Why do the children play the “Radley Game?” What does it reveal about them (together and individually)? - Pappendick


Dill, Jem, and Scout are slowly becoming less 
scared and more curious about Boo Radley as 
the days go on. They are always lurking around the 
neighborhood searching for clues about what Boo is 
up to and why he won’t come out. The reason they 
play the “Radley Game” is because they are so curious 
about the family. They want to learn more about their lifestyle 
so they try and act out their life so they can derive a better understanding of them. 
After the children had gotten bored of playing the same game, 
Jem announced an idea of a new different and game, 
“‘I know what we are going to play,’ he announced. ‘Something 
new, something different.’ ‘What?’ asked Dill. ‘Boo Radley.’ Jems 
head at times was transparent: he had thought that up to make 
me understand he wasn’t afraid of Radleys in any shape or form, 
to contrast his own fearless heroism with my cowardice” (43). Harper 
Lee has the children play the “Radley Game” to show that they are 
becoming less afraid of the Radleys. It is showing individually that 
they are all growing out of their fears and trying to solve the real mystery 
of the Radleys by stepping in their shoes.
If it were completely up to Scout she would not be playing in these games. 
She is only merely tagging along to prove to Jem, and Dill that she is not scared, 
but she knows inside sheis. Scout is probably the most scared out of the three since she is the youngest. 
She is individually growing from this experience because she is becoming 
brave from taking on tasks she would not have before. 

Questions:
Why are the children so curious about Boo Radley?
Why does Harper Lee have the children play the "Radley Game"?
Do you think in the future Boo Radley will be nice or mean?

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2019 at 5:30 PM

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2019 at 5:34 PM

    The children are so curious about the Radley’s because there aren’t any interesting things going on in their small town in Southern Alabama. They don’t really have any gossip to talk about so that is why people start spreading rumors, especially Ms. Stephanie Crawford. This belief that Boo Radley is like a monster started because of Ms. Stephanie Crawford and Scout, Jem and Dill as children believe this rumor. That is why they want to find out the truth about Boo. If he’s actually a psycho who stabs his own leg without a care in the world or if he’s more human-like like Miss Maudie describes him. So far based on what I’ve read, it seems like the Radley family has a lot of secrets more than just Boo, and that is not only making me curious but also Scout and Jem.

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