In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem Finch is a protective and influential part of Scout’s life. Scout usually looks up to Atticus for advice; however, Jem idolizes Atticus and wants to be just like him. This causes Jem to become a patriarch and protective figure over Scout. While Scout may not want to be domineered by Jem, that changes when Scout finds a stick of gum in the Radley’s tree: “‘Don’t eat things you find, Scout. Spit it out right now! Don’t you know you're not supposed to even touch the trees over there? You could have gotten hurt!’” (Lee 33). Not only did Jem stop Scout from chewing the gum, but he also made sure that it was clear she shouldn’t be by the Radley’s house, which significant because the Radleys are rumored
