Scout thinks that the man on the corner leaning against the wall is just an ordinary Maycomb townsperson. Once scout gets closer he describes the man as having "sickly white hands that had never seen the sun"(Lee 362). She also says "his cheeks where thin to hollowness, and his gray eyes were so colorless I thought he was blind"(Lee 362. the reason Harper Lee included these details to help foreshadow as to who the character might be. Harper Lee didn't want the reader to know that the man was Arthur Radley, she wanted the reader to infer upon whom the character may be. She gives the reader clues by describing the character as a thin, emaciated character who looks as if he had never seen the light of day. Throughout all of scouts life she had always wanted to know what he truly looked like, and throughout the whole book she wanted the reader to share scouts curiosity. By foreshadowing on details about Boo's appearance she helps build up to a climax in which Atticus will reveal that the man is Boo.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Marcus Patalano: Chapter 28- end Look closely at the description of Boo. Why has Harper Lee included these details and why here?
Why do you think Harper Lee included the in depth details about Boo Radley? Look closely at the description of Boo. Why has Harper Lee included these details and why here?
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I agree with your thoughts about why Harper Lee added the clues about Boo. I also think that she was trying to make the reader think hard, not of who he could be, but how quietly he creeps around, and secretly takes care of the children. This shows on page 95, it says, "Why, we did. We stayed-" "Then whose blanket is that?" This quote is from the night of Mrs. Maudie's fire, and out of nowhere a blanket appeared on Scout's shoulders. Boo Radley has secretly been taking care of the Finch children when they were in need.
ReplyDeleteIs Boo Radley blind?
Boo Radley is not blind and as well as caring for the children. If Boo Radley was blind he would not have been able to place the blanket over Scout's shoulders, as well as protect the children against Bob Ewell while staying as quiet as he was. The following quote proves that Boo Radley is not blind no matter what color his eyes are. "'Boo Radley. You were so busy looking at the fire you didn't know it when he put the blanket around you'" (Lee 96). Boo Radley also cares about the children. For example he cares enough go leaves his house and put a blanket across Scout's shoulders as well as looking out for them when they were walking home in the dark. "' Thank you for my children, Authur,'" (Lee 370). Boo Radley is a much different person than his reputation in Maycomb County makes him out to be. Boo, or Authur Radley cares about the Finches and only wants to be included.
ReplyDeleteTo add onto Marcus's post, I think that Harper Lee included this description of Boo Radley to show that he is a normal man, and not a monster like everyone in Maycomb thinks he is. Although Boo has extremely light skin and gray eyes, at first Scout thought he was just a normal country guy. Scout had thought to herself, "I wondered why Atticus had not brought a chair for the man in the corner, but Atticus knew the ways of country people far better then I," (Lee 356) This shows that Scout thought this man was an average guy that you find in Maycomb.
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