Contents
Chapter 2
Overview
Scout begins first grade brimming with anticipation but clashes with her new teacher, Miss Caroline, who disapproves of Scout’s advanced reading and writing. A misunderstanding over Walter Cunningham’s refusal of lunch money highlights class pride, leading to Scout’s punishment. The day ends with Miss Caroline overwhelmed and Scout disillusioned with school.
Summary
With summer over, Dill returns to Meridian, and Scout looks forward to starting school after long hours of watching the playground from her treehouse. Jem escorts Scout but insists they keep their distance during school hours.
In class, the young teacher, Miss Caroline Fisher from North Alabama, reads a fanciful cat story that fails to engage the country children. After Scout demonstrates she can read The Mobile Register and write, Miss Caroline orders Scout to stop reading at home and not to write until third grade, declaring Atticus “does not know how to teach.”
At lunch check, Miss Caroline offers Walter Cunningham a quarter he refuses. Trying to explain the Cunninghams’ refusal to take what they can’t repay, Scout says Walter is a Cunningham and outlines his family’s pride and poverty, recalling Atticus being paid in goods. Miss Caroline misinterprets the explanation as insolence, slaps Scout’s hand with a ruler, and makes her stand in the corner.
The class erupts in laughter and noise until Miss Blount from sixth grade storms in and silences them. The bell ends the morning; as the students leave, Scout sees Miss Caroline collapse into her chair, overwhelmed. Scout’s excitement about school has turned into disappointment and resentment.
Who Appears
- Scout (Jean Louise Finch)Narrator and first-grader; reads and writes beyond grade level, clashes with Miss Caroline, explains the Cunninghams’ pride, and is punished.
- Miss Caroline FisherNew first-grade teacher; disapproves of Scout’s literacy, misunderstands local poverty norms, punishes Scout, and ends the morning distressed.
- Walter CunninghamClassmate from a poor farming family; refuses Miss Caroline’s quarter out of pride, prompting Scout’s ill-received explanation.
- Jem FinchScout’s brother; escorts Scout to school, distances himself during school, touts a misunderstood “Dewey Decimal” teaching method.
- Atticus FinchScout’s father; referenced as her nightly reading companion and as a lawyer paid in goods by Mr. Cunningham.
- CalpurniaFinch family housekeeper; taught Scout to write, leading to conflict with Miss Caroline’s rules.
- Miss BlountSixth-grade teacher; interrupts to restore order after the first-grade commotion.
- Dill (Charles Baker Harris)Friend who departs for Meridian at summer’s end, marking Scout’s transition to school.
- Miss Maudie AtkinsonNeighbor who boards Miss Caroline; briefly noted in Scout’s description.
- Mr. CunninghamWalter’s father; in backstory, pays Atticus with goods, illustrating the family’s pride and hardship.