Comparing The Suicide Tree In To Kill A Mockingbird And A Separate Peace

In “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles, both novels introduce a tree as a significant element. Boo Radley’s tree in To Kill a Mockingbird represents communication among Boo, Jem and Scout. Meanwhile in A Separate Peace, the “suicide tree” represents jealousy and growth. Likewise, the tree in both stories ultimately draw too much concern to other characters causing the interactions with the trees to be put to an end. In To Kill a Mockingbird Nathan Radley seems to dislike the communication between Boo and the kids so he fills the tree hole with cement. In A Separate Peace, the suicide tree was avoided ever since the day Finny took a hard, career ending fall. Despite the fact the trees represent different

Day after day of walking by the tree in Boo’s front yard after school, Jem and Scout are most excited to see what treasuries were thoughtfully placed inside the knothole by Boo. Boo is trying to create a special relationship with the kids by showing how much he cares for them. When Scout looks back at the experiences her and Jem had with the tree she states, “Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and a chain, a pair of good luck pennies, and our lives.” (Lee 320) Both kids recognize Boo’s eagerness to connect with both Jem and Scout by placing such meaningful items for them to have. They know Boo has always watched over them and was always looking to put a smile on their faces without physically communicating with them. On the other hand, the “suicide tree” in A Separate Peace represents the complete opposite which is empathy towards another character. Unlike Boo’s tree, this tree represents the jealousy the narrator Gene

When Boo’s brother Nathan filled the tree hole with cement the communication was cut short because nothing could no longer be placed inside. The coincidence though, is that he did this the day after Jem and Scout had wrote a letter to Boo thanking him. The text states, “Mr. Radley, ah-did you put cement in that hole in that tree down yonder? Yes I filled it up. Why’d you do it sir? Trees dying.” (Lee 70) One can assume it is not for that reason, because it sounds pretty made up and foolish. He did it so the communication between Boo and the kids could be concluded. From then on, the tree was no longer useful, therefore avoided. Similarly, after Finny had fell from the tree, the “Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session” never met again. This is probably because Finny is physically incapable of doing any athletic activities - letting alone climbing and jumping of the tree, The text states, “Sports are finished for him, after an accident like that. Of course.” (Knowles 63) Without Finny, Gene will never have the courage to continue the group alone. Both Gene and Finny did everything together, and without Finny by his side to lead the group; the task is