To Kill a Mockingbird
In stories of almost any kind, a character will undergo a “learning” process, and there are usually many other characters that support, add to, and affect this learning process. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the narrative character Scout goes on a metaphorical journey, or a learning process, to learn about the behavior of the general public. From a childhood innocence where life is virtually perfect, save for a few childish squabbles, Scout’s life changes when her father Atticus takes on a case defending an African-American against rape charges laid by a Caucasian. Because the story is set in the Southern United States during the 1930’s, Scout learns the hard way about society’s racial intolerance. She finds out that the world is not always a nice place to be, and that people do not always live according to morals. Many valuable lessons are imposed on Scout, most of which drastically affect her learning process. A few key characters in the story who “teach” Scout various lessons, and effect her learning process are Arthur Radley, Dolphus Raymond, and Atticus Finch. They all in their own way have an effect on Scout’s learning; however, some of these valuable lessons are the same. One of the people who had an effect on Scout’s learning is Arthur “Boo” Radley. Radley is a resident of Maycomb, whom no one has seen for years. There is a large amount of speculation about the reason he chooses to live in isolation; and more speculation on whether he chose at all. Many believe he was locked up by his older relative, Nathan Radley. Scout and her peers have produced countless theories on why Radley is so secluded. However, the majority of these theories do not do Radley justice, to say the least. Through the children’s efforts to explain Radley’s behavior, they painted an ugly picture of what he might be like in person. At one point in the story, Scout’s brother Jem exclaims “‘I hope you’ve got it through your head that he’ll kill us each and every one’” (p. 13). Consequently, they grow to be terrified of Arthur Radley. Although he might be considered an unlikely choice as a “teacher” for Scout, Radley definitely influences her learning. Scout grows up in Maycomb with an image of Radley as a monster. This image is shared by nearly all of her peers in Maycomb, cementing it in her mind even further. But as the story goes on, Scout starts to realize that Arthur Radley is not as “evil” a person as she once thought. Radley begins to secretly give them gifts, and once mended Scout’s brother Jem’s pants when he lost and ripped them in Radley’s yard. One night when Scout is outside witnessing a house burning down on a cold night, Arthur quietly approaches behind her and places a blanket over her shoulders.