Keyword Guide · chapter-summary
In Chapter 4 of To Kill a Mockingbird, the school year concludes and the neighborhood mystery deepens. Scout and Jem begin finding mysterious gifts in a tree on the Radley lot, leading to new fascinations and a dangerous new game.
As the school year ends, Scout notices something shiny in a tree at the edge of the Radley property. She discovers two pieces of chewing gum tucked into a knothole. Despite her fear of the 'poisonous' Radley house, she tastes it. Later, she and Jem find a small box containing two polished Indian-head pennies. These discoveries suggest that someone inside the Radley house may be watching the children and reaching out in a subtle, non-threatening way.
Summer begins with the arrival of Dill, who brings new energy to the group. Bored with their usual play, the children create a new game called 'Boo Radley.' They act out the various neighborhood rumors regarding the Radley family history, including the infamous stabbing incident. This game represents the children's attempt to process their fears through imagination, though they remain oblivious to the real human being behind the legends.
The children's game is interrupted when Atticus catches them performing their theatrical version of the Radley family life. While he does not explicitly forbid them from playing, his stern questioning makes Jem and Scout realize they might be crossing a line. This interaction highlights a major theme: the importance of respecting the privacy and dignity of others, even those who live differently than the rest of the town.
Chapter 4 illustrates the transition from childhood superstition to a more complex understanding of the world. While the children still view Boo Radley as a 'malevolent phantom,' the gifts in the tree represent a physical connection to reality. For students preparing for class discussions, consider how the tire-rolling incident—where Scout ends up in the Radley yard and hears someone laughing—shifts the tone from spooky legend to a grounded human mystery.
They found two pieces of chewing gum and a small box containing two scrubbed and polished Indian-head pennies.
Scout wants to stop because Atticus nearly caught them and because she heard someone laughing inside the Radley house when she accidentally rolled into their yard in a tire.
The game shows how the children have turned a real person's tragic life into a form of entertainment, highlighting their initial lack of empathy and the power of neighborhood gossip.
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