In the first chapter of to kill a mocking bird it is made clear that the narrator (Scout) is reminiscing about her childhood. Scout mentions that later on Jem breaks his arm and it is caused by the Ewell’s. Scout also mentions that her ancestors name is Simon Finch. Simon is said to have 3 slaves. Scout talks about how some supplies are brought from Mobile by boat. Scout talks more about Atticus’s job and how his office is very small and he lost his first trial. Scout talks about how Maycomb is a very poor town and how everyone one there takes their time with everything. Scout talks about her life at home. She thinks Atticus is a satisfactory father and Calpurnia favors Jem over her.
Later in the chapter we meet Dill. We learn that Dill is not his real name but that’s what everyone calls him. Dill is very cryptic about his father. Scout also says that Dill is a good story door. Dill inspires the idea of going to the Radley place.
We learn that Boo is pretty much an urban legend. We learn about Boo’s childhood and how he started a gang and was to be sent to industrial school. But Boo’s father swore to keep him in the house and out of trouble. We also learn from Calpurnia that Mr. Radley was mean. Jem sees Boo as more of a monster than a person. Jem thinks Boo is a murder and has a grotesque appearance. Jem also claims that at night, Boo scratches at people’s doors. We also learn that Jem is terrified as he is not willing to go there even when dared to by Dill. When Jem does touch the Radley’s door a shutter closes like someone was watching them the whole time.