The importance of Boo Radley in the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

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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