The Boo Radley Story

The Boo Radley Story Boo Radley is a character that Harper Lee steers away from as far as information is concerned between the start and the end. We first hear of him in the second paragraph of the first chapter and over the next few chapters we are given pieces of stories about him to build up a picture of what him and what his mysterious life is like. Then through the second part of the book Boo is hardly ever mentioned until the very end. According to Jem, Dill was the one who had came up with the idea to make Boo come out. At this point in the book the children's minds are very quick to make assumptions about Boo and why he stays in his house. It is clear to see that when one story starts about the Radleys it gets exaggerated every time it gets told to another person (not helped by Miss Stephanie Crawford). So the amount of stories the children have heard with all these variations has led them to them believe that Boo is a crazy murderer who would cut your throat if he got the chance; and all this because of the one incident where he stuck scissors in his fathers leg. We find out that Boo then got in trouble with a gang and was to be sent to a strict school by the court but Mr Radley wouldn't have it and made Boo stay inside the house for the guts of the book. This obviously made Boo very bored and in chapter four is when he starts trying to communicate with the

  • Word count: 693
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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Similarities between tom Robinson and boo radley

Similarities between tom Robinson and boo radley Certain uncanny resemblances between Tom Robinson and Boo Radley's lives exist in Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Often large groups of people misunderstand certain unusual individuals. Sometimes they stereotype the person; other times, they simply do not bother to find out the truth. When such circumstances occur, the ostracized person's actions become unfairly misinterpreted or not understood at all. Sometimes rumors circulate about the individuals, that might then be assumed as the truth. In this novel, Tom and Boo are both outsiders to the white, normal society of Maycomb county. Tom and Boo share generous natures that are misunderstood; they hold little social value, and are generally assumed guilty. The first parallel in the lives of Tom and Boo, focuses on their property. Tom lives in the "nigger nest" (pg. 175) near to Mr. Ewell but outside the city limits. While testifying Mr. Ewell says, "I've asked this county for fifteen years to clean out that nest down yonder, they're dangerous to live around 'sides devaluin' my property (pg. 175)". A person's status often relates to his property, and the interpretation of that property's value is often based on the tenants of the land. In Maycomb county, the black community inhabits the least desirable property. In the Jim Crow era, blacks were stereotyped as violent and

  • Word count: 1623
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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The importance of Boo Radley in the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

The Importance of 'Boo' Radley Arthur Radley, nicknamed Boo Radley by the children of Maycomb plays a very important role in the first ten chapters of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. Boo Radley is a recluse. He and his family are regarded as outsiders and are shunned by the majority of the towns inhabitants because they deviate from what is socially acceptable in Maycomb, this is seen in the line "The Radleys, welcome anywhere in town, kept to themselves, a predilectation unforgivable in Maycomb." This is very effective at showing how the townspeople alienate citizens who don't conform to the ways of Maycomb. Boo Radley is a victim of this alienation. Rather than let his son be taken to an industrial school after causing trouble in Maycomb, Mr. Radley (Boo's father) took him home. Mr. Radley regarded this as a disgrace and Boo wasn't seen again for fifteen years. During that time many rumours spread around Maycomb, many of which were fabricated by Miss Stephanie Crawford and the rest by the black people of Maycomb .These rumours are what compelled Boo to stay in his house. The prejudice and xenophobia of Maycomb's citizens prepares the reader for the injustice in Tom Robinsons trial. Boo Radley is also used as an example of how religion can be used as a weapon, this is shown in the line "but sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle

  • Word count: 710
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Another person who is represented by a mockingbird is Boo Radley

Another person who is represented by a mockingbird is Boo Radley. Boo stays in the house all day he never comes out of his house until we reach the end of the novel. As he never comes out the children, Boo and Scout don't know what he looks like. They all imagine him to look like a monster. They think that he is a scary person who hates everyone. The children often played games where they dared each other to go and touch the Radley's front door or to touch the Radley's gate. In a way Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are similar in the fact that they both have been imprisoned as they have done something wrong, Boo Radley is imprisoned in his house, while Tom is imprisoned in jail, and they have both been demonised by the outside world. Although they are similar they also have many differences between them. They were both different race, Boo was eventually freed but Tom dies. Tom Robinson was trapped by the state as he was accused of raping a white girl, whereas Boo is being trapped by his brother for the trouble he caused to the neighbourhood many years ago. Whereas Atticus speaks out for Tom Robinson in court, Scout speaks out for Boo Radley. Another example of a mockingbird type character is Atticus Finch. Atticus symbolises justice, morality and judgement. Atticus is also free of prejudice. He is represented by a mockingbird as he is a harmful person, in ... Mockingbirds

  • Word count: 1777
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How do Tom Robinson and Boo Radley conform to the Mockingbird Type?

To kill a Mockingbird How do Tom Robinson and Boo Radley conform to the Mockingbird Type? Many themes run through out this book, such as Religion, courage, discrimination/prejudice, racism, innocence and most importantly the theme of the mockingbird, which represents in some way or another all of the former themes mentioned. Different people may have different perceptions to what a Mockingbird represents but in this book a mockingbird is a small innocent creature that, as Miss Maudie says: '...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 to enjoy. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' The killing of an innocent as a horrendous crime in any age and any time, so likewise, 'it is a sin to kill a mockingbird', which represents innocence, in this story of innocence destroyed by evil. As we read further into the book we are made more aware of the fact that the two characters Tom Robinson and Arthur (Boo) Radley possess the same traits as a mockingbird, but it is only towards the end of the novel when Jem starts to realise the injustice of racism and the cruelty of Tom being condemned guilty, and Scout who connects the idea of Boo Radley being Mockingbird 'Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird'. Starting with Tom Robinson, who maybe is

  • Word count: 1512
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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The prejudice against Boo Radley is a reflection of prejudice in society.

The prejudice against Boo Radley is a reflection of prejudice in society. Jem and Scout who make plays and play games that are based on Boo Radley. They see this as an insignificant; they just see it as a game. When actually what they were doing was cruel and as mean as what the Maycomb community is doing to black people. The prejudice Jem and Scout have against Boo Radley is stimulated by fear and superstition. Jem and Scout believe Boo Radley is some kind of extra terrestrial monster. They believe this because they have heard rumours from people like miss Stephanie Crawford. She tells them that he stabbed his father with a pair of scissors and that he dines on squirrels and other vermin. This feeds their fear of Boo. Also they relate to Boo in a way when they hear ghost stories. Atticus tells Jem and Scout to quit play these foolish games. He also explains that Boo Radley is a human being and he is capable of having feelings and emotions just as they are. Also he has never done anything to hurt or harm them. As Jem and Scout mature they actually realise that Boo is a human being able to suffer and have emotions exactly as they are. Scout also finds out that women are considered unequal to men. This is called gender prejudice. Scout finds out when she asks Atticus why there are no women on the jury stand. He tells her women are not allowed to be on the jury stand. Also

  • Word count: 1129
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Boo Radley’s Journal August 28th 1936.

Boo Radley's Journal August 28th 1936 - Those Finch kids came to touch my house today. I think that they think I'm a monster, they're terrified of me. I can't really say I blame them though. I'm so close to mad that it makes no difference. Anyone would be mad if they were kept in here as long as I've been. Anyway, they were hanging around the house without a care in the world, and I just saw one of them run towards the house. He threw the gate open and just slapped the side of the house with his palm. I was just opening the inside shutter to get a better view of the scene, but he had gone before I could see him properly. I get sick of their fascination with our house. That said I am grateful for the attention. I've never really had a proper conversation with anyone since the incident, except with Mr. Nathan but that doesn't really count. I long to be able to go out side again, and relive my lost childhood. As it is I'm living it through the Finch children. May 26th 1937 - I've been watching Jem and Scout (for they're their names) walk to and from school everyday, and today I decided to leave them a gift in the knot-hole in the old oak tree in our yard. It was only a couple of packets of chewing gum, but I think that at least Scout seemed to appreciate it. I'm glad to have some contact with the outside world. Jem seemed more suspicious of it though, a quality that must have

  • Word count: 1875
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Crime and Punishment in the American South - Compare Tom Robinson's Punishment with that of Boo Radley.

Crime and Punishment in the American South: Compare Tom Robinson's Punishment with that of Boo Radley. In the era in which "To Kill a Mocking Bird" was set (1933-35) there was great prejudice in the American South. According to the Chambers dictionary "prejudice" is: "an opinion formed without careful thought: an unreasonable or unfair feeling (in favour of or against, something): injury, harm (e.g. to the prejudice of his own interests). To bias the mind of: to damage, spoil (e.g. This rash act prejudiced his chances of success)". In "To Kill a Mockingbird" the main prejudice is against black people but is also evident in white society with regard to status in the community. Tom Robinson was a black man accused of the rape of a white women - Mayella Ewell. The Ewell's were known as "White Trash"(a prime example of prejudice in white society). The children of the family were unruly and uneducated as they did not attend school and Mr Ewell was an unemployed citizen of Maycomb who let his eldest children look after the family. Mayella, the daughter of Mr Ewell, was in desperate need of some attention. Tom Robinson often did small jobs to help Mayella and her family. Tom was very considerate and did not mind helping others. Mayella lacked love and affection, which later on led her to ask Tom Robinson to kiss her, although Tom was a married man and a father of three. Tom

  • Word count: 1158
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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A Comparison of the portrayal of Boo Radley in'To Kill a Mockingbird' and Miss Havishamin 'great expectations'

Nirmal Sisodia A Comparison of the portrayal of Boo Radley in 'To Kill a Mockingbird' and Miss Havisham in 'great expectations' In 'To Kill a Mockingbird' the author uses a retrospective narration, this means that we can see events through the eyes of a child, yet also has the intelligence of an adult to explain the events thouroghly. Because narrator has personal experience of what happened we have a closer insight into the details. This method of reflection means that we can understand other characters feelings more easily, and the settings and ways of Maycomb. 'Great Expectations' is similar to ' To Kill a Mockingbird' it also has shows the events of a person from childhood to becoming an adult. The story follows Pip, who is the main character in this novel; it shows him as a child, being introduced to Miss Havisham, then later on as a main person in Miss Havisham's life. Pip and Scout help us to understand the feelings of other characters.. 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is set in the 1930s, in a town called Maycomb. It is a small town with a close-knit community, it has a deserted feel to it, however it is very tense, with a lot of families and rumours and gossip. Maycomb is also a claustrophobic place to be, with the identical houses, the grass on the sidewalks (unkempt), and also it is very dusty, hot and humid. The neighbours are known to be very suspicious and

  • Word count: 1260
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How does the kids' notion of Boo Radley develop from the beginning of the novel to the end

How does the kids' notion of Boo Radley develop from the beginning of the novel to the end? "Boo was about six and a half feet tall ... 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." At the beginning of the novel, Boo is to the children mainly what they have heard as neighborhood rumors and interpreted in their own imaginations. The Radley place is shrouded in an aura of mystery and creepiness for them; they are scared to even run past the house, nuts from the Radley trees are considered poison, and when Jem retrieves the tire from the Radley yard, it is considered an extremely brave feat. Thus at this stage, the only relationship the children have with Boo is that of fear and intrigue. But slowly, almost unconsciously, the children begin to want to know more about Boo Radley, and are not just satisfied by rumors and gossip, a sign of maturity. Initially, it is Dill who wants to lure Boo out of the house, so that he "can see what he looks like." This shows that the children are no longer willing to depend upon what they have heard, and want to find out for themselves what Boo is really like. They try sending notes to Boo, through a fishing pole, asking him to come out and have a talk; later they sneak into the Radleys' yard, hoping to look through a window and catch a glimpse

  • Word count: 936
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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