To Kill a Mockingbird
How do Jem and Scout feel about the Radley place?
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Jem and Scout are fascinated by the Radley place.
To Kill a Mockingbird
They are both 'fascinated' and fearful of it. The Radley place is a symbol of the unknown and of whatever exciting myths you'd tell your friends when you were young, believing in anything stupid and scary, just 'cause it's fun. In reality, they are initially terrified of Boo Radley because they are naive enough to believe the stories and join in with the fun of it all. However, naturally, they are also curious about the 'great unknown'. -When told not to do something, you instantly want to do that thing, just as the kids do when they are told by Atticus to leave the house alone. But, as evident from when they are playing the game with the tyre and other examples, they see the Radley place as a scary, threatening place - somewhere only the bravest dare to go. But by the end of the book, they realise Boo is a good person and are instantly comfortable with it all. - Proof of how the community/society can poison even (and especially) children's views.