Boo Radley is innocent even though he murdered Bob Ewell. He may have murdered a man, but he did this to save Scout and Jem Finch from being killed. Boo Radley has been portrayed as an evil man who does cruel things such as poisoning pecans, eat people’s pets and stab his father’s leg with scissors. He was under house arrest to keep his innocence, but people’s rumors and lies made stories of his horrific nature behind the window. "Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him. People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows" (Lee 9). Society’s rumors tried to break at Radley’s walls of innocence in which he has not sinned, but held the accusations of such …show more content…
lies. Unfortunately, Boo Radley has been engulfed in our society’s accusations and lies while saving the precious lives of two white children.
Boo Radley has been nothing less than a mockingbird who makes music. Even knowing that in the first few years of the book, he was the Finch kids’ entertainment in a rude way, he still stretched out his compassion to do little small nice things for the kids. He practically watched them grow up behind his window as they explored his yard, played, and matured into understanding and compassionate children. On Halloween, after the town’s pageant, a barefoot eight-year-old Scout and her thirteen-year-old brother were walking home in the dark. However, really soon, Jem, Scout’s brother, began hearing rustling and noticed that there was someone behind them. Thinking that their company was just Cecil, Scout’s classmate, they played along with the prank attempt. Pretty soon, however, their company began running and in her chunky ham costume with chicken wire, Scout fell. As Jem came to her rescue, he hit his head on the pavement and they were defenseless until out of nowhere, their attacker was jerked upwards and groaning in pain. Catching a glimpse at their attacker, Scout saw a man with stubble on his chin with breath smelling of stale whiskey. However, after Heck, the county officer, reported back saying that, “‘Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He’s dead, Mr. Finch (Lee …show more content…
266).’” However, after Mr.
Heck examined the crime scene and played out the scenario, he concluded that, “‘Bob Ewell meant business.’” Atticus added that, “‘He was out of his mind’”, but Heck responded that, “‘Low down skunk with enough liquor in him to make him brave enough to kill your children’” (Lee 269). Under the influence of alcohol, Ewell has the ability to slaughter both children in cold-blood for his hatred. It has become quite possible that Ewell was also mentally ill which led him to do very cruel actions. If Boo Radley hadn’t stepped in, the children would have been murdered harshly and without defenses. Boo Radley is still the mockingbird who stepped in as the hero to save two very important parts of our future. Also, a black boy is dead because of Bob Ewell and “‘Let the dead bury the dead this time’” (Lee
276). Putting Boo Radley in the eyes of the community would kill his innocence and his “house arrest” would have been in vain. To kill a mockingbird would be a sin, because they make music that brings light into our lives, but killing it would just be killing something that is innocent and does not deserve the harsh end. Boo Radley hasn’t been anything but a person who has been framed for crimes he doesn’t commit, while he spreads compassion and kindness to even those who don’t treat him humanely. Just as Scout says towards the end, shedding the judgmental spotlight on Radley it would “‘sort of be like shootin’ a mockingbird.” Boo stayed behind his windows in an attempt to maintain his innocence and never have rumors engulf him, but no matter how horrid society was, he maintained his innocence and his heart never stopped giving. Even though he killed a man, it was to save two innocent lives. Plus, you can say he murdered someone period, but the man is the reason his daughter was abused and a black man is dead. And without Mr. Radley’s valiant rescue, two more lives would have been added to the list of those who have killed by his hand. False accusations of his childhood has haunted his reputation as he locks himself up in his innocence in the Radley residence, but his care for the Finch children led him out there to go and save the two children. Blaming an innocent soul and locking him up is a sin as is killing a mockingbird. Boo Radley has killed a man, yes, but unlike the man, it was not cold-blooded murder, it was for the sake of two innocent lives, our community’s future’s lives. His rescue should not result in punishment, but rather praise. Although he does not want praise, he deserves to the respect of someone who has saved people regardless of what he has been previously framed for.
Bob Ewell decided to get back at Atticus for the Tom Robinson case by attacking his kids. Boo Radley saved Scout and Jem by stabbing Bob, but Heck Tate is insistent on saying that Bob fell on his knife. Atticus agrees and then explains the situation to Scout. Scout explained to him, “‘Yes sir, I understand,’ I reassured him. ‘
Boo Radley, also known as Arthur Radley, is the scary, evil creature that lives in the creepy old house down the street from Jem and Scout, and is misjudged at first. Jem and Scout, two main characters, first see Boo as some sort of scary monster. Jem described him in the first chapter as “...six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks...” and said “...he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained- if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off...” Jem also mentioned Boo had a “...long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time.” Scout and Jem also call Boo a “...malevolent phantom...” As if that isn't bad enough, the kids hear and tell horrible stories about Boo. One is of how he stabbed his dad with a pair of scissors; another tells how he was locked up in the courthouse basement. Even with such a grisly initial perception at the beginning of...
Boo Radley is first introduced as a mysterious monster-like man that doesn’t leave his house, but the truth is later revealed. Boo’s backstory was one of a misunderstood teen that hung around the wrong crowd d out the truth with a strict father. Boo was preyed upon by a couple of boys that led him to get into trouble and then seen as a creepy shameful man although he was just a harmless mentally ill person. Boo was very reclusive and possibly autistic. This explains why his father was so protective, also why he was very shy never left his house because he could be socially awkward. Boo’s possible undiagnosed autism and lack of knowledge of mental illness
In Chapter 28 of the novel, Jem and Scout are attacked by Bob Ewell. Boo Radley had been looking out for them and keeps them from being killed. After the attack Scout sees “...someone carrying a load too heavy for him. He was going around the corner. He was carrying Jem. Jem’s arm was dangling crazily in front of him.”(302-03) Even though Scout does not realize it yet, this man is Boo Radley. He is trying to protect two innocent
they both explained that there was a ‘..long jagged scar that ran across his face; what yellow teeth he had were yellow and were rotten his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time.”(Lee,13) Boo Radley and is a shy man that does not like getting out much but he always wanted to have friends, but he was to afraid to talk to be people, but scout and jem are two people that caught his attention to be friends with, so to give them hints Boo Radley leaves them little presents in a tree so they both can find them so he can show that he wants to reach out to them so they can have a friendship this can relate back to the Mockingbird because the mockingbird has the qualities like Boo Radley. In the book To kill a Mockingbird ...”mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy they don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.”(Lee,90) Boo Radley is similar to these qualities because he also keeps to himself and does not bother any body. He also likes to bring joy by the gifts he gives to Jem and scout.
To Kill a Mocking Bird (referred to as ‘TKAMB’ hereafter) is a novel set in the 1930, South
The narrator of the story, Scout Finch, is a curious young girl who is surprisingly mature for her age. When her older brother Jem, and shared friend Dill go to the intriguing Radley house to deliver a note to Boo Radley, whom Macomb County hasn’t seen in 15 years, Scout is
Among the many plots within the story, many of them surround Boo Radley or attempting to have Boo Radley come out of his house. In these stories show Jem, Scout, and Dill are terrified of the Radley house and what be inside. However, they are mistaken, for Boo Radley wants to do the exact opposite of scaring the children. For example, Boo tries to show friendship to Scout and Jem by leaving them gifts in the tree outside of his house. These gifts include dolls, gum, a knife, a watch, etc. Boo also is thought to have wrapped Scout in a blanket during the chapter in which Miss Maudie’s house had burned down. Boo Radley is thought to have done it because Atticus says “Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you.” (Lee 96) supporting the fact that Boo Radley was looking out for Scout. Lastly, Boo Radley saved Scout and Jem when they were attacked by Bob Ewell. This heroic effort was not only full of care, but also, full of
Boo Radley is thought to be a malevolent, soulless, deceitful person, but he proves to be a caring, good-natured person. In Chapter 1, Jem offers his perception of Boo Radley to Scout and Dill: " ‘Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time’ " (16). Jem perceives Boo Radley as being a “monster” instead of being a man. Jem comes to this conclusion despite having never even seen Boo Radley in person. Jem’s understanding of Boo Radley is based on the rumors that he has heard about him. In Chapter 8, after the fire at Miss Maudie’s house, Scout notices that she was wrapped in a blanket that she did not have with she left the house. Scout asks Atticus who was the person that put the blanket around her. Atticus tells Scout, "Boo Radley. You were so busy watching the fire you didn't know it when he...
But Boo tends to be a misunderstood character, just like the mockingbird. In chapter 28, when Jem and Scout were walking back home from school, they took the shortcut which happened to be pitch black. Jem heard a sound which alerted them. At first Jem thought it was Cecil Jacobs (a boy who liked to pull jokes on Jem and Scout), but then they realized it was someone else. They heard footsteps running after them to find that it was a grown man. Jem called out to Scout to run but she fell due to her costume.When Scout finally got back up to find Jem, the man squeezed her until she could barely breathe. Worriedly, Scout called out for Jem but didn’t get a response. She saw two men underneath the tree besides Jem and herself. She called out “Atticus?” but there was no answer once again. She noticed a man laying the ground that had the awful essence of booze, she got up and made her way over the road, and within the light of the street lamp Scout sees a man carrying Jem. The man headed towards the Finch house, where Atticus let him in. Scout eventually realized that “the man” was no other than Mr. Arthur or commonly referred to as Boo Radley. Mr. Arthur, despite his poor perception of
Boo Radley is the next door neighbor of the Finch’s. He is an outsider of the community, because he does not leave the house. He got in some trouble as a teenager, so his father locked him up inside the house. After his father died, his brother moved in with him. While Boo was locked up inside is house, the people of Maycomb County made up stories about him. The legend of Boo Radley was well-known to the people of Maycomb. Jem describes Boo, “Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time.” (Lee ). Boo is an innocent character because all he does stay inside his own house, and does not bother anybody. Yet the entire town believes that he could be a murderer. Harper Lee is showing that if you do not fit into southern society, they will make you into an outsider and a bad legend. Another example of Boo Radley being an innocent character is when he gives a blanket to Scout. Miss Maudie Atkinson, one of the Finch’s neighbors, had a house fire. Atticus (Scout and Jem’s father) woke up the kids and made them go outside, in case the fire spread to their house. While Scout was not looking someone gave her a blanket, “‘Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.’ ‘Thank who?’ I asked. ‘Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you.’”(Lee ). Boo Radley is an innocent character because he helped warm up Scout in the cold, yet Scout was still scared that Boo had been near here. Harper Lee is showing us that Boo could do a nice thing, and yet Scout would still be scared because of his reputation. Finally, another
In the case of Scout and Jem, they believed that Boo Radley, who is an outcast of Maycomb, possesses a horrific appearance, and that he is a savage, "he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained." However, as the story progresses, it is revealed that Boo is actually a kind-hearted person who has not done anybody wrong, but unfortunately, he was ruined by the hands of his family. Thus, Boo is an example of a mockingbird, as mentioned by Atticus. The disclosing of the character of Boo demonstrates Scout and Jem's loss of innocence. They can no longer see Boo as a mysterious threat in their life, instead they saw Boo as a person. "...he's crazy..but Atticus I swear to God he ain't ever harmed us, he coulda cut my throat...but he mend my pants instead..." In a way, Boo serves as a symbol of the transition of Scout and Jem's maturity, as the kids exhibit their ability to empathize with
In addition, his description describes him as a “bloodstained” (1.12) monster from the kid’s point of view. The description of “malevolent phantom” conveys that Boo is an evil creature full of mystery and “bloodstained” serves to add to the creepy atmosphere. However, the initial perception changes as the story progresses where Jem believes after the trial that Boo “wants to stay inside” (23.227) of his home to avoid seeing the true evil that people can do to each other. In addition, Scout’s impression of Boo transforms when she decides to “stand in his shoes” seeing that he knew they “needed him” (31.279). The atmosphere around Boo Radley no longer remains evil but rather one of a protective guardian when Scout empathizes with Boo. The setting made it possible to see the difference between one’s expectation and one’s reality through the importance of empathy. If the setting did not take place in Maycomb with the Radleys, then it would not have been possible to understand the error of false
It teaches them to not be prejudice and get to know a person before making a judgement. Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley, was frowned upon by many people in the Maycomb community. He was rumoured to have been locked in the basement by his father and older brother after an incident involving scissors. Though never seen stepping outside his house, he intrigues yet also frightens Scout, Jem and their friend Dill. After different events in the novel, the children come to find that Boo Radley is not intimidating, but a man who due to his father, is emotionally damaged. Miss Maudie, a neighbour of the Finch’s, explains to Scout that "Mockingbirds don 't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don 't eat up people 's gardens, don 't nest in corncribs, they don 't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That 's why it 's a sin to kill a mockingbird.” The mockingbird is a symbol for innocent people, who are judged for no reason. Like the mockingbird, Boo Radley has people prejudiced against him when he is an innocent man. By using this metaphor, the reader is able to understand the link between Boo Radley and the innocence and morality. As well as the mockingbird, he also symbolises goodness. By secretly watching over Scout and Jem, he protects them from later being attacked by Bob Ewell, a symbol of evil. When Jem and Scout begin to trust Boo, they are paying the highest tribute they could pay him.
Atticus has a hard time choosing whether to tell the town that Bob Ewell died of an accident, or whether his son or Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell. Atticus is a famous lawyer in Maycomb and he believes in legal justice. Atticus learns what had really happened from Scout?s explanation of what she had seen, and heard when Bob Ewell attacked them while walking back from the school play. He understood that Bob Radley killed Bob Ewell in order to save Jem?s life. Atticus does not want to send Boo to court for the fact that Boo saved his children?s life.