Boo Radley
Introduction
Metaphor of mockingbird – tolerance and understanding
Develops Boo from ‘malevolent phantom’ to neighbour who saves their lives
Condemning Boo is seen as morally wrong – helping the innocent
Prejudice
From the outset, Boo receives condemnation from the community of Maycomb as a whole. The
Radley family are viewed as strange outsiders as they don’t adhere to the traditions of the
community. This reveals the small-town mentality and divisions from prejudice that exist in
Maycomb. Harper Lee uses the family to broaden the impact of segregation and to show how it
impacts on all characters who do not fit into the expected pattern of society, not just those of
different race.
‘misery’, ‘illness’ and ‘cold weather’ - The Radleys remain isolated, and the house is described as
an austere, unwelcoming place, reinforcing the unfriendliness associated with them. Harper Lee
creates a sense of fear and superstition which is heightened by the children’s fantasises about Boo.
‘When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them.’ The
people in Maycomb have created a malevolent and threatening image for Boo - pass the blame for
all of their shortcomings on Boo as they don’t view him as a real person. The symbolism of flowers -
God’s beauty which runs throughout the book- further reinforces that Boo is an evil character who
is intend on destroying the good in the world through malicious and selfish acts.
‘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.’ - imagery marks Boo as a terrifying character.
Even the children judge him as lesser regarding hyperbolic description which is reminiscent of
Halloween spectres and ghouls. This child-like and exaggerated fear shows the children’s
immaturity and lack of understanding and compassion.
‘Boo bit it off one night when he couldn’t find any cats and squirrels to eat’ The children’s
judgement and gossip is discriminatory and could be damaging towards Boo, but they are too
young to see this.
The way in which Boo and his family are judged so vehemently by the seemingly religious
community is another example of religious bigotry. Going to church is Maycomb’s ‘principal
recreation’ but, contradictorily, it is not Christian at all for them to be so damning and cruel. All
men are equal in God’s eyes, but the people treat him in a disgusting manner with the
discriminatory rumours they spread. Mr Radley himself takes the ‘word of God as his only law’ but
his treatment of Boo makes him just as guilty of bigotry and prejudice as everyone else. Harper
Lee’s attitude is one of forgiveness and equality to everyone.
Alienation
Due to his troubled past and the actions of his family, Boo is alienated from the community. Mr
Radley’s way of keeping his son out of trouble is to keep him away from the outside world, and Boo
is emotionally damaged by this cruel act.
‘The shutters and doors of the Radley house were closed on Sundays, another thing alien to
Maycomb’s ways.’ People speculate about the Radleys because they are different. Lee criticises this
way of acting. The use of the adjective ‘alien’ sets the Radleys apart, suggests a lack of
comprehension for their ways.
‘meanest man that ever lived’ - his despicable nature is emphasised by the fact that it was rare for
a black woman to pass judgement on white people, but she feels so passionate about it because, as
a race, she understands how it feels to be marginalised and judged by a prejudiced society. She has
suffered prejudice; she has to attend a different church and initially is not allowed by Aunt
Alexandra to bake for the Missionary Circle - those who appear different are marginalised and
Introduction
Metaphor of mockingbird – tolerance and understanding
Develops Boo from ‘malevolent phantom’ to neighbour who saves their lives
Condemning Boo is seen as morally wrong – helping the innocent
Prejudice
From the outset, Boo receives condemnation from the community of Maycomb as a whole. The
Radley family are viewed as strange outsiders as they don’t adhere to the traditions of the
community. This reveals the small-town mentality and divisions from prejudice that exist in
Maycomb. Harper Lee uses the family to broaden the impact of segregation and to show how it
impacts on all characters who do not fit into the expected pattern of society, not just those of
different race.
‘misery’, ‘illness’ and ‘cold weather’ - The Radleys remain isolated, and the house is described as
an austere, unwelcoming place, reinforcing the unfriendliness associated with them. Harper Lee
creates a sense of fear and superstition which is heightened by the children’s fantasises about Boo.
‘When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them.’ The
people in Maycomb have created a malevolent and threatening image for Boo - pass the blame for
all of their shortcomings on Boo as they don’t view him as a real person. The symbolism of flowers -
God’s beauty which runs throughout the book- further reinforces that Boo is an evil character who
is intend on destroying the good in the world through malicious and selfish acts.
‘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.’ - imagery marks Boo as a terrifying character.
Even the children judge him as lesser regarding hyperbolic description which is reminiscent of
Halloween spectres and ghouls. This child-like and exaggerated fear shows the children’s
immaturity and lack of understanding and compassion.
‘Boo bit it off one night when he couldn’t find any cats and squirrels to eat’ The children’s
judgement and gossip is discriminatory and could be damaging towards Boo, but they are too
young to see this.
The way in which Boo and his family are judged so vehemently by the seemingly religious
community is another example of religious bigotry. Going to church is Maycomb’s ‘principal
recreation’ but, contradictorily, it is not Christian at all for them to be so damning and cruel. All
men are equal in God’s eyes, but the people treat him in a disgusting manner with the
discriminatory rumours they spread. Mr Radley himself takes the ‘word of God as his only law’ but
his treatment of Boo makes him just as guilty of bigotry and prejudice as everyone else. Harper
Lee’s attitude is one of forgiveness and equality to everyone.
Alienation
Due to his troubled past and the actions of his family, Boo is alienated from the community. Mr
Radley’s way of keeping his son out of trouble is to keep him away from the outside world, and Boo
is emotionally damaged by this cruel act.
‘The shutters and doors of the Radley house were closed on Sundays, another thing alien to
Maycomb’s ways.’ People speculate about the Radleys because they are different. Lee criticises this
way of acting. The use of the adjective ‘alien’ sets the Radleys apart, suggests a lack of
comprehension for their ways.
‘meanest man that ever lived’ - his despicable nature is emphasised by the fact that it was rare for
a black woman to pass judgement on white people, but she feels so passionate about it because, as
a race, she understands how it feels to be marginalised and judged by a prejudiced society. She has
suffered prejudice; she has to attend a different church and initially is not allowed by Aunt
Alexandra to bake for the Missionary Circle - those who appear different are marginalised and
