Thought to be a grotesque criminal whose outbursts stopped with no one, a recluse locked in his home basement, and a savage that dines on raw animals, Arthur “Boo” Radley was viewed as a monster by Scout and Jem, the main characters in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Along with the Finch children are the many townspeople of Maycomb County who spread rumors regarding Boo, tarnishing his character. However, he is more than what circulating stories and misconceptions put him out to be. Boo Radley is a misunderstood, isolated, yet an altruistic individual who allows the characters in the novel some innocence in a cruel society. From the beginning of the novel, the author Harper Lee presents Boo Radley as a misunderstood character. Scout, influenced…show more content… In the beginning, Scout points out that she has never seen Boo in person, for he never leaves his home (9). Scout’s knowledge of Boo Radley is based solely upon the assumptions and gossips of Maycomb due to the fact that she has never interacted with Boo. Further in the novel, Jem confesses, “... I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time… it’s because he wants to stay inside” (304). Seeing it from Boo Radley’s perspective, Jem comes to the realization of the corrupt society in Maycomb County. It becomes clear to him that the reason Boo stays locked up in his house is because it is safer to stay there instead of being judged and victimized on the streets of his hometown. Towards the end of To Kill A Mockingbird, Mr. Tate explains, “...Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an‘ draggin’ [Boo] with his shy ways into the limelight—to me, that’s a sin…” (369-370). Mr. Bob Ewell was just found dead under a tree near the Radley House; Atticus and Mr. Tate know exactly who is responsible for his death—Boo Radley. Mr. Tate points out that publicly announcing who killed Mr. Ewell would make Boo Radley uncomfortable due to his painfully shy character. The reader understands, just as Mr. Tate, that Boo is an isolated individual and such attention would not be the best for him. It is obvious…show more content… He is a victim of false gossips circulating Maycomb County, and for this reason, he chooses to seclude himself from the townspeople by staying inside his house all day. Although isolated from the world, Boo Radley shows his selfless character while making efforts to communicate with Jem and Scout and protecting them when they need his help. It is hard to find kindness in a town such as Maycomb County, where racism and stereotypes fill the conversations of the common people. Just like a mockingbird, Boo Radley is the nature of innocence, but is constantly oppressed by the stereotypes created by the people of Maycomb. The addition of the character Boo Radley in this novel helps readers perceive the idea that one should not base their judgement on rumors, but instead, judgements should be made based on
