What are some comments throughout To Kill a Mockingbird that portray Scout as a curious individual?

Similar to many adolescents, Scout is a curious individual. There are many scenes throughout the novel that portray Scout's curiosity about various people and situations. Earlier in the novel, Scout shares her brother and Dill's curiosity regarding the "malevolent phantom," Boo Radley. In Chapter 5, Scout asks Miss Maudie, "do you think Boo Radley's still alive?" (Lee 57). Scout's question depicts her interest in Boo Radley, and she wonders if he is still living because nobody ever sees him.

There are many explicit concepts throughout the novel that Scout is unaware of because of her youth and innocence. In Chapter 12, Calpurnia mentions that Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Scout asks, "what's rape, Cal?" (Lee 165). Calpurnia says, "It's somethin' you'll have to ask Mr. Finch about" (Lee 165). In Chapter 14, Scout asks her father what rape is. Atticus says, "rape was the carnal knowledge of a female by force without consent" (Lee 180). Scout is continually asking her father to define the explicit words she hears throughout the novel which demonstrates her curious nature.

In Chapter 15, Atticus is surrounded by a mob while he is guarding Tom Robinson's jail cell. Scout hears him say, "Do you really think so?" and Scout mentions that his comment was "too good to miss" (Lee 202). Scout is curious about what Atticus will say next and takes off from her hiding spot. Scout's curiosity could have had negative consequences, but fortunately, her presence was enough to ease the tension of the situation.

In Chapter 24, Scout is invited to her Aunt Alexandra's missionary circle. Scout is apprehensive about attending, but witnesses Miss Maudie subtly criticize Mrs. Merriweather for insulting Atticus. Scout says, "She gave Miss Maudie a look of gratitude, and I wondered at the world of women...There was no doubt about it, I must soon enter this world, where on its surface fragrant ladies rocked slowly, fanned gently, and drank cool water" (Lee 313). Scout shows her curiosity by wondering about the subtle communication between Alexandra and Maudie.