Jem's comment at the beginning of chapter 6 is very important to the children's relationship with the Radley family. In the conversation that follows this statement, Scout and Jem discus the Radleys like they were supernatural abilities. Jem timidly says, "Like someone was reading my mind... like someone could tell what I was gonna do. Can't anybody tell what I'm gonna do lest they know me, can they Scout?"(78) They have always been afraid of the Radleys, but the events of that night that they went to the Radley house sealed it. The shadow on the porch would have been terrifying, and thinking you had narrowly been missed by a shot gun shot. Jem would have been the most affected by what happened, because he became stuck under the fence of the Radley's property, not knowing if the owner of the gun was coming after him or not. As a writer, Harper Lee made an excellent decision putting in this part of the story. It really solidifies both the curiosity and fear the children feel around the Radleys, as well at the air of mystery the reader feels when it is mentioned. It makes the reader think about the why the Radleys act the way they do.
Do you think that the children will continue to go to and from the Radley house, or if they are too scared to do so anymore? Why do you think that Jem was reluctant to tell Scout at first? Do you think that Atticus will find out that they caused the commotion that evening?
I agree that the conversation further encourages the idea of the Radleys being some sort of superhuman. I believe that the children will continue to go to the Radley house because being of such a young age will mean that they are overly curious. All of the mystery and the thrill will just add fuel to the flame of the curiosity. An appropriate phrase to go along with this would be "curiosity killed the cat."
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Boo Radley will make an even more violet appearance later in the novel?
I also agree that they will still continue to investigate the Radley house. Instead of the children being curiouse and scared they might just want to see what type of person Boo Radley really is. He fixed Jem's pants which is a kind gesture and Scout and Jem should take it that way. I believe Boo Radley is not a violent person and his appearances will be increasingly kinder and more obvious that he wants to join society again. In the end when I believe Boo Radley will show himself, Jem and Scout will help his return to be forgiving and welcome.
ReplyDeleteIf so what do you think the reaction will be of the Maycomb people if Boo Radley returns.
Ross, your last two sentences are exactly what I was thinking. In fact I think that Boo Radley is the one who is leaving the items in the tree knot. I believe Mr. Radley found out that Boo Radley was leaving things there and covered it with cement. Atticus said that he didn't think the tree was dying which was the reason given by Mr. Radley that the cement was placed there.
DeleteThe children will continue going to the Radleys' house because that seems to be the main conflict in the book. Even from the second paragraph it is clear that angering the Radleys' will cause trouble. In Scout's reflection on Jem's accident yet to come Jem believes "It began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out(Pg. 3)." I think that the children will keep pestering the Radley family until they finally decide enough is enough and come out. However, it won't be the pleasant gathering that the children are expecting.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think the Radley's will react if the children do not leave them alone?
After getting his pants back, and noticing that someone had sewn it, this had definitely scared Jem. "Jem stayed moody and silent for a week." (77)However, this will not stop his and Scout's curiosity from trying to get a look at Boo Radley. He was not scared the first time when he was with Dill and Scout, and got stuck and almost got shot.Then going to the Radley's the second time to get his pants back, shows he's not afraid of pursuing in his goal which is getting Boo Radley to come out of his house.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ross on how near the end, Boo Radley will reveal himself to the society again, and because of all the kind gestures he had given to Scout and Jem, they will accept him. Many of the Maycomb people will be shocked and surprised that finally after all these years Boo Radley has finally come out of his house, this will definitely spark gossip and things will quickly go back to the way they were treated years ago, because of how the Radleys are aliens to the Maycomb's ways. What do you think will happen when Boo Radley comes out of his house? Will he be socially accepted or stand out like he did years ago? And will he be friends with Scout and Jem in the end?