To Kill a Mockingbird
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 06/05/2012 03:41 AM
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How does the reader's view of Boo Radley change throughout the novel? - Poppy Georgaros
Maycomb was a town full of prejudice, rumors and talk. Early in the story, Boo was a subject of talk, described to be tall and scary looking. He was even given the name ‘phantom’ because no one knew who he was and he supposedly went out every night to eat cats or any other living animal. The only reason for this way of thinking was because no one had seen him or heard him speak, not once. But this all changes as we learn about him throughout the novel.
Jem and Scout first encounter Boo Radley when he was planting items in the knothole. Neither of them knew who it was, placing items for them in that hole. Boo put strange things in there for instance, a pocket watch, medal, and chewing gum but the weirdest was 2 human-like carvings made from soap. Jem and Scout figured that the figures resembled themselves. They thought that Boo was watching them. This establishes a less distant connection between Boo and the reader(s) as he is now a part of jem and Scout's lives.
He is apparent only once in toward the middle of the book, when Miss Maudie’s house was on fire. Jem and Scout were standing tall in the cold weather, witnessing the final moments of the property and the attempt made by some to save household objects. As the trauma continued, without Scout noticing, Boo wrapped a blanket around her. Later that night, Atticus (her father) asked where she got it, but she didn’t even know. They narrowed their search down to Boo, because the children were standing in-front of his home. At this point, the readers would be thinking as to why Boo would put the blanket around Scout. Since everyone thought he tapped on windows and was a man of horror, why would he do that? The readers at this point in the book would have a sign of confusion. This also comes back on the scene where Jem’s pants were mended poorly and folded as if Boo was waiting for Jem. No-one knew as to why he would do...
Maycomb was a town full of prejudice, rumors and talk. Early in the story, Boo was a subject of talk, described to be tall and scary looking. He was even given the name ‘phantom’ because no one knew who he was and he supposedly went out every night to eat cats or any other living animal. The only reason for this way of thinking was because no one had seen him or heard him speak, not once. But this all changes as we learn about him throughout the novel.
Jem and Scout first encounter Boo Radley when he was planting items in the knothole. Neither of them knew who it was, placing items for them in that hole. Boo put strange things in there for instance, a pocket watch, medal, and chewing gum but the weirdest was 2 human-like carvings made from soap. Jem and Scout figured that the figures resembled themselves. They thought that Boo was watching them. This establishes a less distant connection between Boo and the reader(s) as he is now a part of jem and Scout's lives.
He is apparent only once in toward the middle of the book, when Miss Maudie’s house was on fire. Jem and Scout were standing tall in the cold weather, witnessing the final moments of the property and the attempt made by some to save household objects. As the trauma continued, without Scout noticing, Boo wrapped a blanket around her. Later that night, Atticus (her father) asked where she got it, but she didn’t even know. They narrowed their search down to Boo, because the children were standing in-front of his home. At this point, the readers would be thinking as to why Boo would put the blanket around Scout. Since everyone thought he tapped on windows and was a man of horror, why would he do that? The readers at this point in the book would have a sign of confusion. This also comes back on the scene where Jem’s pants were mended poorly and folded as if Boo was waiting for Jem. No-one knew as to why he would do...