Chapters 28-31: Look closely at the description of Boo. Why has Harper Lee included these details and why here? (Charlotte)
Towards the end of To Kill A Mockingbird, Boo Radley is finally revealed to the readers. Harper Lee adds some oddly specific details about Boos' appearance that seems to fit his character. For example, when describing Boo on page 310, it says, "They were white hands, sickly white hands that had never seen the sun, so white they stood out garishly against the dull creme wall in the dull light if Jem's room." (Lee, 310) This would seem to fit Boos' character because it has been stated in the book that almost none of the townsfolk had ever seen Boo and he was always shut up in his house. His physical traits do seem to apply to what people might think of his personality, but it doesn't match at all. Most of the people who live in Maycomb believe that Boo is a horrendous man who stabbed his mother in the meg as a child and eats animals at night and spies on the neighborhood women at night. But in reality, Boo is a kind, generous, person, who gives Jem and Scout special tokens and saves their lives. He is very socially awkward because he has been shut up in his house all of his adult life, but he is very kind and deeply cares about Scout and Jem, even if he has only briefly met them.
I agree that what Harper Lee had said about Boo's appearance matches his personality. "They were white hands, sickly white hands that had never seen the sun, so white they stood out garishly against the dull creme wall in the dull light if Jem's room." (Lee, 310) Just like what Charlotte said Boo has never really been seen to anyone because he never comes out. That would make sense why his hands are so pale. I also thing Harper Lee included this description is because the kids and everyone has been so interested in what Boo looks like and what he is like. This is a rare moment when they finally see Boo. Boo presence really surprised people and that is represented when it says "His lips parted into a timid smile, and our neighbor's image blurred with my sudden tears. 'Hey, Boo,' I said."(Lee 310) This is the first time Boo was really seen so it was very surprising which caused many emotions.
ReplyDeleteThis scene in the book represents boo's character and how he is as a person. When Harper Lee is describing Boo it shows how he hid away. "They were white hands, sickly white hands that had never seen the sun, so white they stood garishly against the dull creme wall in the dull light in Jem's room" (Lee, 310). This quote represents that Boo has been away from people his whole life, but is not the monster he is sought out to be. (Daisy)
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