Chapter 31 of To Kill a Mockingbird allows the reader to see the shyness and awkwardness of Boo Radley. Scout notices that "every move he made was uncertain, as if he were not sure his hands and feet could make proper contact with the things he touched." Taking notice of how uncomfortable Boo seems, Scout attempts to help him by communicating for him. For example, Scout interprets his nod towards the door as an indication that Boo would like to see Jem before he leaves. She feels that she is, "beginning to learn his body English."

Boo holds Scout's hand and asks her if she can take him home in an almost childlike voice. Scout walks him to the steps on the porch and then stops. She then thinks to herself, "I would lead him through our house, but I would never lead him home." Scout takes his arm and allows him to escort her. This way, according to Scout, if Miss Stephanie Crawford is watching, she will see Mr. Radley escorting her, "as any gentleman would do." The reader sees evidence of Scout's maturity, her willingness to at least sometimes act like a lady, and her compassion towards Boo.

In chapter 31 of To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee the reader is seeing the maturity of Scout.  The climax of the story has been reached and Jem is safe in bed.  Boo (Arthur) Radley asks Scout to walk him home.  She asks him to step down and raise his arm. Boo has to stoop down for Scout to reach him, but she puts her arm inside the crook of his arm and they walk to the Radley house in a genteel manner.  This is just one indication as to how much Scout has matured over the summer.  She no longer makes fun of Boo, she now walks hand in hand with him until they arrive at his door.  When they arrive Scout tells the reader that Boo opened the door went in and she never saw him again.

The maturational motif is evident again when Scout says that “there wasn’t much else left for us to learn, except possibly algebra.” Scout has matured and has learned to stand in others' shoes. The repetition of a statement by Atticus is important here: “you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes.”