Sunday, September 23, 2018
Chapter 8/9: How did Scout end up with a blanket across her shoulders? Why would Harper Lee include this moment in the book?(Randall)
The strange blanket that appeared on Scout's back was placed there by Boo Radley. Harper Lee included this scene in the book to show that Boo Radley isn't a scary guy who kills people if he sees them. The kids have been playing the Boo Radley game and they were scared of him and his house. In the earlier chapters scout dared Jem to touch the house, Jem did it but was of course scared because the Radley house is known to be this creepy/scary place because they almost never come out of their house. When Scout and Jem were ordered to go in front of the Radley house to stay away from the fire, and report if the wind was blowing so they knew which direction the fire was going Boo Radley quickly went a put the blanket around Scout's shoulders. Scout didn't realize this because she was so distracted with the fire. When scout finds out Boo Radley put it around er shoulder's she has a sort of negative reaction,"My stomach turned to water and I nearly threw up when Jem held out the blanket and crept towards me"(Lee,96). She had a disgusted reaction that such a strange scary man put a blanket around her but this scene shows the reader and Scout that Boo Radley will do no harm to them and it also changes their mindset of Boo Radley. Not only is he not this scary guy he is portrayed as in the story but he is a friendly helpful neighbor that people don't pay attention to because he is not active as the others.
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I think Jem and Scout have been witnessing more and more of Aurthor/Boo's kindness as the book progresses. From the beginning of the book when it is purely rumors that have been surrounding this house for years, naturally as kids, Jem, Scout, and Dill have a drawn curiosity towards the mysterious man. As we assumed in chapter seven, Boo Radley sewed Jems pants together and politely folded them across the fence for Jem. He also continues leaving small gifts for the children that he knows they will enjoy. Then finally in this chapter where terror has arose and the children stand feeling helpless and watch in fear and wonder at the burning house, Boo extends yet another helping hand to them to show that he is watching over them. He has been acting as a silent helper and type of guardian angle for the children as the book progresses.
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