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The importance of maturity
Kill a mockingbird Harper Lee
Kill a mockingbird Harper Lee
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Growing up and maturing is a tough process, it’s an important process that is reoccuring throughout every human’s lifespan. It’s occurrence provides wisdom, a chance to improve and learn from mistakes that you may have regretted.To Kill a Mockingbird has survived for the lifespan of a novel as it is a masterpiece in the literature sector. It has taught many exceptional life lessons and provided remarkable words of wisdom throughout the numerous years that our society has grown. It is a novel written by Harper Lee in 1960, taking place in Maycomb, Alabama, from 1933 to 1955, during the years of the Great Depression, when poverty, unemployment and racism were widespread throughout the United States. It’s about the growth and maturing process …show more content…
In the novel, the Radley family inhabits the house that is across the Finch family, the family is unsocial and the son, Arthur (Boo) Radley, hasn’t been seen for years. When Boo Radley’s role was constituted into the novel, Scout’s opinion on Boo was quite imprecise. This opinion was largely devised by Ms. Stephanie but after inaccurate analysis, Scout,Jem and Dill come to the conclusion that “Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall… , he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hand were bloodstained… 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 the most of the time.” (Lee , 7). Radley’s reclusiveness produces strong disapproval from not only Scout, Jem and Dill but also from nearly the whole county. Opinions on the Radley family causes Scout to fear the family and especially, Boo. The name, Boo, was created by the three children’s imagination and evaluation of Arthur’s conduct. Boo representation for his remoteness is quite accurate as the name relates to ghost. Except, it is more probable that the name is a portrayal of his features as his name is closely identical to what the town believes he is, an entity. Eventually, the harsh judgement on Boo starts to alleviate as the story unravels, this is mainly triggered by Atticus’s wiseness. Atticus is an influential figure who is reasonable, embodies fairness, empathy and a great deal of respect, Scout is able to quickly mature with the help of him. She is taught that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Lee,30), this is quickly accumulated by Scout. It is displayed at the finale, after all the mysterious gifts and actions that Boo grants them with, when he arrives to the rescue for them. At the end of the thrilling finale, Scout is able to immediately
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
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...
In the beginning of the story, Boo represents the unknown. The children wonder about Boo and his strange way of life, but really have no concept of who he is. At first, the children ask questions about Boo with regards to his "weird" living style. When this does not satisfy their curiosities, they make up games and stories about Boo which present him as being a monster. At one point, the children invade the Radley property in hopes of finding some clue which will better explain Boo's character
Harper Lee’s only book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is the stereotypical tale of childhood and innocence, yet it successfully incorporates mature themes, like the racism in the South at the time, to create a masterpiece of a work that has enraptured people’s minds and hearts for generations. According to esteemed novelist Wally Lamb, “It was the first time in my life that a book had sort of captured me. That was exciting; I didn’t realize that literature could do that” (111). Scout’s witty narration and brash actions make her the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for, and the events that take place in Maycomb County are small-scale versions of the dilemmas that face our world today. Mockingbird is a fantastically written novel that belongs on the shelves of classic literature that everyone should take the time to read and appreciate for its execution of style and the importance of its content.
The way and rate that people mature at can be directly attributed to the values and beliefs of the society that surrounds an individual. It is undeniable that society’s perspective on many controversial issues will generally be adopted by the younger generations in a given society. Moreover, the exposure to significant events, coupled with the major influence of family members, can have an enormous impact on how an individual matures. Additionally, family members greatly help each other develop into moral adults by instilling in each other values that will ultimately determine an individual’s character. In Harper Lee’s timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, the constant reiteration of Atticus Finch’s values, in conjunction with the exposure to significant events, assist in Jem and Scout’s maturation into virtuous adolescents.
gives them a mutual bond. Both of these characters had to pay for their actions with their lives - Boo Radley being deprived of friendship and the outside world with his own family, and Tom Radley. being convicted of a crime he did not commit, which ultimately lead to his death. Boo Radley, otherwise known as Arthur Radley, is described by Jem as a. monster-type figure: "Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging by the size of his head." from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could.
He does this by leaving candy and treats in the oak tree in front of his house for Jem and Scout. Another way Boo is seen as more real is when he folds Jem’s pants and puts them on the fence. The more the kids learn, the more they think of him. He no longer seems like a murderous lunatic when Miss Maudie tells Scout that most of the rumors about him are false. Miss Maudie is able to reason with them when she says, “Arthur Radley just stays in the house, that’s all… Wouldn’t you stay in the house if you didn’t want to come out” (Lee 58)?
The Role of Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird “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). At the beginning of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the character of Arthur “Boo” Radley is known as a monster to most of the population in the small town of Maycomb. In the novel, Boo is keyfully used to show both evolving ideas and story growth.
Businessman Ziad K. Abdelnour once said that, “Maturity comes from experience, not age.” It is what we do and see in our lives that allows us to grow. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a prime example of this fact. Her story follows the adventures of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, commencing when she is six-years old and continuing until she is nine. It shows the world through a child’s eyes, from child fears and games, to the realization of world views, unfairness and racism.
Boo Radley is portrayed as a heathen, although he is really just an introverted, amicable person. Boo is first heard of in chapter 1 when the Finch kids are describing him to Dill. The children are warning their new playmate about the mysterious stranger down the street, when the narrator explains: “Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom… people still looked at the Radley Place, unwilling to discard their initial suspicions” (5). This shows how no one in Maycomb has the decency to look beyond what has been reputed, and give an innocent man the benefit of the doubt. The whole town has illustrated Boo as a menace because he is a recluse and has no interaction with the outside world unless it is to creep up to his neighbors’ windows,
Scout realizes this and compares Boo to a mockingbird, he hasn’t done anything to anyone but saved Jem Scout and Mayella from Bob’s physical harm. She made a connection and showed her understanding of what mockingbirds are, harmless and helpful people. The maturity is shown through Scout's understanding and connection that people can be mockingbirds
Scout describes Jem’s state after the Tom Robinson case by quoting, “It was Jem’s turn to cry. his face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd” (Lee 212). Scout matures by understanding the real Boo Radley and what his life is like by saying, “Well it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 276). They both display the traits of compassion, respect and intellect.
The whole community has a stigma of Boo Radley, and they believe that he’s a monster. Jem gives a description of Boo and comments that, “He dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained.” (15). Boo is perceived as a terrifying person, and no one dares to cross his path. However, throughout the novel, Jem and Scout learn some hidden truths about Boo.
Throughout the story, Boo Radley has been seen as a horrible person due to the rumors about him. Scout realizes that Boo deserves to be understood like everyone else, even though he may act differently than what the community considers to be normal. Scout says in realization, ”Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives”(373).