Was Boo Radley A Recluse In To Kill A Mockingbird

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The Mockingbird, a small, delicate creature which causes no harm and only tries to please listeners with its’ beautiful music that it pours it’s heart into. By being a recluse and not taking part in any town social events, Arthur “Boo” Radley, is the mockingbird of the book. Others may disagree and state that, “Clearly Tom Robinson is the mockingbird”, which is understandable due to the fact that he is the focal point of the book. Although Boo Radley has many qualities that also make him eligible to take the role of the harmless creature. Stories of murder and abuse fill the minds of both Jem and Scout as they try to figure the reason Boo stays within the confined walls of his gloomy home. But what was the real reason Boo was such a recluse man, staying away from others? Through Scout, Lee infers that Boo hid because of the injustice occurring within the Maycomb that many felt was justified by color. “I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time… it’s …show more content…

So why is it that he decided to emerge from his darkness when Jem and Scout tumble onto Danger’s doorstep? Once more, Scout helps show us the reason; “Autumn again, and Boo’s children needed him.”(374). From this line we can infer that Boo Radley felt a connection with the kids. Both Jem and Scout had taken such interest with Boo and his strange way and untold story, they often tried to get him to come out so that their imagination would be calmed. Although the two were often foolish, Boo never once tried to harm them in any way, but only showed kindness by hiding treats within the trunk of the tree that stood in front of his house. He may have even sewn Jem’s trousers when torn and left at his back fence while escaping the barrel of Mr. Radley’s rifle. Boo felt a sense of responsibility to the kids as they were the only ones that took such interest in