When do Jem and Scout show respect in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird?

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, though Scout and Jem Finch have their moments of youthful rebellion and display a great deal of independence, they have in general been raised to be very respectful children.One example of Jem showing respectcan be seen in Chapter 12. Jem has already turned 12 years old and learned a great deal from Mrs. Dubose's death. In this chapter, Atticus must also leave the children to...

In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, though Scout and Jem Finch have their moments of youthful rebellion and display a great deal of independence, they have in general been raised to be very respectful children.

One example of Jem showing respect can be seen in Chapter 12. Jem has already turned 12 years old and learned a great deal from Mrs. Dubose's death. In this chapter, Atticus must also leave the children to Calpurnia's care because urgent business with the state legislature has called him away. Calpurnia, not trusting the children to be alone at their own church, decides to bring them with her to the African-American church as her guests. Once the children have been welcomed into the church and are settled in, Calpurnia hands each of them a dime to place in the offering. Jem protests, saying their father had already thought to leave them money for the offering. Calpurnia replies, "You keep it ... you're my company." Scout further narrates, "Jem's face showed brief indecision on the ethics of withholding his own dime, but his innate courtesy won and he shifted his dime to his pocket." Hence, Jem shows respect towards Calpurnia by accepting the dime she offered to him as her guest at her church. One reason why he hesitates is because he knows Cal is making a great sacrifice in giving the children the dimes since she earns far less money than Atticus Finch and times are hard due to the Great Depression. However, Jem knows that accepting the dime shows respect and courtesy towards Cal, so he very quickly decides in favor of accepting the dime.

One example of Scout showing respect can be seen in her acquiescence to stay with Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle for refreshments at her aunt's persistence. Also at her aunt's persistence, Scout appears dressed in her "pink Sunday dress, shoes, and a petticoat" (Ch. 27). Scout dutifully stays for refreshments because she knows her aunt is on a "campaign to teach [Scout] to be a lady," and she wants to please her aunt, showing us that this is a perfect example of Scout treating her aunt respectfully (Ch. 27).