Tuesday 3 March 2015

What specific instructions does Miss Maudie give Scout?

In Chapter 5 Miss Maudie instructs Scout to not refer to their neighbor as "Boo," but to call him by his first name, Arthur.


Scout and Jem have the free run of Miss Maudie's front yard as long as they do not step on her azaleas. Often Miss Maudie gives the children cake and talks with them, as well. One summer evening as Scout sits with her sweet neighbor watching the resplendent sunset, Scout asks...

In Chapter 5 Miss Maudie instructs Scout to not refer to their neighbor as "Boo," but to call him by his first name, Arthur.


Scout and Jem have the free run of Miss Maudie's front yard as long as they do not step on her azaleas. Often Miss Maudie gives the children cake and talks with them, as well. One summer evening as Scout sits with her sweet neighbor watching the resplendent sunset, Scout asks her, "Miss Maudie,...do you think Boo Radley's still alive?" Quickly, Miss Maudie corrects Scout, "His name's Arthur and he's alive." Further, Miss Maudie contends that Arthur simply stays in his house, "that's all." She adds, "Wouldn't you stay in the house if you didn't want to come out?"


This episode reveals the true charitableness of Miss Maudie, whose character mirrors that of Atticus Finch. For, she practices "climbing into the skin" of others and trying to understand how they personally feel. Her sympathies extend to all, and she is repulsed by the sanctimonious hypocrisy of the "footwashing Baptists" such as Mr. Radley, to whom she alludes in telling Scout about Arthur.

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