How Does Boo Radley Influence Scout

Boo Radley has influenced Scout and Jem very much throughout the story, whether we realize it or not. Boo's relationship with the children changes from the beginning, when they listen to rumors and his “monstrous ways”, when he helps them throughout the book, and his major parental role. In the beginning of the book, Arthur Radley is a story. No one really knows him fully. They know some of his back story, but besides that, all they have are rumors. Scout and Jem knew him as a ferocious beast: a monster. According to Scout, Boo is described as “...about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that's why his hands were bloodstained—if you ate an animal raw, you could never wash the blood off. There was a long jagged scar that ran across his face; what teeth he had …show more content…
When reading the book, we realize that Boo had been there for the children throughout the story, kind of like a parent would. He has taught the children a lot about learning to accept others, especially if they are different from people they normally see. At first, they think Boo is a monster, who hurts his own family for fun. This makes them curious to know a lot more about him, they even want to see him. They want to know how this strange person lives, and what he is like. They let all the rumors about him, control their thoughts and influence their opinions. When Scout finally sees Boo and understands the savior he really is, she accepts him fully. She learns that just because someone is strange or different, they can still be a really great person. I think it is really significant for Scout to finally see Boo. This is a great growing up moment for Scout. It is kind of like the ending of a long adventure. She learns so much from it. Scout finally gets to understand how to accept all people, and the great things anyone can do, no matter who they are. She gets closure the closure she needs to grow