Harper Lee
TKAM Chapter 1
The start of the chapter does not make much sense until you have read further into the book. Like most novels, the first chapter of To Kill A Mockingbird is used to introduce characters and setting. This chapter states Maycomb to be hot, boring and poor. Through this chapter we initially learn who the narrators father is, Atticus, who the narrators brother and cook are, Jem Finch and Calpurnia, and later on who the narrator is, Scout Finch. We also are introduced to Dill who is not from Maycomb, but visits every summer. A theme of childhood innocence is displayed throughout this chapter. The young characters have big imaginations and are very curious. Almost halfway through the chapter, a theme of mystery is put into play. Boo Radley is the town phantom and is a mystery to almost everyone in Maycomb. We are given some information on his earlier years and learn about the Radley family, but that is really all this chapter explains about the Radleys. Dill dares Jem to try and make Boo Radley come out, but he refuses. We learn that Jem never turns down dares and this gives us more information on what type of kid Jem is. Dill proposes that Jem touches the household instead. Jem agrees and completes the dare. At the end of the chapter the author describes some movement inside the Radley house which leaves the reader with a sense of worry and curiosity, wondering if the Radleys will be involved later on in the book.