TKAM Chapter 1 Nathaniel Englehart (Ft. Harper Lee)

The chapter begins by alluding to an event that led to Jem having a broken arm, which made me ask what could have happened to cause this. The novel then goes on to describe the events leading to the Finch family living in Maycomb, purposefully making it seem uninteresting. The novel then goes on to describe how the children see Maycomb, describing it as "old" and "tired".




The novel then goes on to describe Charles Baker Harris or "Dill" using metaphors such as "your name is longer then you", describing his small stature. The next page is when we are introduced to the Radley house, described as creepy and rundown, with an almost paranormal feel to it. The novel uses this to introduce Arthur "Boo" Radley, describing him as a troublemaker who gets caught and is punished by his father to stay in his house. The novel then describes Mr. Radley, who is a grouchy, rude old man who falls ill and inevitably passes away




The novel then mentions Jem's dare to go to the Radley place, showing off their childlike innocence and fear. Finally it ends on Jem touching the house, as well as some creepy foreshadowing of a mysterious movement in the house after Jem touches it, which made me ask what the movement was.