Tuesday, June 7, 2016

How do Jem and Scout treat the Radleys with compassion in To Kill a Mockingbird?

In chapter one, Boo Radley's father becomes ill on his deathbed and Atticus tells his children to be quiet while playing outdoors. He says that he gave Calpurnia permission to discipline them if they were caught playing too loudly for Mr. Radley's comfort. Scout says, "He took his time about it," and that she and Jem were as quiet as possible because they "crept around the yard for days" (12). Even though the children were threatened with a beating if they played loudly, they were still compassionate enough to respect the last days of a man's life.

In chapter 8, Jem finally gets the courage to put all the pieces of the Boo Radley puzzle together and tells his father about what he's learned. Jem used to think that Boo Radley's existence was deadly, but after a few experiences with Boo showing compassion towards Jem, he tells Atticus the following:



". . . Atticus, I swear to God he ain't ever harmed us, he ain't ever hurt us, he coulda cut my throat from ear to ear that night but he tried to mend my pants instead. . . he ain't ever hurt us, Atticus--" (72).



This scene shows Jem sticking up for Boo because he thinks that Atticus might be mad for giving Scout a blanket during the house fire that night. Atticus wouldn't do that because he doesn't judge Boo Radley like most of Maycomb does, but it is very sweet for Jem to defend Boo the way he does.


Finally, Scout shows compassion to Boo Radley on the night that he saves her and her brother from Bob Ewell's attack. She speaks to him very sweetly and politely; she shows him where to sit; and, she  in front of her father and Sheriff Tate. In chapter 31, Scout is very attentive to her guest and what he wants to do.



"Once more, he got to his feet. He turned to me and nodded toward the front door. 'You'd like to say good night to Jem, wouldn't you, Mr. Arthur? Come right in.' I led him down the hall" (277).



Scout and Jem certainly never participated in any of the superstitious legends, myths, or rumors associated with Boo Radley after that. They learned that he is a good man and shouldn't be treated like a verbal punching bag for the town gossips.

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