The Angel Behind the Monster

The Maycomb Monster, is what the children of Maycomb County call him. He never comes out of his house, but when he does, he kills everyone in his path. He smells of bright red blood and lifeless creatures. A long jagged scar runs across the right side of his face, and his teeth seem as if he never learned how to clean them. According to the towns people, this is true. But really, who is Boo Radley? In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, the author introduces Boo Radley as the mysterious man down the street, but as the book goes on, you start to see the real Boo, a powerful greatness, hidden behind his sheets of evil. Boo Radley has a big impact on the kids Jem and Scout. The first time they heard about Boo, the rumor was he was forced to stay on the inside walls of his home. But as life goes on, they start to receive gifts from him. And at the very end of the book, Boo Radley saves the two kids from Bob Ewell's attempted to kill Jem and Scout. It was then, that the two realized that the real reason Boo always stayed inside his house, was because he just wanted to be inside. As Boo Radley starts to show who he really is, Jem and Scout turn from innocent little children, to young adults that know not to judge people by the rumors they hear. Throughout the story, Boo Radley's image changes. At first he seems to be just another average character, but then at the end he becomes more of a dynamic character who overcomes a change in society. He begins a monster, absolutely no one can be near, who then changes into a goodhearted citizen of Maycomb. As you see him change as a person, his image also changes. The theme of innocence carries on throughout the whole book. It's first shown by Scout and Jem, two kids, not aware of the big world ahead of them. Next it's shown through Tom Robinson who was obviously innocent at his court trial, but pledge guilty. And finally, Boo Radley is an excellent example of innocence. He is introduced as the Maycomb Monster until the kids find the real him. They see the good person who can over look all the rumors and find a friend at last. Even though Boo Radley isn’t the main focus in the book, he is always there, showing Jem and Scout write from wrong, in a hidden way. The rumors and legends were spread on until Boo became known as the monster. So who really was Boo Radley? He is always just the ordinary man, trying to find his place in the world.