Jean Louise “Scout” Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee from the beginning of the novel sees the local solitary, Arthur “Boo” Radley, as a threat and insane, running past the Radley Place each day on the way from school. All her neighbors shared that Boo was a former criminal, stalker, and a threat to all Negroes, causing Scout to have the preconceived idea that Boo was a psychopath. However, in chapter 27, Scout walks by the Radley’s house from school and she expresses a different perspective on Boo, a moment that displays Scout’s transformation in character through imagery, characterization, and the story’s first person point of view.
Scout begins the passage describing the Radley’s house saying, “The Radley Place ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting” (Lee 242). In the passage Lee utilizes imagery to reveal Scout’s change in character, describing the …show more content…
She now also seems to focus on the friendliness and good Boo displayed earlier rather than the unsubstantiated claims. Scout imagines herself encountering Boo, in a calm environment, as Boo is sitting in the Finch’s swing. “‘Hidy do, Mr. Arthur,’ I would say as if I had said it every afternoon of my life. ‘Evening, Jean Louise,’ he would say, as if he had said it every afternoon of my life, ‘right spell we’re having, isn’t it?’ ‘ Yes sir, right pretty,’ I would say and go on” (Lee 242). The first person point of view allows for the reader to analyze Scout’s direct thoughts and feelings in given situations. In this scenario, it enables us to also see her vision of Arthur as they had a friendly conversation, once again showing that Scout is no longer concerned over the rumors surrounding Boo. By not necessarily believing all the gossip regarding people and coming to her own conclusions, Scout shows signs of independence and growing
Scout begins the passage describing the Radley’s house saying, “The Radley Place ceased to terrify me, but it was no less gloomy, no less chilly under its great oaks, and no less uninviting” (Lee 242). In the passage Lee utilizes imagery to reveal Scout’s change in character, describing the …show more content…
She now also seems to focus on the friendliness and good Boo displayed earlier rather than the unsubstantiated claims. Scout imagines herself encountering Boo, in a calm environment, as Boo is sitting in the Finch’s swing. “‘Hidy do, Mr. Arthur,’ I would say as if I had said it every afternoon of my life. ‘Evening, Jean Louise,’ he would say, as if he had said it every afternoon of my life, ‘right spell we’re having, isn’t it?’ ‘ Yes sir, right pretty,’ I would say and go on” (Lee 242). The first person point of view allows for the reader to analyze Scout’s direct thoughts and feelings in given situations. In this scenario, it enables us to also see her vision of Arthur as they had a friendly conversation, once again showing that Scout is no longer concerned over the rumors surrounding Boo. By not necessarily believing all the gossip regarding people and coming to her own conclusions, Scout shows signs of independence and growing