To Kill a Mockingbird
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BOO RADLEY
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Boo Radley just seemed like a grown-up kid who wanted to help the kids but was scared of the outside world.
Kressel wrote: "Not such a kid in the end."Yeah, I guess. He does seem adult. In the movie, he's just plain scary, lurking behind the door. I guess he wouldn't know how to act in real life since it's been so long since he's been out to other places.
Yeah and you could tell he was a good person at heart, just suppressed by what seems like a really horrible family. I think he's my favourite character, just because he has this overhanging presense in the book, like some sort of guardian angel
Crazybaked wrote: "Yeah and you could tell he was a good person at heart, just suppressed by what seems like a really horrible family. I think he's my favourite character, just because he has this overhanging presens..."agreed
I love Boo Radley! He's one of those characters that seem insignificant, but plays such a huge role. Robert Duvall was awesome in the movie!
Boo was the only thing I really liked about this book. Not only did he stand in the book like a murder but he also had a good side to him. If he really did murder his dad it was out of his own good for being locked in the house all the time. All of us probably would have done the same thing. I love him actually. He has a sweet side if you really paid attention to the book. He gave the kids something new until his brother put concrete into the hole in the tree. He protects the the kids which I just adore. I believe he is still a kid at heart but physically he is an adult. I do have to say he is my favorite character in the book. It was kind of the only reason why I bothered to finish the book. I wanted to know what happen to Boo.
I think the reason Arthur Radley appeals to us so much was that he was completely misunderstood by everyone in the town except a few people. He was innocent and shy, yet willing to stand with the courage of his convictions. In many ways, he is all of us.
Boo Radley was a prime example of how the mentally ill were treated many many years ago. Boo was obviously born with some mental handicap and the way the parents handled it, was to keep him locked up in the house so the "town" would not gossip. There were no programs for the mentally handicapped back then and they were thought to be less than human - outcasts.He was kind at heart and never really having the opportunity to be a child and play with other children, Boo fixated on Jem and Scout and desperately wanted to be their friend - remember the gifts he kept leaving for them?
So yes, he killed Mr. Ewell in self-defense to save Scout. He would have done anything for the children. Thus the Sherrif telling Atticus in so many words that Mr. Ewell fell on his own knife. He knew the town wouldn't understand. And in so many ways, Boo was more innocent than a child and it would serve no purpose to prosecute him.
Sorry to blather on. That's my two cents, and - my favorite book.
Crazybaked wrote: "Yeah and you could tell he was a good person at heart, just suppressed by what seems like a really horrible family. I think he's my favourite character, just because he has this overhanging presens..."he's my favorite character too... in fact, the whole book is a story about him: the beginning, the ending, even the book title refers to him.. so sad that most people put more attention on the side menu: black and white issues..
Taylor wrote: ". . .If he really did murder his dad it was out of his own good..."I didn't consider that possibility. I figured that since Miss Stephanie Crawford is the one who tells us that story, it must be false. And we know he is capable of killing, though killing Ewell to protect the kids was heroic.
Wendy wrote: "Tom Robinson was a Mockingbird too."I agree with this, but I believe that Boo Radley is more like a mockingbird than Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell because Boo shows true goodness by saving Scout and Jem even though he has been hurt by so many people in his life(killing the innocent mockingbird).
Kerri wrote: "I love Boo Radley! He's one of those characters that seem insignificant, but plays such a huge role. Robert Duvall was awesome in the movie!"I agree. Radley was an awesome character because he rose above the abuse that was done to him. In spite of how he had been treated by his parents and brother, he responded with kindness to Scout and her brother. He inspired understanding from the sheriff who protected him from well meaning townfolk. I have wondered who this character was based on or if Lee just made him up.
Boo Radley is one of my favorite characters in what is probably my all-time favorite book. Today, he would probably be diagnosed as autistic, that catch-all that is too often used when no one is quite sure what other label to use.I agree, Karen, that so much of his appeal is that he rose above his situation, showed his true kind and generous heart.
Knew a kid named Boo named after Boo Radley, however, the middle name was Jean (the French pronunciation of Jean-like Jean Luc Picard from Star Trek). Unfortunately, because I am from the South, everyone that saw it pronounce it like the clothes so it sounded like Blue jeans. Gotta love Southerners LOL!!
Elise (Sandy) wrote: "Knew a kid named Boo named after Boo Radley, however, the middle name was Jean (the French pronunciation of Jean-like Jean Luc Picard from Star Trek). Unfortunately, because I am from the South, ev..."Love that story.
Elise (Sandy) wrote: "Knew a kid named Boo named after Boo Radley, however, the middle name was Jean (the French pronunciation of Jean-like Jean Luc Picard from Star Trek). Unfortunately, because I am from the South, ev..."I love it!
I haven't read this book in years but I have a copy in my bookcase. All these posts make me want to find it and read it again. It is, I think, a great book.
Crazybaked wrote: "BOO RADLEY??? I have to admit that was a fantastically haunting storyline which was really captivating."
Yep! I agree
Karen wrote: "I haven't read this book in years but I have a copy in my bookcase. All these posts make me want to find it and read it again. It is, I think, a great book."I would've directed you to my review. But I'd rather you read it before reading any review at all! It's the best story ever narrated :)
Asra wrote: "Karen wrote: "I haven't read this book in years but I have a copy in my bookcase. All these posts make me want to find it and read it again. It is, I think, a great book."I would've directed y..."
I actually just finished re-reading it a couple of days ago. It is every bit as good as I remembered.
Karen wrote:I actually just finished re-reading it a couple of days ago. It is every bit as good as I remembered.":)
Boo Radley was one of my favorite characters for the mere fact that he could not have been prejudice because he never knew what was going on in the outside world; other than when he gave the kids the presents. I didn't really like his family though.
Boo Radley was Atticus' reason for always telling Scout and Jim don't judge a person until you walk in their shoes
John wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Tom Robinson was a Mockingbird too."I agree with this, but I believe that Boo Radley is more like a mockingbird than Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell because Boo shows true goodness..."
I think Ms. Lee intends for us to see Tom Robinson as a mockingbird figure, as well. The editorial that B.B. Underwood writes, denouncing Tom's shooting, references Atticus's words when he had explained to the children why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. Loosely quoted... (don't have the book in front of me) -- Mr. Underwood figured it was a sin to kill a cripple, be they standing sitting or running--something along those lines. Couple that with all the good deeds he'd done for Mayella and the fact that he'd never done her harm? I see him as a mockinbird figure too.
Boo Radley is a metaphor... as is the mad dog which comes to town, which Atticus kills. One is the madness which slowly engulfs all of us, if we let it (racism) and the other, the hidden guardian angel who is seen as a devil.
This is my favorite book, and Boo Radleys is one of my favorite characters. He enunciates the message that diffrent is not synonymous with evil and how a momentary change of "shoes" can impact your relationships forever.
Wendy wrote: "Boo Radley was a prime example of how the mentally ill were treated many many years ago. Boo was obviously born with some mental handicap and the way the parents handled it, was to keep him locked..."Good blathering. I enjoyed those comments. Boo would be a good book club discussion topic all on his own. The theme of prejudice certainly touches on Boo's treatment.
Katniss990 wrote: "Yeah, I guess. He does seem adult. In the movie, he's just plain scary, lurking behind the door. I guess he wouldn't know how to act in real life since it's been so long since he's been out to other places".Not being exposed to an unfamiliar environment can make people hold back. Being completely unaware of how our surrounding operates on a daily routine can be scary. Boo Radley was a brave person that against all the odds was willing to do what he did.
scout said hey boo and held her hand outto him like as to bring him in to the light
of love and peace of her embrace like a angel and invite him to her fathers house and scout would say
thank you for my children
Jamie wrote: "scout said hey boo and held her hand outto him like as to bring him in to the light
of love and peace of her embrace like a angel and invite him to her fathers house and scout would say
thank ..."
iam a author too of two childrens booksi did the pictures too uncle jamies super helmet
show and jamie bright and happy walk
Wendy wrote: "Boo Radley was a prime example of how the mentally ill were treated many many years ago. Boo was obviously born with some mental handicap and the way the parents handled it, was to keep him locked..."I loved this book and I can't wait to reread it. Boo Radley was so sweet but so mysterious which made him kind of scary when the story started out. And it's sad but I agree that Boo was probably locked up because of a handicap.
I love Boo Radley. I love that we don't completely understand him or even get the chance too. I thought I had him figured out; when the book begins he's almost like a legend, we don't even know if he's there or not; but as the story progresses and he starts to leave things in the tree I think we, as readers, are taking baby steps towards realising there is more to his character than we first thought. Boo saves Jem and Scout and I think this shows his true character. Even social recluses who are inept to socialising can be the most heroic of characters. In my opinion, when he needs Scout to hold his hand when he walks home we sort of become certain that there is something not quite right with him and this makes Boo even more of a sympathetic character and, as Lee does constantly though out the novel, illustrates the injustices to many Americans at this time. The mentally ill, the poor, African Americans etc. Over all, I believe Boo to be an amazing character with his mysterious air and his childish mannerisms, I think he is a huge credit to the book.
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I have to admit that was a fantastically haunting storyline which was really captivating.