The Good Neighbor

“Neighbors bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between. Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good luck pennies, and our lives. But neighbors 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” (Lee, 373).

Boo Radley was the perfect example of a good neighbor. When Scout got the chance to stand in Boo’s shoes and take a walk around, she learned he was just being nothing but their neighbor. Seeing her own memories in Boo Radley’s perspective gives Scout the feeling that he saw them as his own children, and that they were his to protect. Maturity is beaming through Scout when she steps back and realizes how much she’s learned this year, and its impact on her as an individual. Scout’s experiences shaped her identity in critical ways, and Harper Lee teaches us lessons about life and living through these events.

Standing on Boo Radley’s porch and taking a walk in his shoes was quite the experience for Scout. “One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them” (Lee, 374). Atticus’ advice was used by Scout, and she learned that Boo Radley was a good neighbor. Her identity is given a greater and more meaningful depth to it. Harper Lee is showing us that taking metaphors literally can have a greater effect than figuratively.

Scout has the chance to realize that Boo Radley has his own perspective on each of her memories. He sees Scout and her brother Jem as his own children”…and his children played…and his children fought…and his children trotted to and fro…and his children shivered…and he watched his children’s heart break” (Lee, 374). This repetition used by the author, supplies Scout with the knowledge and power taken from looking at everything through different perspectives. Boo Radley was subconsciously being a good neighbor with hopes of nothing in return, and Scout realizes she did not do her part of being a good neighbor in return. This is and ad hominem because Scout argues with herself.

The development of Scouts identity and knowledge throughout these events has, and forever will, impact her character. When she thinks she has learned all that there is to life she remembers there is still algebra, the basics. By stepping back and self examining her maturity over these experiences, her identity truly becomes stronger. Taking a look at herself through unbiased eyes gave Scout the chance to fully develop her identity.

Identity is shaped through experiences, and through those events we learn about living and life. The experiences that shaped the character’s lives in this novel include Scout’s opportunity to stand and walk in Boo Radley’s shoes, how Boo saved lives, and Scout’s chance to see lives through Boo Radley’s perspective. When Scout took a walk in Boo Radley’s shoes she realized he was displaying the characteristics of a good neighbor. She failed to return the favors, and she was disappointed with herself. Along with this, she took a chance to step back and look at her memories through Boo’s eyes. She truly developed her identity and learned valuable lessons about living and life throughout this storyline.

Works Cited

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: HarperCollins, 1995. Print

Reflection

With this book report, I have grown as a neighbor. With reading this book and writing this report, I have learned several real life values. Neighbors are always there. Neighbors give in return. Neighbors will always have their neighbors back. The main lesson I have learned is to always explore the other perspective.

Neighbors are always there, and sometimes you won’t even notice it. When you aren’t sure if you are alone, remember that your neighbors are always there. “They bring food with death and flowers with sickness and little things in between.” (To Kill a Mocking Bird, 373). Neighbors are the best of friends, the family that lives nearby, and all those people you encounter each day. While not always noticed, neighbors’ actions are always a blessing. In return of everything a neighbor does, be sure to just be the best neighbor you can be. Give without expecting anything in return. Lastly, always be there for your neighbors, because they have got your back. Even if all your interactions the last week have been a wave when pulling put the garage, be ready to drop it all for your neighbor. Think what they would do if the situation was flipped.

In conclusion, look for those odd and individualized perspectives. They are out there. Whether it be the teacher who greets you every morning, or you niece who calls every now and then just to keep you in the mix. Think about the way they are seeing life. Each and every person sees the same story of life play out, but each has a different view point to tell it from.

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