Oakville Reads discussion
To Kill a Mockingbird
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Question #4: Whose story is it?
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This is a tremendous question that has got me thinking! I think I have to agree with Quindlen about a certain disconnect with Atticus: it's true, I also did not really care too much about him.For me, this story belongs to Scout...I see it as her coming-of-age story and, to a certain extent, it's the story of two other sympathetic heroes who have some kind of powerful and wonderful influence on her: Boo Radley (for managing to survive the unimaginable horrors of his father's punishing hand, and somehow still be good) and Dill (a fatherless boy who, despite his tough and bold exterior, is incredibly vulnerable). I loved all three of these characters.
I hope that makes sense! :)
The story belongs to Scout, of course, and Atticus is one of the significant influencers in her life. But, more so, the real story belongs to Jean Louise and her (adult)reflections on life as a kid growing up in the south. I see it as a memoir, and all the experiences, good and evil, which encompass that genre. And, Jean Louise is a stand-in for author Harper Lee, is she not? That's how I see it. Such an engaging story she has to tell!
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It's interesting, Sylvia, that you say Jean Louise is a stand-in for Harper Lee. I'm not sure if she has ever said that she was writing about her own childhood. I do know Dill was based on her childhood friend, Truman Capote. In the book, Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of "To Kill a Mockingbird", Lee is quoted as saying, "You know the character Boo Radley? ... Well if you know Boo, then you understand why I wouldn't be doing an interview, because I am really Boo." (p. 41). Now, isn't that an interesting thought?
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I'd say it belongs to Scout as well. Her father of course is a large part of the story, as are other adults and other kids, but that makes sense considering the role these other characters have in their life. Even people like Aunt Alexandra, whom she doesn't seem to really like, are a big part of her story.
Susan wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "The story belongs to Scout, of course, and Atticus is one of the significant influencers in her life. But, more so, the real story belongs to Jean Louise and her (adult)reflections o..."Susan, all of what you cited is so interesting! I sort of knew about Lee's friendship with Capote, but had kind of forgotten about it in the reading of the story. But now, based on what the author has said, I feel totally validated in my sympathetic hero theory! So, thank you, my friend, for pointing out this link!
The Two Boos-When Lee says she is Boo, she means that she is like the first one-symbolic of the shy 'keep to oneself' person, a classic introvert. Therein, no wish for interviews. Although I do believe she has the soul of Scout, as well.
But there is another Boo that lives in the novel-a squirrel & cat-eating bloody-hand stained drooling monster.
This Boo is creation of folk-lore and gossip stemming from a gross misunderstanding of the quiet, first Boo.
Sometimes when a person has been unjustly maligned, my friend & I use a short-cut in language and say that someone has turned that misunderstood person into a 'Boo Radley.'
Harper Lee has created some great characters as models of types. Now, hate to be shallow, but where's my Atticus? Still waiting...or maybe have been distracted by Gregory Peck's film depiction of him , haha. Incidentally have not yet read Lee's 'Watchman' book to influence me in a different direction (although I have it at home-couldn't get 'into' it very far) Will have to get back to it soon.
Sylvia wrote: "The Two Boos-When Lee says she is Boo, she means that she is like the first one-symbolic of the shy 'keep to oneself' person, a classic introvert. Therein, no wish for interviews. Although I do b..."
Interesting, Sylvia. In my reading, I never gave much weight to the mythological Boo. I was only affected by the real, suffering Boo. Was he a "classic introvert"? I saw him more as a terrified and abused childlike figure.
Lots to think about on this thread. Atticus (as Gregory Peck portrayed him) was a remarkable man, especially in his closing argument defending Tom Robinson.
A friend was telling me that a young couple she knows named their first son Atticus because they admired him so much. That I found rather amazing, although I did find his character inspiring at a time when the South truly needed inspiration. (This young couple are now expecting another child and we were speculating what they would name the baby if it's a girl. Scout? Jean Louise? :-)
I felt a profound sympathy for Boo. Having grown up in a small town, I know it can be hard for people who are different and, although he was no different than other young men until his incarceration, what happened after was beyond cruel, the path to madness.
But Scout was my hero, whether she was fictitious or the child Harper Lee had wished to be. I think she totally owned the book.
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When Lee says she is Boo, she means that she is like the first one-symbolic of the shy 'keep to oneself' person, a classic introvert. Therein, no wish for interviews. ..."
It is so interesting that there is this question of the two Boos - as a teen, I definitely felt that there were two Boos, because my first impression of Boo was very similar to Scout's - he seemed frightening and scary and 'other.' But in my second reading of the novel, as an adult, there was definitely only one Boo - I immediately realized that he must simply be an isolated and tormented human being, and there was no question of a mythological Boo - only children too young to understand how he had become the way he was.
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Atticus (as Gregory Peck portrayed him) was a remarkable man, especially in his closing argument defending Tom Robinson.
A friend was telling me that a young ..."
Maureen, I love that you brought up the couple you know who named their child Atticus! I read this article when it came out in the summer, and apparently the name is quite popular right now - or was, before the release of To Set a Watchman. http://www.people.com/article/atticus...
I believe actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named one of their three daughters ( now quite grown) Scout. In interviews, they claimed they chose the name from -guess where?
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That makes sense. Now I really like their name choice! Thanks, Sylvia.
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When Lee says she is Boo, she means that she is like the first one-symbolic of the shy 'keep to oneself' person, a classic introvert. Therein, no wish for interviews. Although I do b..."
Sylvia, I didn't allow Watchman to change my view of Atticus. For one thing, I think Harper Lee took the best of Atticus and put it in Mockingbird. For another, Atticus' brother gives a very valid defense of him towards the end of Watchman. Don't be worried about reading it.
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Susan wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "I believe actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore named one of their three daughters ( now quite grown) Scout. In interviews, they claimed they chose the name from -guess where?"That mak..."
Pleasure, Susan. Digging into celebrity 'archives'- they've all moved on long since, but still have their SCOUT!
Susan wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "The Two Boos-When Lee says she is Boo, she means that she is like the first one-symbolic of the shy 'keep to oneself' person, a classic introvert. Therein, no wish for interviews. ..."
Good to know, Susan. I will keep this in mind when I continue the reading. Thanks!
Susan wrote: "Our original question has turned into such an interesting discussion about Boo Radley! Like Maureen, I felt profound sympathy for Boo. Like Emily, I thought there was only one Boo. He seemed to be..."When Scout shows her natural acceptance of Boo, that's where the reader should breathe a sigh of relief that the kids have moved well beyond 'the monster Boo' and see him as a lonely, but kind person. When I referred to the two Boos, I meant that some people in society (outside the novel) will create such characters as the '2nd Boo' to hurt another's reputation. Maybe that's too heavy an issue here, but that's what I was trying to explain. As adults, we know Boo in the novel for who he really is - a sweet, misunderstood shy person. Make any sense?
I suppose that there is no right or wrong here in our interpretations of Boo Radley. I saw him as meek and timid out of fear and oppression, rather than as some kind of natural personality trait (i.e., shy or introverted). I also understood the name "Boo" as a name given to him by the town's children, because in their eyes he behaved a bit like a ghost, never being seen or only coming out of his house at night. I didn't really see it as others wanting to hurt his reputation, just reacting to it in an immature way, as children are wont to do.
Oakville Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of "To Kill a Mockingbird" (other topics)Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of "To Kill a Mockingbird" (other topics)
Excerpted from Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of Fifty Years of "To Kill a Mockingbird", p. 160.
For you, to whom does the story belong: Scout or Atticus? Why do you feel that way?