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Book Discussion: To Kill A Mockingbird

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Book Discussion: To Kill A Mockingbird
Allyn Joyce Esguerra
April 23, 2015
Block D

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

1. What was the knothole of the tree symbolizes and how it is significant?

The knothole of the tree serves as a secret communication between Boo and the children. It symbolizes about friendship and kindness. It is the way that Boo tried to reach out with Scout and Jem also by putting different items in it. This tells us that Boo Radley wanted to make friends with Scout and Jem and also to let them know that he is not what the community thought he is. The knothole in the tree was important in the story because without the knothole, Jem and Scout may not have been able to make contact with Boo and they have never realized that Boo is not a bad character as they thought he may be.

2. Why does Nathan Radley abuses his brother?

Nathan Radley is the older brother of Boo Radley so he lived the house with an abusive father longer than Boo. When their father died, Nathan becomes like his father to Boo. We saw his cruelty when he plugged the hole, cutting off Boo’s only outlet to the outside world. Not only is his father the reason on why he is like that, maybe also because of their religion. In chapter 5 Miss Maudie describes Mr. Radley, Boo’s father, as a “foot-washing” Baptist who believed that pleasure was sin. Maybe that’s also one of the reasons why he locked up Boo in the house, to keep him from woman or anything that makes him feel pleasure.

3. Why is Atticus one of the only people who doesn’t engage in the rumors of Boo Radley?

I think one of the reasons why Atticus doesn’t engage in the rumors of Boo Radly is because he is a lawyer. He doesn’t judge anyone just because of a rumor and he values honesty and respect. That’s what he is trying to teach to his children, that’s why he got mad whenever Jem and Scout tried to get engaged with the Radleys. Also, as a lawyer of the small town of Maycomb, he probably knows more about the Radleys than almost anyone else in the town.
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