Saturday, May 9, 2015

What's the symbolism behind every one of Boo's gifts to Jem and Scout?

Actually, I think all these answers are correct.  Radley tells Jim that the tree is diseased.  Radley views the Family tree as being diseased by the presence of Boo and Boo's alleged mental illness.  Keep in mind, that Radley gave up his already established life, to return home and maintain his father's old routines.  For Radley, Boo is the end of normal life.

However, Atticus, who is undoubtedly the voice of reason in the novel, recognizes that Boo is healthy in mind and body.  Atticus understands that Boo is simply a product of his environment.  Therefore he sees that the tree is healthy, in spite of the knot-hole scar.

The cement, like Boo's imprisonment, is simply a way to cover up the imperfections of the family and the tree.

This upsets Jem, because he begins to understand that Boo is a victim, not the villainous cat-eater of neighborhood legend.

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