While waiting to go with Atticus to see Helen Robinson, Jem urges Scout not to kill a roly-poly bug. Jem has been deeply affected by the events of the trial. He understands the senslessness of Tom's conviction and death, and he feels sensitive about the innocent. Scout, after years of being around and watching boys, believes that to be a "girl" is to be sensitive and "tender-hearted". A girl is sensitive and does not crush bugs because bugs are living beings. Therefore, she connects Jem's concern with girl-like behavior. It will be some time yet before Scout matures in the way that Jem has and begins to understand the cruelty of the world and to appreciate the beauty in it.
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