One of the major themes in the book is how children transition from a carefree world to one filled with more adult concerns and consequences. When Dill arrives, he challenges Jem and Scout to break free from their childhood superstitions and confront "danger". This takes form in the shape of a dare to touch the Radley house.
Very often, children imagine themselves as indestructible. They believe that bad things only happen to others. Certainly, they do not believe that something bad could happen to them. To children, the idea of mortality is an intangible concept that they seldom have to face. Every so often, an innocent dare has lasting consequences.
In the case of the Finch kids, this is good and bad. On one hand, they begin to lose their childhood innocence and wonder. On the other hand, reaching out to Boo Radley helps free them from childish fear and prejudice against people who are "different" from them.
In your journals:
Recall a time when you dared to do something that felt dangerous. How did you feel about the person or people who made the dare? Did you carry out the dare? Why or why not? After it was over, how did you feel about the yourself and the person who challenged you?
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