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• Even tempered.
• Matures as the novel progresses.
• Wants to be a lawyer like Atticus.

Jem is Scout’s older brother and when the novel begins he is ten years old. Because he is older than Scout he matures more quickly and sometimes understands issues she does not. Although at the start of the novel he is willing to be seen playing with his younger sister, as the novel progresses this is less apparent and he becomes moody, wishing to spend time on his own. Jem is less hot tempered than Scout but there is one moment in the novel when the reader sees him lose control of his emotions. When Mrs Dubose, the Finch family neighbour, torments him about Atticus defending Tom Robinson, he breaks down and, using Scout’s new twirling baton, he cuts every head off Mrs Debose’s beloved camellias.

Even tempered

How is Jem like this?

When Scout is angry or when someone has been tormenting her about Atticus, her hot-headedness means she is tempted to lash out with her fists. Jem is more even tempered and does all he can to calm her down.

Evidence

Catching Walter Cunningham in the school yard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop. You’re bigger’n he is, he said.

Analysis

Jem is being more mature and far more reasonable in his attitude towards Walter. Jem knows that whatever Walter has done wrong, physical violence is not the best way to tackle this issue and reminds Scout that it is hardly a fair fight as she is so much bigger than Walter.

Jem matures as the novel progresses

How does Jem mature during the novel?

Jem begins to grow away from Scout and prefers to spend time on his own. He becomes moody and feels Scout should also start to mature and behave less like a tomboy and more like a young lady.

Evidence

Overnight, it seemed, Jem had acquired an alien set of values and was trying to impose them on me: several times he went so far as to tell me what to do. After one altercation, when Jem hollered, It’s time you started bein' a girl and acting right! I burst into tears and fled to Calpurnia.

Analysis

As Jem grows older, he begins to mimic some of the prejudices of the adult world. For example, here he is repeating the belief that girls should not be tomboys but should behave in a ladylike manner. This leaves Scout upset as she is used to Jem accepting her for who she is.

Wants to be a lawyer like Atticus and fight for justice

How do we know this?

After Tom Robinson’s trial, Jem is still finding it difficult to come to terms with Tom’s guilty verdict. He realises that despite all the evidence that suggested he was innocent, Tom has been judged not on his actions but on the colour of his skin. Jem discusses this with Atticus, who expresses the hope that things might change when Jem is older.

Evidence

Doesn’t make it right,” said Jem stolidly. He beat his fist softly on his knee. “You can’t just convict a man on evidence like that – you can’t.

Analysis

Jem’s anger at the thought of injustice means he is anxious to be part of a process of change. His belief that you cannot convict a man on little evidence other than the colour of his skin, suggests he is already aware of the unfairness of Tom’s trial and wants to grow up to be a man like Atticus who will battle against such prejudice.

Analysing the evidence

He stood there until nightfall, and I waited for him. When we went in the house I saw he had been crying; his face was dirty in the right places, but I thought it odd that I had not heard him.

This is Scout’s description of the way Jem reacts when he discovers the hole in the Radley tree has been filled with cement and therefore no more gifts can be left.