns home to Mississippi.
What happens with Dill in Chapter 12?
In Chapter 12 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Dill goes to spend the summer with his Aunt Rachel in Meridian, Mississippi. On the day before he leaves, Dill has an emotional goodbye with Scout, Jem, and Dill’s father.
As Scout looks at him with tears in her eyes, Dill promises to write as much as he can.
Dill’s absence during the summer has a significant effect on Jem and Scout. For Scout, Dill’s absence leaves her feeling lonely and sad, as she realizes just how much she’s grown attached to him over the summer.
For Jem, it’s even more pronounced—for the first time since he began the first grade, he doesn’t have a friend to accompany him to school.
The last we hear from Dill in the novel is when Atticus receives a letter from him and reads it to Scout and Jem, telling them about what he’s been up to and how he’s been doing. The letter reveals that after Dill left, he has been having a good time in Meridian, but he misses his friends in Maycomb and is looking forward to returning soon.
In the following chapters, Dill occasionally appears throughout the novel, but we don’t hear much more from him until the end of the book when he comes back to stay with the Finches. It is then that we learn, in a way, what has been going on with Dill in the time that he was away.
He is more mature, having gained insight and perspective as he has been exposed to different life experiences and forces outside of Maycomb. He is a changed young man who is less naïve and better equipped to understand the injustice and cruelty of the world that he lives in.
What do we find out about Dill Chapter 9?
In Chapter 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird, readers learn a great deal about Dill. He is a sweet, imaginative boy who loves to tell stories and have adventures, and Scout and Jem adore him. He loves spending time with them and he even pretend to be Robin Hood or Barrel Bonaparte in their games.
Dill is also brave, as he is the one that suggests they peek into Boo Radley’s house. He also stands up for Jem when Atticus scolds him for shooting a November snowbird with air-magnums.
Dill’s past and family life is also revealed in this chapter. It is discovered that he is from a broken home, with a mother that is constantly remarrying and a father he never sees. He has a deep yearning to know his father and it causes him to be somewhat of a loner.
Even with this knowledge, the Finch children still accept him and take him in as if he was their own. With the support and love they provide, Dill finds a sense of belonging and safety he has been missing.
Why was Dill hiding under the bed?
Dill was hiding under the bed because he was scared. He had just seen his father, who he hadn’t seen in a while, and he was afraid of what his father might do. He had heard stories from his mother about how his father was abusive, and he was worried that he was going to be hurt.
He felt safer under the bed, as he was out of sight and could remain hidden until he felt it safe to come out. He knew that in a moment of distress and fear, it was the safest place for him to be.
Why was Dill staying in Maycomb?
Dill was staying in Maycomb with his Aunt Rachel in the summertime. His parents had divorced and his father, who had been living in California, had recently died. Dill’s mother felt it was best for him to stay with Rachel and she thought it would be a positive experience for him to spend time in Maycomb, since she grew up there.
Furthermore, since Maycomb was a small town, she felt it would provide Dill with a safe, wholesome environment. Dill enjoyed spending time with Aunt Rachel, who provided a loving and caring home for him that summer, and it was through Rachel’s influence that Dill gained greater understanding of life in Maycomb.
Where do Jem and Scout find Dill hiding?
Jem and Scout find Dill hiding in the tree in the Radley’s yard. He had snuck away from his aunt and uncle’s house, and was camped out in the Radley’s tree, hoping he would be invited to join the Finch children.
After hearing Dill’s story, Calpurnia allows him to stay with the Finch family while he waits for his aunt and uncle to come and collect him.
Does Dill sleep with Scout?
No, Dill does not sleep with Scout. Dill, Scout’s childhood friend, regularly visits Scout and her family in the summer and sleeps in Scout’s bed. However, Scout views Dill more like a brother than a romantic partner.
Dill eventually leaves for the North to stay with his aunt and never returns to restart a romantic relationship with Scout.
Why did Boo stab his father?
Boo stabbed his father due to a long period of mistreatment and abuse that he had suffered at the hands of his father, who had been an alcoholic. Boo’s mother had died when he was an infant, leaving him in the care of his abusive and neglectful father, who had a history of physical and verbal abuse towards both Boo and Boo’s older brother.
Over the years, Boo had been subjected to intense psychological and physical abuse from his father, and his violent outbursts had worsened with age. On the night of the stabbing, Boo’s father had been drinking and began screaming and cursing at him.
He grabbed a piece of wood, threatening to beat Boo with it, and it was at that moment that something snapped in Boo, leading him to grab a knife and stab his father in order to protect himself and his brother.
What does Dill symbolize in TKAM?
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Dill serves as a symbol of a carefree childhood innocence and curiosity. He is portrayed as a small but daring individual who’s always pushing the limits and asking questions to satisfy his curiosity.
He is the embodiment of Scout’s childhood memories, a reminder of a time before she viewed the world through the lens of racism and prejudice. He also serves as a vehicle for the young readers to understand why Jem and Scout’s views on the world changed over the course of the novel.
Dill’s child-like observations and dedication to help Tom Robinson are essential to the reader’s understanding of the harshness of racism. Further, Dill serves as a symbol for hope—hope for a better world where one’s skin color does not determine the way they are perceived, treated, and judged.
Finally, Dill serves as a representation of change: his friendship with Bee transforms her family and the Finch family, and the children’s understanding of what truly matters in life.
Is Dill allowed to stay in Maycomb?
Yes, Dill is allowed to stay in Maycomb. Dill moved to Maycomb to stay with his Aunt Rachel for the summer and he is allowed to stay in the town. Dill quickly becomes friends with Scout and Jem and becomes an important part of their lives.
They accept him as a member of their family and help him navigate the small-town life. He is always welcomed by the adults of Maycomb and by the other kids as well. Aunt Alexandra is probably the only person in Maycomb that doesn’t truly accept Dill and has a hard time seeing him as one of their own.
Nonetheless, Dill remains in Maycomb and is accepted by Scout and Jem’s family and their friends.
Why is Dill in Maycomb every summer?
Dill is in Maycomb every summer because his aunt, Rachel Haverford, lives there. Dill is an orphan, so he spends most of the year with his aunt in Maycomb, Alabama. He considers the town a safe haven, and it has become a second home to him.
He is close to his two friends, Jem and Scout, who also live in the town. Every summer, Dill visits this place of safety and friendship and his time spent in Maycomb allows him to escape from the uncertainties of his own life and enjoy the security of being around people he loves.
He looks forward to his annual summer visits and is always excited to experience the home town atmosphere that the town offers. Maycomb is an integral part of Dill, as it has provided him with a refuge and sense of belonging, something that he does not have year-round.
