The past perfect refers to a time earlier than before now. It is used to make it clear that one event happened before another in the past. It does not matter which event is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one happened first.
Answer:
I would describe the situation at the Radley home as thrilling and scary. Because in the home someone comes out and fires a shotgun which scares the children out of the yard and leaves Jem to escape but Jem gets caught on a fence and is forced to take his pants off and escape. As the neighbors discuss the gunfire.
The word candles is plural.
