Chapter One:

Harper Lee introduces the theme of social contracts into chapter one of To Kill A Mockingbird through the retrospective thoughts of Scout, the narrator. As she recalls Jem’s attempt to jump from the roof of their home, a stunt that could have caused serious harm, she speaks of her digust at his disregard to how a worst case senario would have left her, his sister. This shows what is expected of family in Maycomb, and the potential consequences of not doing so.

Chapter Three:

In Chapter three of To Kill a Mockingbird, the theme of respect is prevalent in Harper Lee’s narrative. Scout is eager to take her anger out on Walter, as she believes that her potential relationship with Miss Caroline has been scuppered. However, when Jem and Calpurnia step in at their respective parts, they respect Walter and acknowledge that he cannot be punished further for his misfortune. Scout fails to understand this, highlighting her lack of respect, which comes as part of youth.

Chapter Four:

In chapter four, the primary theme appears to be defiance. Scout is reluctant to spit out the chewing gum she discovered in the knot hole, despite Jem’s orders, until he threatens to take her to a more authoritative character. In stark contrast, later in the chapter, Jem proposes the game Boo Bradley, knowing with full knowledge that, if caught, a bearing could be at hand. This defiance could be a sign of ageing as the characters mature.

Chapter Six:

In chapter six of To Kill A Mockingbird, the importance of concealing the truth in order to maintain social contracts becomes clear. Jem tells his father, Atticus, that he lost his trousers during a game of strip poker with Dill and Scout, when in fact he lost them squirming beneath a fence in the Radley’s garden. Jem lies for fear that breaking the social contract between he and his father would harm their relationship, and even risks his own well-being to protect the lie. This reinforces the vitality of social contracts in Maycomb’s society.

Chapter Seven:

A significant theme in chapter seven of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is reunification. At the start of the chapter, Scout attempts to ‘climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it’, in hopes of understanding his moodiness. Scout does come to understand Jem’s mood, and later in the chapter they are once again close, following the items they receive via the knot hole. This is emphasised when Mr Radley fills the ‘dying’ tree with cement, seemingly in an attempt to block communication with Boo, or Arthur. Scout comforts Jem, when he becomes overwhelmed by events towards the end of the chapter.