How Is Arthur Radley Presented In To Kill A Mockingbird

Changing people's perception of who you are can be challenging, especially when you are troubled and reclusive. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the image of Arthur “Boo” Radley’s character develops from that of a monster to that of a caring, sensitive and brave human being. At the beginning of the book, Arthur, who is nicknamed Boo, is seen as a scary, cruel man, who all the kids in Maycomb county are terrified of. However, throughout the book Jem, Scout and Dill start seeing him differently as a result of some generous gestures as he watches them grow up. This leads towards the end of the story, to their understanding of him on a new level. First of all, Boo’s reputation in the early parts of the book, in the perception of most of

For example, after being rolled into the Radley’s front yard in a tire, Scout says that she heard something even through all the head-shaking, quelling of nausea and Jem yelling. The author writes: “I heard another sound, so low I could not have heard it from the sidewalk. Someone inside the house was laughing” (41). This is his first real appearance in the book, because Boo is laughing at Scout when she is rolled into his yard, and confirms that he was watching them. Throughout Part One of To Kill a Mockingbird , a suspected Boo Radley leaves little gifts to Scout and Jem. It’s in the knot hole of a tree where they find gifts such as chewing gum, a broken watch, a rusty medal and soap dolls. Scout says, “I patted out two small images in soap. One was the figure of a boy, the other wore a crude dress. (...) Jem looked from the girl-doll to me. The girl-doll wore bands. So did I” (60). This proves that Arthur “Boo” Radley has been watching them grow up and cares so much about them that hand carved their figures in soap bars. When Miss Maudie’s house caught fire one winter, Jem and Scout watched it burn down to ashes. Scout didn’t notice the blanket around her shoulders until after the fire was out, when Atticus asked where she had gotten the blanket. “Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.” Said Atticus “Thank

After witnessing how horrible their town can be when it comes to inequality, the kids have a new perception of why Boo may choose to stay inside, away from everyone. Jem said it himself, “I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time...it’s because he wants to stay inside” (227). Following Tom Robinson’s case, Jem starts realizing that staying out of the big mess is way easier then to be associated within it. Soon after, Scout and Jem get into deep danger with Bob Ewell the night of the pageant, however, Arthur heroically jumps in and saves them in time. He is able to stab Mr. Ewell and carry the injured Jem back to his home. When Jem is safe and sound, Arthur stays and meets Scout for the first time. The author writes: He was still holding my hand and he gave no sign of letting me go. “Will you take me home?” said Arthur (278). With Arthur holding Scouts hand and asking her to bring him home, it demonstrates that Boo has finally come out of his shell. Facing the kids, indicates that he is now accepting and accepted, through his bravery and