Chapter 26/27: "The Radley place had ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under it's great oaks, and no less uninviting." Explore this with reference to Scout's development.

While it is true that Scout has matured to drop most of her views, she still recognizes the basic facts and begins to grasp some more complex ones in Maycomb County. It's true that the Radley house is uninviting, and while she is beginning to lose her beliefs of "haints and hot steams," (Lee 341) the Radley place is uninviting, as the activities going on inside the fence and house are relatively unknown, with the exception of Nathan Radley's rare excursions into town. Scout is beginning to develop into an adult and starting to fit into the "caste system in Maycomb County." (Lee 175) She is wondering how to proceed in the most mature way, and she tries to understand complex concepts by asking Atticus. One example of this is when she wonders why Hitler is persecuting the Jews, and why Miss Gates is being a hypocrite by saying that it is "one of the most terrible stories in history." (Lee 329) She is further exploring her initial questioning of Jem or Atticus, and is trying to follow her brother's lead by trying to understand issues herself. This shows the level of maturity she has, and it shows the determination and pride she has by not relying on others' answers and opinions.

Questions: How will Scout continue to develop and mature as the novel comes to a close? Is the Radley Place going to become more or less terrifying as the book concludes? How much of a role model is Jem to Scout?