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Uncle Jack is Atticus’s younger brother, and he comes to visit the family in Maycomb every year at Christmastime. Although he only appears in Chapter 9, his presence allows Lee to explore the decision-making process on a small, personal scale before it plays out in the Robinson trial. Scout explains that she loves Uncle Jack’s visits because of his warm and open attitude, noting that he is the only doctor who “never terrified [her].” He is very upfront with the children whenever he helps them with injuries, for example, and has a habit of speaking to them like adults.
Given that Scout is used to interacting with this version of Uncle Jack, she is shocked and upset when, in Chapter 9, he scolds her for swearing. He later reprimands her again after he finds her swearing at Francis, although he is unaware of the bullying that led to her outburst. The conflict that arises between Uncle Jack and Scout calls attention to the importance of understanding both sides of a story before making a judgement. While Uncle Jack believes he is doing the right thing by instructing his niece to act more ladylike, he is unknowingly condoning Francis’s racist attacks on Tom and Atticus as a result. Scout convinces her uncle to allow her to share her side of the story, and when she does, he immediately regrets his actions and apologizes to her. This exchange reflects Uncle Jack’s humble and honest nature, two qualities which are vital to fair decision making. His willing change in perspective and the resulting resolution of his conflict with Scout calls even greater attention the stubborn injustices that later plague the Robinson trial.
