Literary Devices in Chapter 6

Imagery:
"Then I saw the shadow. It was the shadow of a man with a hat on. At first I thought it was a tree, but there was no wind blowing, and tree trunks never walked. The back porch was bathed in moonlight, and the shadow, crisp as toast, moved across the porch towards Jem. Dill saw it next. He put his hands to his face. When it crossed Jem, Jem saw it. He put his arms over his head and went rigid." (page 71)

• At this point the children believe that the shadow of Nathan is really Boo Radley, he is the mysterious shadow hovering over them. Harper Lee uses this image to reinforce how terrified the kids are of one image that they themselves have created of Boo Radley. This also shows how this one man's existence has affected their well-being.  

Symbolism and Foreshadowing:
 "There was a lady in the moon in Maycomb.  She sat at a dresser combing her hair." (page 67)  

• In the Maycomb society, shadows in the moon represented conflict.  Therefore, by using symbolism, Lee is suggesting that there is impeding conflict.  Furthermore, the dresser in which the lady is combing her hair, represents distress, where the mirror in the dresser represents an impending inner conflict. This is proved valid later in the chapter as Scout, Jem and Dill are almost shot at by Nathan Radley.  Therefore, the meddling with the Radely's has been bothering Jean, the speaker of this quote, for awhile. 

Symbolism:

"Matches were dangerous, but cards were fatal"(page 75)

• This quote is said by Scout after Dill covers for Jem in pants incident.  In this quote, Harper Lee is reminding us that in this uptight and religious society, to be caught gambling at all would invite punishment, but to be caught actually using cards would bring far more severe consequences.  To be playing with matches, even when an element of gambling is involved, symbolizes a certain naivete and lack of sophistication, but to be gambling with actual cards simbolizes the actual act.  

Theme:  
"It's like this, Scout," he muttered.  "Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I can remember.  I wanta keep it  that way."(page 75)

• In this quote, the theme of childhood is brought up.  Although Jem wants to rebel, against his father, he still wants to be the apple in his eyes.  All children experience this feeling.  Although, they grow up and begin to rebel at some point in their life, they will always want to be praised by their parents.  Jem never wants Atticus to see him in a bad light, which is why he goes to retrieve his pants from the Radley's; he doesn't' want his father to know of what he had done.