My Jem & Scout

Jem & Scout are the two child protagonists from the novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird." The story is told through the eyes of Scout. At the start of the novel, Jem was 11 and Scout, his sister, was 6.

Notice the age difference? It is exactly the same age difference between Sons No 1 and No 2. What prompted this post is that I can see the striking similarity in the personal development of the two characters in the novel and my two boys.

Early in the novel, we see Jem and Scout spending a lot of carefree time together, constantly playing pranks on their neighbours, with Jem taking the lead and Scout not always a willing follower. As the novel progressed, their relationship began to undergo a subtle change. Jem began to wander off into his own world and Scout had no choice but to seek companionship from their maid, Calpurnia. When Scout complained to their father, Atticus, about Jem, she was advised to "mind" Jem. All this was very confusing to young Scout, precocious though she was.

By the end of the novel, having gone through a court room experience as well as various other significant incidences, Jem at 13 had clearly grown in maturity and adopted a more "elder brother" role towards Scout. But thank goodness, the strong bond between the siblings was intact as can be seen from the last scene in the novel (shan't spoil the ending for those who have yet to read the novel).

The relationship between my Sons No 1 and No 2 seems to be undergoing such a transformation now. Not too long ago, they were the best of playmates. Nowadays, Son No 1 has other interests that tend to exclude his younger brother - nothing wrong with that - I know it is an inevitable progression in life.

For Son No 2, he is learning how to adapt. I notice that No 2 sometimes tries to initiate play by "disturbing" No 1 but his effort would meet with a sharp rebuke from No 1. I am not sure if it is hurt that I see flashing across No 2's face. Much like Scout, he is adjusting. The beneficiary to this development is No 3 to whom No 2 has turned for companionship. No 3 is now chief playmate. The two younger boys, now at 5 and 7, are closer in age and play as equals. But that is another story.

There are still moments now when Son No 1 would play with both his younger brothers and yes, they still have a rolling raucous good time together. Ya, these moments will be stored in the mind for a long, long time.