Passage Analysis - to Kill a Mockingbird

This passage, extracted from the closing chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird, effectively concludes the intended purpose of Harper Lee; to present Maycomb society's malevolent phantom (p14) as different from the reader's earlier perceptions of him. He had earlier had been described cynical ,attempting nocturnal acts that seemed morbid and terrorized the town.

"He almost whispered it, in the voice of a child afraid of the dark" (line12) influences the readers to evoke upon the misconception made by the town about Boo. Merely, at first Boo is referred as a source of childhood superstition, illustrated to be lunatic. The descriptive conversations display the curiosity of the Finch children, Jem and Scout along with their friend from Meridian, Dill, which helps the reader to foreshadow a change. The effect of this contrast compels the development of Boo regarded recluse at first, and now, intrudingly real to be acknowledged as their close companion, "Boo was our neighbor" (line32).

The informal language and use of conversation further characterizes the cycle of events Scout has lived through. Lee's colloquial style is showcased with the main use of constructive symbolism, 'two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives (line32-33) This symbolizes the way in which Boo is ostracized and oppressed by his family but, compelled to his neighbors, the Finch family.

Scout's narration of abrupt moments of indirect interactions with Boo before, and direct now, helps the reader gets a sense of how this enriching moment will benefit her while growing up. Scout, now having her experience in the novel, destroys of evil and gain faith in goodness, Lee's purpose of highlighting the effects of negative stereotyping on growing children is shown. Not only has Boo become a real person to her, but in saving the children's lives he has also provided concrete proof that goodness exists in powerful and unexpected forms, just as evil does. She realizes the rule of give and take where the duty of neighbors must give in return, "We never put back into the tree what we took out of it: we had given him nothing and it made me sad"

(line35).

Concluding towards the end of the passage, the blossoming of Scout's ability to assume another person's perspective sympathetically is portrayed. This is done through Lee's novel-long development writing techniques in order for Scouts' character that helps the reader understand To Kill a Mockingbird's moral outlook as a whole.