The last line in chapter 4 is a very important line in the story of Boo Radley. "I had heard another sound, a sound so low i could not have heard it from the sidewalk. Someone inside the house was laughing." (54) Boo Radley is a mystery, and that's what intrigues the children, but as Scout learns more about the truth of the mystery she becomes less interested and more terrified. Scout decides not to tell Jem and Dill about the laughing, by doing this Harper Lee shows that Scout cares a lot about what her brother thinks of her and does not want him to think of her as "Miss Priss." (62)
Although Scout does not want to tell anyone about the laughing she still wants to know if it was real, or just her fear playing with her. While talking to Miss Maudie, Scout asks “Miss Maudie, do you think Boo Radley is still alive?” (57) When Miss Maudie answers calmly and does not really have a personal interest in the matter, Harper Lee proves that Boo Radley is just a fascination for children and does not play a huge role in the community of adults.By having Boo Radley's character laugh in the end scene instead of mumbling or another noise Harper Lee strengthens the mystery with the fact that Boo Radley may have a little life still in him, he may not be completely crazy yet and is still interested in the outside world.
What do you think? Has Boo Radley not gone insane yet and just won't come out because of his reputation? Or has staying inside so long made him crazy? And will Scout ever tell Jem she doesn't want to be involved in his games anymore?
Boo has been trapped in his house ever since "he stabbed his father in the leg." So you would have to think that he has become crazy living in the house for multiple years. During the time of him being trapped in the house, Boo has been talked about around the neighborhood by multiple people. The comments people have made, have given Boo a very bad reputation. This would make him not want to come outside to face the people that would be negative around him.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your last question, I believe that Scout will eventually tell Jem that she doesn't want to be part of his games anymore because, as you said, Scout is now pretty terrified of Boo Radley. Before she heard the laugh,Boo was just a story, but after hearing him for herself, she realizes that this is not a fun little children's game anymore, it is real. Also, Jem and Dill seem to be coming up with more dangerous ideas of how to get Boo to come out each day. For example, when Dill and Jem try to give Boo the note, Lee shows you that Scout does not want to be there with them but they force her to help them, they don't give her a choice. Lastly, I would like to ask one sub-question to the one you asked. I would like you to predict what will finally push Scout over the edge and will make her tell Jem that she does not want to play these games anymore? Will it be a face to face encounter with Boo, or will it be something Atticus will do?
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ReplyDeleteScout keeps quiet because she does not want to be thought of as a "girl". Boo Radley has become a monster for the sake of child's game. Town gossip, and exaggerated stories have seemingly woven themselves around him, and now lie as rigid fact. The story of the Radley incident, lives with him; It is a part of his namesake and reputation. He cannot say "I am Boo Radley", without leaving interest, fright, or even more stories. His story, has become a spark of curiosity, dark and twisted, and pushed and pulled into a distorted fantasy. Had Boo not been droven to insanity back then, he should have by now. "'If he's not he should be by now. The things that happen to people we never really know." (51) However, I maintain the belief that Boo Radley is still sane -had he not been, he would have long done, credible work of a psychotic.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Boo was ever truly crazy, but the town should have drove him to it. The town is a character. Shunned and feared by the Maycomb people, he has no reason to come out. Boo Radley sits at home waiting for death. His life has long burdened him, and his reputation is no longer something that he will bother to help. Not being a part of the community fascinates the children -Boo is a thrill, almost like a campfire story. I don't believe Boo to be bad. I believe him to be an old man is weighed down by his past and doesn't care to show his face anymore. I believe that Boo has simply given up upon being understood. He's lost faith in Maycomb. Do you think Boo is truly bad? Do believe him to have gone crazy? And lastly, Do you think Boo's reputation will ever change? He is after all still a person.
In answer to Julie's last question, I do not think Boo Radley's reputation will ever change. Boo Radley has become something of a sad and scary story more than anything else. The Maycomb people have a system that Harper Lee makes clear shall not change for anyone. Even if he were to come out of the house, assuming he is alive, the people of Maycomb would not accept him or anything he says as the true new him. Through gossip, it would add to his horror story more than anything else, "That is a sad house." (61) Maycomb has its ways, and Boo's story is just one of the many ways Maycomb works. What do you think? Will Boo decide to come out or not? And if he does, what will he do?
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