Changing Perceptions of Boo Radley

At the beginning of To Kill a Mocking Bird Boo is made out to look like a scary character, one that everyone is to fear. In the next few chapters strange occurrence's start happening, such as gum and other small gifts being put in a tree for Jem and Scout to find, and Jem's pants mysteriously being stitched up and folded back where he left them "When I went back, they were folded across the fence...like they were expectin' me." "They'd been sewed up. Not like a lady sewed 'em, like something I'd try to do. All crooked." -Jem. Since these occurrences can be traced back to Boo Radley, I think it shows that he's more kind than the people of Maycomb make him out to be. He helped Jem when he could have been in huge trouble, he has been watching Jem and Scout and it seems that he wants to do something for them, to help them or at least be kind, possibly he's hoping they will figure out it's been him all along. It seems that Boo is friendly, but is treated otherwise just because of his past, what he could not control, like how his parents treated him.

The conversation between Scout and Miss Maudie made me curious, because it shows that Miss Maudie knows something that she isn't letting out. It also shows that she respects Boo, because she doesn't believe any of the rumors spread around and she won't be part of all that gossip, it helps with the theory that maybe Boo isn't as bad as he seems. Also Atticus' reastion when he found Dill, Jem and Scout playing the Boo Radley game, shows that he doesn't believe all of the rumors either. He didn't want the kids to be part of the rumors, becuase Boo has feelings just like any other human and he doesn't need that from everyone.

Boo Radley.

In To Kill a Mocking Bird the Character Boo Radley seems to be a very troubled man. He stayed in his parents house for fifteen years, in a basement, then back to the house. He spent almost all of his life isolated from any social interactions. I think that it would be hard for anyone under those circumstances to keep sane. However, I think that the kids of Maycomb took his insanity and brought it to a new level, just to scare each other. I do not doubt that he stabbed his father, or many of the alleged crimes, but I doubt when he breathes he freezes things, that is literally impossible. "There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had were yellow and rotten; his eyes popped, and he drooled most of the time," (Pg. 13) This also makes him seem insane, as most insane people can't take care of themselves. Also, if you haven't seen a person in around twenty years because they are allegedly insane, and suddenly they show up looking like that, rumors are bound to come about.

I think I am a mix between Dill and Jem. I am very curious like Dill, how he wants to see what Boo looks like etc. when most people just want to avoid him. I also am like Jem because I am daring and I would touch Boo's house too if I was told to, just for fun. I like doing things like that just for the thrill. I think scary/thrilling situations are the most fun, like roller coaster rides.

Miss Grace Face....English.

I think the best thing so far about English class was learning about characterization and things like onomatopoeia's, and looking for examples of it. I had forgetten most of it over the summer and it was cool to remember certain things, and learn new ones. My favorite is similes and metaphors. They can be really useful, and even beautiful. Also onomatopoeia's because they can make writing really fun, and helps when there's no word that describes a sound.