Why do you think jem and scout were so devastated when they found the oak tree had been cemented shut?

Answer 1

Because they used to be left little gifts in the knothole--gum, pennies, that kind of thing. However, with the cement covering the knothole they wouldn't be able to get them anymore.

Answer 2

Jem and Scout wanted to leave a thank you letter for the person who gave them the presents. Now that the knot-hole was filled up by Mr. Nathan Radley, they cannot thank the person, which made him sad.

Answer 3

I think that Jem and Scout were devastated because that was their way of communicating with Boo Radley. Boo would put little presents in the knothole for Jem and Scout to find. In return Jem and Scout wrote a letter which they were going to place in the knothole for Boo to find. However they did not place the letter for the hole had been shut with cement. They were devastated because they had no means of communicating left. Plus they loved the gifts they had recieved from Boo Radley.

Answer 4

Bo had been "communicating" with them through the knothole. He left the children small presents there. Without the knothole, Bo would need to be more direct in his friendliness and protectiveness over the children.

Answer 5

Jem and Scout were devastated because the oak tree held sentimental value for them—it was a place of mystery and wonder, and had a connection to Boo Radley, whom they had come to care about. The tree represented a sense of innocence and adventure in their lives, and its cementing shut symbolized the loss of that connection and the end of their childhood.

Answer 6

They used to find lots of fun little gadgets and trees and now they won't find any anymore.