Discussion Topic
Mrs. Radley's Death Disappoints Jem and Scout
Summary:
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Mrs. Radley's death disappoints Jem and Scout because it lacks the drama they expected. They had imagined that Boo Radley, whom they viewed as a sinister figure, might have harmed her, reinforcing their belief in the local myths about him. However, Mrs. Radley's death from natural causes reveals the Radleys' social isolation and the children's misconceptions. The event has little impact on the community, reflecting the Radleys' outsider status in Maycomb.
How does Mrs. Radley's death in To Kill a Mockingbird affect the community and disappoint Jem and Scout?
The death of Mrs. Radley is important for two reasons. First of all, it reveals the distinct social and cultural hierarchy that exists in Maycomb. The Radleys are looked down upon by respectable society on account of their religion as "foot-washing" Baptists. This makes them a class apart, widely excoriated as religious fanatics and extremists. As such, Mrs. Radley's death is generally treated with indifference by the local townsfolk. They never knew her, on account of her social isolation; but then, they never wanted to know her, either.
Secondly, Mrs. Radley's death highlights just how the Radley family remains a source of mystery and local legend to the townsfolk, especially to the children. At this stage in the story, Boo Radley is still Maycomb's resident boogie man to Scout and Jem . They still see him as that weird, creepy guy who once stabbed his old man with a pair...
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of scissors. So they're more than a little disappointed to learn that Mrs. Radley actually died of natural causes; it spoils the rich fantasy world they've built around Boo.
In "To Kill a Mockingbird," what disappoints Jem and Scout about Mrs. Radley's death?
Actually, Jem and Scout were disappointed at the cause of old Mrs. Radley's death because the children had assumed that Boo would one day try to harm her just as he had once injured his father when he stabbed the old man with a pair of scissors.
Jem and I decided that Boo had got her at last, but when Atticus returned from the Radley house he said she died of natural causes, much to our disappointment.
The disappointment didn't end there. When the children decided to try and pry some information about Boo from their father, Scout was nominated to ask the question.
"Atticus," I said, "did you see Mr. Arthur?"
Atticus "sternly" replied that "I did not," leaving Jem and Scout with no new news about the "malevolent phantom" who lived inside the house.