Character Analysis: The Man Named Boo

“The Man Named Boo” The author created Arthur “Boo” Radley and made Scout, the narrator, fear him. Boo was always a mysterious character throughout the novel. He was never seen and was often times feared by the neighborhood children. They would run by the Radley house every day in hopes to make it past without Boo coming out to get them. Boo was the character that was always a mystery, but in the end, surprised everyone. Very little was known about Boo. The children learnt that when Boo was young, he stabbed his father with scissors. The consequences of Boo’s actions landed him in the basement of the town’s jail. Eventually, Boo was sent home and lived in isolation for many years. Even Boo’s relatives lived in secrecy from the outside world.
At the end of the novel, Boo saved Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell. Bob tried killing the two children as they made their way home from the Halloween party. When Boo seen this, he jumped in and stabbed Bob, killing him. When the sheriff investigated further, he found Boo stabbed Bob, but said Bob fell on his knife. Some may say this was justice being done. Others may believe Boo should have answered for the murder of Bob. The utter surprise of Boo’s heroism turns the novel around and sets it up for a happier ending, keeping in mind that an innocent black man was wrongfully accused for a crime he didn’t commit. The children see that Boo was trying to be a friend by giving them things throughout the story. Atticus thanks him for the lives of his children and Boo helps Atticus grow closer to his children. Boo turns out to be the hero of the story and really surprises the readers.